Scouting in Shawnee Natl. Forest

[kvanderploeg]

Well, we did some scouting around to find some old trails in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois this weekend. We'd take the 4Runner in as far as legally possible, and then hike in further to examine the old trails. Lots of great scenery and it offers up a little variety of everthing.

Here's one of the Runner on an earth dam looking below the dam:

And here's one above the dam:

Here are a couple parked next to one of the Forest Ranger's trucks after we've hiked in and have done some scouting around.

Here's the 4Runner packed to the gills as we finish up a water break.

This one shows the scale of the amazing rock formations that were never touched by the glaciers of the ice age.

And one more of the three of us taking a break on a natural arch.

All around a great trip, and I even managed to sleep in the back of the 4Runner without cramping up, and I'm 6'4". Enjoy!

 

[sharp4runr]

Nice pics

 

[Atomic 4Runner]

Nice photos, and I'm glad to hear you could sleep in the back. I'm 6'3 and have an '06 4R Ltd. on order and wondered if the back would be big enough for sleeping (vs. reclining in the driver's seat?) Thanks for the info.

 

[Falls]

Looks like a nice little excursion , nice pics !!!