Factoid:The Jonesboro Ranger District reminds hikers to plan ahead and prepare for hikes in unfamiliar areas by bringing a map and compass. Also, remember to abide by the “Leave No Trace Principles” by disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, respecting wildlife, minimizing campfire impacts and being considerate of other visitors.

Factoid:Directions to LaRue Pine Hills:Take Route 13 past Murphysboro until it ends. Turn left and go about 15 miles until the sign “LaRue Pine Hills.” Turn left and go about three miles. Make another left and go one-half mile before making a right turn. After a mile there is a parking lot on the right. The trail is on the left.

A clear blue sky canopies a winding, tree-lined trail. The crackling of underfoot leaves and chirping of birds make the path seem common to Southern Illinois.

The 300-foot drop, seven feet to the left of the path, however, assures this is no regular hiking trail. The path, Inspiration Point Trail, leads wanderers to the lookout many dare to reach.

Located in LaRue Pine Hills, Inspiration Point is a 350-foot bluff with a panoramic view overlooking the Mississippi River, Big Muddy River bottoms and the LaRue Pine Hills swamp.

Climbing the bluff, a steep, fence-lined path leads to the limestone platform of Inspiration Point. The abrupt drop on both sides of the path is an adrenaline mover. Once on the platform, a quiet hush falls over the air.

Many footsteps have walked the trail and ventured to the platform in past decades. Bob Winters, supervisory technician for Shawnee National Forest, said Inspiration Trail originally was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Inspiration Trail has two beginning points, McCann Springs and Pine Hills Road. Starting at the lower north end of the bluff is McCann Springs, which involves a moderately difficult hike.

Winters said the Pine Hills Road trail starts observers at the upper end of the bluff. Hikers can drive up the back of the bluff and park with a minimal hike to Inspiration Point. The distance between both trails is 3/4 mile. The elevation along the trail varies from 200 to 350 feet.

Each hiking trail provides a natural escape for hikers interested in an outdoor atmosphere. James Thompson, a senior in accounting from Downer’s Grove, said reaching the top is not a difficult feat.

“The back entry hike is pretty easy,” said Thompson. “It’s only a half mile to the lookout.”

Winters cautions hikers against venturing onto the limestone flat outlook known as Inspiration Point but said many dare devils still do.

A split-rail fence is set up before the limestone bluff’s lookout to discourage hikers from venturing onto the cliff. Sitting on the point is not illegal, but the narrow path makes for risky maneuvering.

“Inspiration Point is steep and dangerous, and it’s tricky to get out there,” Winters said. “The trails along the bluffs are perfectly safe.”

Winters said repelling is not allowed at Inspiration Point or anywhere in LaRue Pine Hills, because the rocks are loose and could cause injury to repellers.

Thompson said he travels from Carbondale to Inspiration Point every month because of its breathtaking view.

“It’s a great place to go, especially late at night,” Thompson said. “There is nothing but open space, so there is a great view of the stars.

“The drive up is cool because you get to a t-section in the road and straight up is Inspiration Point. There’s really nothing else like it down here.”

Inspiration Point, Pine Ridge and Crooked Tree are the three trails that make up LaRue Pine Hills.

According to Winters, LaRue Pine Hills not only provides a breathtaking view to hikers, but it contains exceptional tundra and native rock formations. Also unique to Southern Illinois are the native short leaf pine trees found along the Crooked Tree and Pine Ridge trails.

“The trees are remnants from the Missouri Ozarks and are native to Southern Illinois,” Winters said.

From a distance, the tree-lined bluffs of LaRue Pine Hills simply resemble a plush plateau. The rocky bluffs and plush trees extend four miles along LaRue Pine Hills Research Natural Area in the Jonesboro Park District of Shawnee National Forest.

Pine Ridge and Crooked Tree trails are not national recreation trails and are smaller than Inspiration Point Trail.

“Pine Ridge and Crooked Tree trails are shorter than Inspiration Point Trail,” Winters said. “The two travel downhill into the river bottoms, and there are benches where hikers can relax and overlook the scenery.”

Sue Hirsch, interpretive specialist for Shawnee National Forest, said the trails through LaRue Pine Hills offer hikers the opportunity to view one of the most unique ecosystems in the Midwest.

“The trails are nice and quiet,” Hirsch said. “Inspiration Point is always refreshing and gives me a chance to get away for an afternoon.

“It’s one of the most inspiring views in the area.”