The day begins in Eddyville at Shotgun Eddy's.

The stage concludes at High Knob Campground.

Our last full day on the River-to-River Trail features one of the route's biggest highlights, but you're going to have to work hard for it! After an initial northward push from Eddyville, the RTR quickly gets back onto trails, following the Lusk Creek Trail as it weaves through the woods. After a very short stretch on Raum Rd, it's straight back to the footpaths, skirting the edge of Benham Hill and then continuing through One Horse Gap.

Through some odd trail magic, you'll rejoin Raum Rd heading northward, after previously following Raum Rd southward, south of this current encounter. (Many a hiker, I'm sure, has been tempted by the obvious short-cut of following Raum Rd all the way through, but you'd miss out on some geological marvels!) Continue on to Herod, where the church offers a covered picnic area that makes for a much-appreciated rest stop. 

Don't wait too long, though! That major highlight is just ahead--Illinois's version of Garden of the Gods is your next stop on the RTR, and you'll definitely want some time to check out the lovely formations. Eventually, though, you'll need to push through those last few miles to High Knob.

Support: A support vehicle will be accessible at Raum Rd (15 miles), Herod (26.2 miles), and Garden of the Gods (32 miles). Water will be available to top off bottles, along with all necessary participant gear. 

Take Heed: The River-to-River Trail can get overgrown and waterlogged in places in the offseason, so be ready for potentially difficult conditions if there has been inclement weather recently.