GC25PM0 Hogg Bluff (Traditional Cache) in Illinois, United States created by GEO.JOE

This cache has been archived.

GEO.JOE: I have removed the cache because caches are no longer allowed in Wilderness areas, Heritage sites or natural areas in SNF
SNF geocaching policy: http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/shawnee/fsm//2357-2012-1.docx

Here is a map of the managed Areas: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5151587.pdf

GC25PM0 ▼

A cache by GEO.JOE Message this owner

Hidden : 3/28/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Hogg Bluff is a spectacular round bluff that is almost surrounded by water. The cache is located on top of the bluff with great views of the water and the horseshoe shaped valley. Easy trail to the cache with a hill to climb to get to the top of the bluff.

Hogg Bluff is one of the 11 known Woodland/Mississippian Indian Stoneforts that are located in Shawnee National Forest. These sites are thought to have be used as religious sites or points along trade routes. However, very little evidence of the stonefort still exists. The stonefort sites were chosen because they had limited access to the bluff top. Along the top of the bluff at the access points the Indians would have built a stone wall to control access to the site. As you ascend to the top of the bluff you will see a scattering of stones on the hillside. When you reach the point above the top of the bluff look to your right and left and you will see some of the stones that are the remains of the stone wall that would have been 6 ft high and 6 ft thick.

When the, now long-gone, railroad was built the horseshoe shaped valley was dammed creating a shallow lake that surrounds 3 sides of Hogg Bluff. Ozark Creek is just on the other side of the trail so you are able to see water from all sides of Hogg Bluff.
The trail leading to Hogg Bluff is an abandoned RR track so the .60 mile walk to the base of the bluff is relatively easy. There are some muddy areas after rain and a beaver has dammed the spillway so the lake now floods a couple hundred feet of the trail after rains. There is room to park one vehicle at the trail head N37 29.742 W88 45.467. There is more parking and primitive camping available just across the street at the parking coordinates for Buffalo Bluff cache.

Access to Hogg bluff from the north is also possible from Camp Ondessonk http://www.ondessonk.com/ via .75 mile walk down their Cinder Trail. Permission is needed to be on Camp Ondessonk property. Call first to get permission if you want to hike in from the north or if you want to hike into the Camp.