River to River Trail (IL)

[Pretzel]

Anyone know the FKT or OKT for the River to River Trail?

[rtock]

I don't know what the fastest time is. It would be somewhat hard to establish an fkt for this trail due to some portions of it having been rerouted over the years. In some spots, such as within the lusk creek wilderness area, there are areas where the old and new trail diverge/converge and intermingle with equestrian trails that are poorly marked.

That's not to say that these problems can't be remedied and an fkt can't be established. I'm planning to run the whole trail in one go, probably winter 2015/2016. Not to set any fkt, but just as a challenge and experience I've wanted to accomplish for awhile now. Are you planning on an FKT attempt, Pretzel?

[robu]

Let us know if you give the FKT a go this winter. (I'm intrigued by the River to River trail)

[Mike Summers]

I hiked a yo-yo of the River to River trail March 23 – April 4, 2016. I managed 6 days, 2 hours on the westbound return trip. Wasn't going for a FKT, but haven't heard of anyone else who hiked it faster.

www.improbablebutpossible.com/rivertorivertrail/

[Matt Halfar (SoftWalker)]

I am going to claim a supported FKT of the R2R Trail. 4 folks from my local running club (The Buffalo) attempted a Westbound 4-day stage walk/run with 2 people finishing. Start day and time: Friday 10/21/2016 5:26am; Finish: Monday 10/24/2016 5:14pm. 3 days, 11 hours, 48 minutes. No GPS data to support but have witnesses (other runners and crew)

[bollmannt]

This will again be unofficial due to the trail changing constantly and not having a GPS tracker but here we go. I started my unsupported hike at Elizabethtown on May 20, 2017 at 10:40 am and ended at Grand Tower on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 8:16 PM. This makes the total time 5 days, 9 hours and 36 minutes. Someone go out there and beat it!

[Saxon]

Looking to Attempt the trail with GPS and do a solid effort in 2nd week of September

[mwavs]

Anyone know of an outfitter or anyone to provide shuttle service in the area?

[mwavs]

Gonna try for an fkt attempt this weekend if I don't get eaten by the solstice crazies. Will post gpx file if successful.

[austinbeck]

Going for an unsupported fkt attempt. Starting on Sunday morning from Elizabethtown. I am going to use an iphone app (either alltrails or gaia) to record my trek.

[thebriankearney]

good luck!

[Matt Halfar]

Going to going to give an unsupported fkt a go. Planning to start in Elizabethtown 11/02/17.

[matthalfar]

Trip Report: River to River Trail unsupported fkt attempt

Start Thursday Nov. 2, 2017 in Elizabethtown @ 2:16pm central daylight savings time
Finish Monday Nov. 6, 2017 in Grand Tower @ 1:21pm central standard time

Total time 4 days, 0 hours, 5 minutes (one hour added for time change)

Thursday morning, I dropped my Van off at Devil's Backbone Park campground then got a ride to Elizabethtown with my friend's dad.

I started at the Ohio River in Elizabethtown with all supplies for the trip. Weather was warm (nearly 70 degrees and humid) and trail conditions were muddy. Hiked to a little beyond Garden of the Gods, then bivied for a few hours in a pine forest from ~ 10pm to 3am, rode out a thunderstorm wrapped in my poncho. When the rain stopped, I started hiking again. Stopped for a short nap before daylight at the creek crossing just after the road walk out of Herod. When daylight broke continued on through One Horse Gap area and road walk to Lusk Creek Wilderness area. Took about an hour nap around noon at Eastern edge of Lusk Creek Wilderness area. Weather was cooler (60's) but still fairly warm and humid. In the Eastern half of Lusk Creek I followed a blue ribboned route (no trail) which I believe is the future R2R trail before picking up the established trail in the Western half of Lusk Creek area. (There have been a lot of changes to the trails in this area the past several years). Continued on the road walk through Eddyville, getting back in the forest around dark. Continued to first major creek crossing where there is an established horse camp. Bivied under a rock shelter for several hours near creek crossing before continuing on around 4am. Weather on Saturday was similar (~60 and humid) hiking until around noon before taking a short nap and self-massage my legs; I felt like I was starting to burn out my legs. Continued on to Dutchman Creek Lake, where my legs were nearly toast but hiked about another mile to the pine forest South-West of the lake and camped here (sadly making camp before 6pm, hoping I could have hiked until at least 10pm). Started hiking again a few hours before dawn to my legs feeling great! Entered Fern Cliff State Park around sunrise got through the Eastern and Western sides of Fern Cliff, then took a short break before the long rod walk toward Panthers Den. Weather Sunday was similar again (~60 and humid). Continued through Crab Orchard and arrived at Giant City State Park around dark. Continued through the park with about an hour break under a rock shelter to ride out a thunderstorm. Continued on road walk through Makanda back to National Forest then camping for a few hours in a pine forest about a mile before the ford across Cedar Lake. Another pre-dawn start, weather much cooler and windier after the previous thunderstorm. Hiked straight through to the Mississippi River at Devil's Backbone Park in Grand Tower arriving 5 minutes behind my goal time of less than 4 days. I guess I've got to be pretty happy with that. I think I could cut up to 12 hours off this time just by being more disciplined with sleep and think sub-3 days time might be possible for me if everything would go well; someone get out there and crush it!

I did take some GPS tracks with a smartphone and Samsung health app. Drained my 2 batteries in the first 2 days, however and have no data after that.