Hiking with Shawn Blog
Welcome to the Hiking with Shawn Blog! You can expect weekly blog posts featuring hiking, camping, cycling, and kayaking tips. I also post trail guides around Southern Illinois and beyond. You’ll also find gear reviews on the Hiking with Shawn Blog, as well.
Latest from the Hiking with Shawn Blog
The Hiking with Shawn Blog will feature one post a week featuring outdoor recreation tips, trail guides, and gear reviews.
First Hike of 2023
First Hike of 2023Where was your first hike of 2023? We decided to hit the trail at Piney Creek Ravine for our first hike of the year. We went with a small group. Some had been there before. Others have never been there. We were hoping for a lot of waterfall activity....
Last Hike of 2022
Last Hike of 2022Our Last Hike of 2022 was a doozy! We decided to go to Fountain Bluff for the last hike of 2022. If you don’t know, Fountain Bluff is on the west side of the Shawnee National Forest near Grand Tower. It’s an area once inhabited by ancient people from...
Happy New Year
Happy New YearHappy New Year from Hiking with Shawn! I’m going hiking today to start the New Year right! We went to bed before midnight last night. We slept well from a long hike on New Year’s Eve. We made sure to hike on the last day of the year. And we make sure we...
Southern Illinois Outdoors
Southern Illinois Outdoors ForumSouthern Illinois Outdoors is the new forum in town. Social media isn’t for everyone, and I understand that. Before social media, there were discussion forum communities. These communities had better privacy controls, were more specific...
The New Shawnee Challenge Gets Major Updates
The New Shawnee Challenge Gets Major Updates Have you heard of the New Shawnee Challenge? I created the challenge in collaboration with Southernmost Illinois Tourism, the US Forest Service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Shawnee Mountain Bike...
RightOnTrek Breakfast Meal Review
RightOnTrek Breakfast Meal ReviewI tried something new this morning. I ate a RightOnTrek breakfast meal. It was Cheesy Mushroom Egg Scramble. The name alone made it sound so delicious. I love cheese. I love eggs. I really love mushrooms. But I never thought about...
How to Protect Your Feet when Hiking
How to Protect Your Feet when HikingIt is significant to protect your feet when hiking. Your feet are the main part of your body that you need to be at their fullest when hiking. Your feet will get you where you want to go. Your feet will get you back to where you...
Shawnee Forest Winter Hiking Safety Guide
Shawnee Forest Winter Hiking Safety GuideWelcome to the Shawnee Forest Winter Hiking Safety Guide. It’s wintertime in the Shawnee National Forest. Southern Illinois is no stranger to snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. Most people stay inside during wintry conditions,...
Shawnee Forest Winter Hiking Tips
Shawnee Forest Winter Hiking TipsShawnee Forest winter hiking is one of the best times to hike. Sue, I love summer a lot more than winter, personally. I enjoy warm weather. I don’t like the cold that much. My joints and bones hurt in the cold. But with winter comes...
Latest Trail Guides
Check out the latest trail guides published in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian Kitchen
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Indian KitchenIndian Kitchen is a popular gem in the middle of the Lusk Creek Wilderness that is favored by both hikers and equestrians, alike. Indian Kitchen has so many things to see and do and is even packed with a lot of...
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek Loop
Hiking with Shawn’s Trail Guide Series: Max Creek LoopMax Creek is an interesting hike for different reasons. Max Creek, the actual creek itself is very scenic and provides a nice view. The trail offers various waterfalls and is a fun hike during different seasons of...
Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine Hills
Hiking with Shawn’s Ultimate Trail Guide Series: LaRue Pine HillsLaRue Pine Hills is one of my favorite areas to visit throughout all the seasons of the year but especially during the spring and during the fall. LaRue Pine Hills is home to the world-famous Forest...
Latest Gear Reviews
Check out my latest outdoor gear reviews posted in the Hiking with Shawn Blog.
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I am currently accepting guest contributions from outdoor enthusiasts and local businesses and organizations that are interested in posting on my blog. For the most part, guest posting is free as long as it’s non-commercial in nature. Just to be clear, I do not sell links. While I do accept paid sponsored posts from time to time, I reject around 9 out of 10 of sponsored post requests. If the content isn’t of the highest value to my readers, I will not accept it.
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