Driving south from Interstate 64 in Southwest Illinois on Route 127, one crosses a rolling landscape of scenic farmlands. Just south of Murphysboro, this route enters the westernmost portion of Shawnee National Forest, where forested hills characterize the geography.
Today, we headed for the Little Grand Canyon, southwest of Murphysboro. A National Natural Landmark, this box canyon is 300 feet deep, opening at the edge of the Shawnee Hills uplift. A "one mile trail" undulates out to the main overlook; unfortunately, since the trees had leafed out, views of the canyon were limited today but a broad view, extending across the Mississippi River lowlands to the river hills of Missouri (photo) was worth the effort.
After spending the night in Marion, we'll make a circuit to several other geographic highlights in the western portion of the Shawnee National Forest. A summary of that excursion will be published tomorrow.
