Midwest Hang?

[fin]

Is there any interest in calling a Northern Mississippi Valley / Midwest Hang, and does anyone have any good suggestions for location? Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan circumference?

[GrizzlyAdams]

Is there any interest in calling a Northern Mississippi Valley / Midwest Hang, and does anyone have any good suggestions for location? Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan circumference?

I've been eyeing the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois as a possible location for camping but haven't gotten there yet. I believe you can rough camp off trail. That's a bit far though for MN and WI.

Location-wise, the Starved Rock State Park in IL would work for you, me, and perhaps IA folks. About 50 miles south-west-west from Chicago. Camping in a standard camp ground but with some nice short walks with river views nearby. Key issue is that I'm unsure about IL DNR attitude towards hammocks.

I wonder if there is somewhere deeper north in WI, up into the Dells maybe?

Grizz

[cavediver2]

I've been eyeing the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois as a possible location for camping but haven't gotten there yet. I believe you can rough camp off trail. That's a bit far though for MN and WI.

Location-wise, the Starved Rock State Park in IL would work for you, me, and perhaps IA folks. About 50 miles south-west-west from Chicago. Camping in a standard camp ground but with some nice short walks with river views nearby. Key issue is that I'm unsure about IL DNR attitude towards hammocks.

I wonder if there is somewhere deeper north in WI, up into the Dells maybe?

Grizz

How about you and I putting togeather something at garden of the god's or fern cliff?

[Mule]

How about you and I putting togeather something at garden of the god's or fern cliff?

I have backpacked Garden of the Gods, but what is Fern Cliff? Google doesn't even know the place.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Mule, have you ever hiked the trail along the south edge of Salomonie Reservior (see maps.google.com coordinates 40.784701,-85.624008 ). Not far from you at all.

About 20 miles long. Good for hanging lots of places along the way, although stealth might be needed. There is a campground about mid-way where one could rent sites, pitch tents, and disappear!

Grizz

[GrizzlyAdams]

FishingFinn- what about either the Northern or Southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest? Both near you. Both list backpacking trails and camping sites with shelters. No hanging allowed?

Grizz

[canoebie]

Mule, have you ever hiked the trail along the south edge of Salomonie Reservior (see maps.google.com coordinates 40.784701,-85.624008 ). Not far from you at all.

About 20 miles long. Good for hanging lots of places along the way, although stealth might be needed. There is a campground about mid-way where one could rent sites, pitch tents, and disappear!

Grizz

I used to live in huntington and worked as a waterfront director at Salamonie Reservoir in the early 70's. I am guessing DNR would crack down hard on any camping not in a designated area. It would seem prudent to check with the DNR field office before doing it. They will arrest and then ask questions. Conservation Officers in Indiana have more jurisdiction than police officers, and at least in my experience, they do not hesitate to use it. My $.02.

David

[cavediver2]

I have backpacked Garden of the Gods, but what is Fern Cliff? Google doesn't even know the place.

because as I always do I spelled it wrong my spelling sucks

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...83950&t=h&z=15

and here is the illinois DNR site with some pictures as well
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R5/FERNE.HTM

[fin]

Wow, all the cool places to hang in Illinois seem to be south of St. Louis!! Like I said, it's possible, it would just take an extra day or two for me to do it.

Grizz, the Kettle Moraine has several campgrounds, but the trails are very fractured and don't necessarily run through or close to the campgrounds. It's a great place to hike, and a great winter camping spot, but I've never done it without snow. Most camping would be stealth, and sections of it see a lot of traffic due to it's fractured nature.

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/kms/

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/spe...indatrail.html

Actually, I've been in the Yellow River area in Iowa before, but never hiking. It definitely has possibilities.

[Mule]

There is also the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. I have also hike once in the Shawnee. That's pretty too. I would be interested in going anywhere you all decide, but if you do ever want to come to Indiana, I could host the hike, planning, etc. Mule