Panther Den: Don't Forget Your Map!

Panther Den Wilderness may be the smallest wilderness area in the state of Illinois, but it packs in some of the most distinctive and maze-like rock formations you may ever see! This distinctive and unique area boasts over 820 acres of land and is bordered by Crab Orchard Wilderness, which offers an additional 4050 acres of Illinois wilderness to its north. Before you read on, you may want to brush up on Wilderness Areas (Let's Get WILD) is and print yourself off a map of the area.

How To Get There
Finding Panther Den Wilderness may be, in itself, a bit of an adventure. If you have been searching for directions I'm sure you've encountered a thousand different versions out on the internet. Some talking about private land others talking about washed out creeks, heck some may even be saying you'd better just float on in from the north on one of the fingers of Devil's Kitchen Lake. I guess I'll go ahead and add another way to get there, ours was simple and fairly straight forward.

From Cape Girardeau, MO we started across the Emerson Bridge into Illinois and followed highway 146 East through Anna, IL turning left on Lick Creek Road near the outskirts of town. After traveling about eight miles down Lick Creek Road, we veered off to the left onto Grandview Road, following it until again veering left onto Hall Church Road. Follow Hall Church Road until you are able to turn right on Rocky Comfort Road, enjoy this last bit of paved road. Continue down Rocky Comfort Road for about three miles until you can make a right turn onto Panther Den ROAD. Welcome to the gravel my friend! Now, follow Panther Den ROAD for a bit over a mile or so, until you see
Panther Den LANE on the left. You'll notice this road is in pretty rough shape (or at least it was in 2013-14), keep to the right as it is a one lane road, and you will see the parking lot at the end of the road on the right.

Pay attention to the trail markers out here:
The Panther Den loop is 389,
the trail back to the lot is 371,
and the River to River Trail is 001.
See the Quick Trail Note below.

The Trail
One of the first things you may notice as you approach the trailhead is that there is a complete lack of information and maps on the Panther Den Informational Board (or at least there was on all of our visits in 2013-14). I don't know if all the information fell off, was stolen, or if a pack of wild dingos with a taste for maps and information strolled in and devoured all postings. So be sure to print off a map of the area before you leave home, read my cautionary tales below if you don't think having a map is important...

The trail itself begins as a mixture of gravel and dirt, featuring many planned switchbacks which help to reduce the wear and tear of erosion on the trail and wilderness. The switchbacks also make the hilly terrain a bit easier to traverse. The rolling downhill hike will bottom out with a small creek crossing, be alert here as we have found this a fantastic place to find local wildlife visiting for a refreshing drink. From here you'll travel up a small hill be sure to veer left at the trail intersection and that will take you to a welcome sign for the area. You can now follow the trail around the Panther Den or, better yet, go inside the magnificent sandstone formations for which the entire wilderness area is named!

Quick Trail Note:

The Panther Den loop makes use of the 389 white diamond trail markers/blazes, however these markers are sometime sparse and, I suspect, stolen by idiots. You may see markers up for 389-A and 389-B, both of which are small spurs, these spurs seem to be old, abandoned trails. My experience is that 389-A and 389-B are generally overgrown and hard to navigate (I became pretty lost on what I believe now to be 389-B). I'd suggest staying on the main 389 trail and then following the 371 trail marker back to the parking area. 001 is the designation for the River To River Trail, which runs through and connects Panther Den Wilderness and Crab Orchard Wilderness.

Enter The Den!

One of the many "rooms" within the
Panther Den rock formations.

Inside Panther Den, you'll find these huge sandstone formations seem to form rooms, hallways, and even floors. Some of these formations are so angular that you may have an "Ancient Aliens" like feeling, wondering if perhaps some ancient astronauts visited the area eons ago in order to lay down rock foundations and rooms to inhabit. One particular "room" in Panther Den seems to even have a poured foundation. In reality though, aliens didn't have anything to do with it, all of the formations are natural... Or are they?

You can easily spend hours inside of Panther Den, leaping from cliff to cliff, poking into every crack and crag, squeezing through narrow crevices and splits or just running your hands over the smoothness of the sandstone. There are small waterfalls to be discovered, side trails to be explored, cairns to be constructed and plenty of places to hide as well; so you can jump out and scare the wits out of your friends and family. And, although you won't find any panthers in Panther Den (at least not since the 1870's) you may spot some other local wildlife such as whitetail deer, turkey, muskrats, beaver, and skunks. If you are really lucky, you may even get a rare glimpse of a bobcat or mink. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

Be sure to set a meeting place up.
Just in case.

You will also find many sandstone "coveys" carved into the rock in the area around Panther Den. These sandstone overhangs offer shelter to an uncommon wildflower, French's shooting star (Dodecatheon frenchii). Unfortunately we didn't spot a single one on any of our hikes. But, if you would like to see or find one I would suggest hitting the area in May or June and seeking out sandstone overhangs near running water. Although the French's shooting star is not currently on Illinois Threatened and Endangered list, it is still considered a sensitive species in the state. So if you are lucky enough to find a colony of these beautiful little wildflowers, please take only pictures so that others may be able to enjoy their beauty as well.

You may also want to stick together while exploring the inside of the formations, or at the least set a place and time to meet up in case someone gets separated. It is very easy to get lost within the maze-like formations of Panther Den. Children (and parents) may freak out if they suddenly find themselves separated from the rest of the group. If you become horribly lost remember that a distress signal in the woods consists of three successive sounds; be they yells, shots, claps, whistles, or any other signal.

Camping
There is so much to be explored in Panther Den that you may even consider camping within the area. If you do, remember that you are within a wilderness area. You do not need a permit and the US Forest Service asks only that you practice "Leave No Trace" ethics and camp a minimum of 300 feet from any established trails. Most of the "user" camps that you will encounter are far too close to established trails and have left obvious marks on the landscape. You are encouraged not to use these campsites so that these overused areas may recover. Of course, you may want to read up on what a wilderness is and always remember to practice your very best Wilderness Manners.

Now that I've told you of how beautiful and truly distinct Panther Den Wilderness is, I'd like to give you two quick stories of warning. 

Story One: Our First Trip

On our first outing at Panther Den Wilderness we became lost. Very lost. Playing victim to many of the "trails" as we ventured further into the wilderness. We had inadvertently stumbled upon an old, abandoned equestrian trail that twisted and turned through rugged terrain. As I continued to notice the decline in the quality of the trail, I became (silently) alarmed. I could tell we were no longer on an established trail and we had taken so many lefts and rights, I could not recall from which way we had come. Luckily I had my phone, turned off, in my pocket. No bars. We continued to hike and I continued to quietly check my phone. A bar lit. I stopped and instantly hit the button for Google Maps. Once it loaded I found our heading and took note of where the trailhead was on that small, smart phone screen. Had it not been for that stroke of luck we may have been lost for hours in Panther Den Wilderness. This is the experience that taught me to never, ever, set out on a trail without a map and an idea of the route I wish to travel.

Story Two: Stranger on the Road

Panther Den Wilderness is for tree lovers...

On our second visit to Panther Den Wilderness we made our way down the gravel road toward Panther Den Wilderness, when we noticed a man wandering aimlessly nearly a mile from the trailhead. It was apparent to me that he was lost and I slowed down to see if he needed any assistance. He sheepishly admitted to us that he too had fell victim to one of the "false" trails of Panther Den and as we drove him back to the trailhead, he told us he had been wandering for hours, without a phone or map, happening upon the road by pure chance. I could tell he was embarrassed, as I had been just a few months prior, of becoming so lost. He was an outdoorsman, confident in his abilities to maintain a heading and follow a trail, it was this over confidence (which I too had suffered) that led to his unintended side adventure, and his catching a ride with us back to his truck. His last words to us were, "I can never let my wife know about this."

So now, please, take this map. Print it. Fold it. Put it in your pocket. It's simple. If you plan to visit Panther Den Wilderness and truly explore the area I cannot stress the importance of having a map on hand enough. Safely experiencing the beauty and sheer uniqueness of the area is worth the ink!


More Information:
CLICK HERE AND PRINT THIS MAP!
Visit Local Treks on facebook!
Wilderness Areas: Let's Get WILD!
Tips: How To Take A Great Dayhike  
Illinois Wildflowers (online guide with pictures)
A Conservation Assessment for the French's Shooting Star (warning: good read, pretty scientific)
National Geographic "Backyard Bird Identifier"

Wilderness Areas: Let's Get WILD!

Wouldn't you like to get away? Away from the streets teeming with exhaust spewing mechanical monsters, the constant ringing of cell phones, crowded restaurants, the dinging of emails in your inbox, the clamor of people as they march to and fro... Don't you deserve a break? A chance to leave technology and other people behind, a chance to take in a bit of nature's splendor in solitude?

Heck yea you do, and it's easier than you think, you just need to get out and experience your local wilderness areas!

Why (or why not) The Wilderness?
Some of you may be asking, "But why go to a Wilderness Area and not a regular State or Federal Park or recreation area?" I enjoy the Wilderness Areas because they are generally more remote, more secluded and less traveled than other conservation areas or general locations within our Federal or State Parks. Many times when I've been hiking or visiting these Wilderness Areas in Missouri I won't see another human being, I don't hear a hum of an engine (in fact, it is generally illegal to operate a motorized or mechanical vehicle inside a Wilderness Area), just the sweet songs and melodies of nature. Remember these areas are set aside to maintain and preserve the "wildness" of the landscape and wildlife, you are just a visitor.

Now, if you like having the thought that there are others out there and enjoy seeing people from time to time on your hike or backpacking trip, you may want to reconsider visiting the Wilderness Areas. I will be very honest when I say that I have not yet bumped into another person on a trail within the areas I have explored. If not seeing other people on your adventures sets your Spidey-Senses to tingling, you may be better served in one of the excellent conservation or recreation areas available.

Also, be sure to see if the outdoor activity you are looking to do is even available in the Wilderness Area you are looking to visit. In 1986, the Wilderness Act was reinterpreted to ban bicycles from these areas, so that means no mountain biking. Some areas restrict camping areas as well.

Where Can I Find Wilderness Areas?

A great source for finding a Wilderness Area near you is to visit Wilderness.Net at http://www.wilderness.net/. This site features a great collection of information on Wilderness Areas near you, features maps and is searchable by state, name, and more.

For those of you in Missouri, here are the Wilds near you!

• Bell Mountain Wilderness
• Devil's Backbone Wilderness
• Hercules-Glades Wilderness
• Irish Wilderness
• Mingo Wilderness
• Paddy Creek Wilderness
• Piney Creek Wilderness
• Rockpile Mountain Wilderness
• My Blog Entry: Rock Pile Mountain: A Great Place To Get "Lost" - Coming Soon!

I am looking forward to writing up some entries soon on
the Rockpile Mountain Wilderness and the Irish Wilderness! So stay tuned.

I certainly don't want to forget my neighbors across the river either. For my Illinoisan hiking pals here's a list of your wilds!
Links to Wilderness.net entries and some of my blog entries listed below.

• Bald Knob Wilderness
• Bay Creek Wilderness
• Burden Falls Wilderness
• Clear Springs Wilderness
• Crab Orchard Wilderness
• Garden of the Gods Wilderness
• My Blog Entry: 320 Million Years Well Spent: Garden of the Gods, IL
• Lusk Creek Wilderness
• Panther Den Wilderness
• My Blog Entry: Panther Den: Don't Forget Your Map!

Wilderness Manners.

It may sound odd or maybe even like a bit of an oxymoron, but there are certainly a set of Wilderness Manners that you need to observe when enjoying the acres and acres of designated Wilderness. Always keep in mind that these areas were set aside to preserve nature in as close to an "untouched" state as possible. Here are a few of them:

• ALWAYS LET SOMEONE KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN THE WILDERNESS. GIVE THEM A TIME FOR YOUR RETURN. TELL THEM YOUR APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE, ROUTE, AND INTENDED CAMPING LOCATIONS.
• Practice "Leave No Trace". Be sure to tread lightly so that nature may repair and endure for others to enjoy. If you pack it in, pack it out.
• Pick up your trash. Pick up any other trash you may find as well and pack out with you whenever possible.
• Always dispose of human waste at a minimum of 100 feet way from your campsite and at least 200 feet away from any water source, in a small, shallow hole (also called a cathole).Read more here, meow....
• Be sure to use the self-registration boxes at the trailheads. This may very well save your life.
• Try to find lesser used areas for resting and camping. Popular spots (sometimes referred to a user camps) and the constant use of these camping areas make it harder for nature to replenish herself in some areas. By finding alternative spots you can make her recovery a bit easier and find your very own bit of heaven.
• Always try to camp out of sight.
• Be prepared. Have a first aid kit, plenty of water, bug repellent (I have a recipe of one you can drink!), a map of the area, compass, the right clothing and shoes as well. Think ahead.
• Don't count on your cell phone to rescue you. Many of these areas are outside of the cell service range. Don't forget, you came here for a reason, so don't turn it on unless you really need it or at least keep it on silent.
• As often as possible stay on the trail when hiking. 
• Limit your group size to 10 or less.
• Many of these areas are surrounded by private property, ALWAYS respect these boundaries and the land owners as well.
• Keep campfires (if needed at all) small. Fire rings should be avoided as they show man was present. Small gas or chemical stoves are preferred. Always practice extreme fire safety and be aware of the current conditions.
• DO NOT TRANSPORT WOOD FROM HOME for campfires.
• Leave what you find. Don't take it with you. Take a picture instead.
• It's worth mentioning again, if you pack it in, you pack it out.

Most of all enjoy the solitude, enjoy the lack of urban sounds, and enjoy those you are with in the Wilderness.

History & Today
The Wilderness Act just celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year! It looks pretty darn good for 50, wouldn't you say? Wilderness areas came about in 1964, when Congress passed The Wilderness Act of 1964 and President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill into law. This act created a legal definition of what a wilderness is in the United States and set aside 9.1 million acres of land aside under federal protection. It also provided us with an eloquent definition of a United States Wilderness Area:

“A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”

President Lyndon Johnson finishes signing
The Wilderness Act of 1964

The act itself had taken over 8 years of work and gone through more than 60 drafts and spanning three presidencies. Today the Wilderness Act protects over 106 million acres of federal land and these areas are administered by four federal agencies; The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Bureau of Land Management. The National Park Service covers the largest amount of Wilderness areas at 43,616,250 acres, with the U.S. Forest Service in second with 34,867,591 acres, then the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 20,699,108 acres, and Bureau of Land Management with 6,512,227 acres.

Congress considers adding additional Wilderness Areas each and every year, with some being recommended by concerned citizen groups,federal agencies, grassroots organizations and others. In fact, Congress voted unanimously to protect over 32,000 acres of Sleeping Bear Dunes (in Michigan), the first wilderness area to be added in five years. There are also rumors that the administration is making plans to preserve two additional areas as well: The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks area in New Mexico and Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands in California.

More Information:
Visit Local Treks on facebook!
Wilderness.net The BEST source I know of to locate a Wilderness near you.
Full Information on The Wilderness Act of 1964 via Wilderness.net
Wikipedia on The Wilderness Act of 1964
Leave No Trace: Center for Outdoor Ethics an EXCELLENT resource on outdoor manners.
Wilderness Manners: Sierra Club another EXCELLENT resource on outdoor manners.