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Cache River Hiking Trip 2008 (8)
Located in the Southern most part of Illinois, Cache River State Natural Area offers a unique glimpse into the natural history of Southern Illinois. Encompassing 14,489 acres the area offers hiking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and bird watching opportunities.
- Box Turtle
Cache River is home to a multitude of wildlife. Some are endangered outside Cache River, such as the bird-voiced tree frog and the river otter, others are more common like this box turtle. Listen to the bird-voiced tree frog
- Heron Pond
One of the areas in Upper Cache River is Heron Pond. Only 1/2 mile hike into the upper cache river area, this area offers wide clear trails that are easy to navigate.
- Heron Pond Plants
These lush green plants decided to make this rotting log their home.
- Heron Pond Trees
Rising out of the duckweed, cypress and tupelo trees dominate Heron Pond. The floating boardwalk allows one to trek into the heart of the swamp.
- Lower Cache River Area
The Lower Cache offers the best opportunity for canoeing. This area has a picnic area and boat ramp and includes a marked canoe trail up to 6 miles long.
- Red Flower
The soggy nature of Heron Pond provides perfect conditions for interesting flora. Most of Illinois' swamp land and wet praries were drained and cleared to make the land suitable for farming and development. Illinois Native Plant Guide
- State Champion Bald Cypress
Cache River is home to several state champion trees, This State Champion Bald Cypress is located in the Lower Cache River and streches over 73 feet with a base over 34 feet in circumference. This tree was over 500 years old when Columbus landed in the New World. State Champion Bald Cypress
- State Champion Cherrybark Oak
Hiking through the Upper Cache River Area you will see old growth forest, including this Cherrybark Oak tree whose mass and girth earned it state champion status. It's circumference is over 22 feet and it's height over 100 feet.