Adventure #4
Salt Lick Point Land & Water Reserve is located in Valmeyer, Illinois.
A little back story about me, I am originally from Missouri and moved to Illinois recently. Salt Lick was the first Illinois trail I visited after I moved. I have always liked this trail and could never really put my finger on why. Then today driving to the trail it struck me. We passed a sign saying “entering the Illinois Ozarks.” The scenery, the rolling, rocky hills, the high bluffs, it reminded me of home. It is in stark contrast to the flat farmland that is literally right down the road from it.
The area is fairly easy to find, located in Valmeyer, Illinois and is in close proximity to White Rock Nature Preserve (see my blog on our first adventure to read about this place). This area seems to be more known and visited than White Rock. Salt Lick has a very large parking area. There is also a large old building that is abandoned. No placard or information board so I'm not really sure what it was used for. If you are reading this and know what the building was, leave a comment below.
It was mid October, it was in the upper 60’s but breezy. It is beginning to feel like fall, I could just feel it in the air. On the hike it was Lea, my dad, his wife Nancy, my two boys and Nancy’s 3 grandkids. We had all age groups represented on this hike!! We started off on Johnson's trail. It is a well maintained trail that is a combination of dirt and gravel. This area of the trail is relatively flat and very easy to hike.
The trail runs parallel to the high bluff. It winds through the woods and is very scenic. It also provides a nice contrast. On the left side of the trail through the trees is flat farmland. It was mid October and the farmers had already harvested their crops for the season. The fields had been plowed and ready to be replanted next spring.
Turning my head to the right was a completely different landscape. A large bluff over 500 feet high dominated the visual field. Along this side of the path there are large boulders that have separated themselves from the main bluff and make great scenery. The kids also loved exploring and climbing on the large boulders. In one section there are multiple large boulders and there is a bench to sit at while the kids play.
After exploring the large boulders and taking in the scenery of Johnson’s trail we continued on. The trail splits about 1.37 miles. It goes straight to a trail called Newman Trailhead which goes into the fields or it goes right, to Salt Lick Point, into the woods and up the bluff.
We decided to take the trail to the right and head up the bluff. This is where the real hike begins. The trail becomes narrow and goes to a steep incline up the bluff. It is dirt and some rock. There are also some roots on the trail so watch your step. This part of the trail is no joke. All the kids did real well and the youngest of the bunch showed no signs of it even being a struggle. Me on the other hand, my legs were burning and I was out of breath. My kind of hike.
Like with anything in life, something that is worth it takes a bit of effort. While this portion of the hike is difficult the reward is well worth it. The scenic overlook at the top of the cliff is almost indescribable. I will do my best. I would say the bluff top is about 400 to 500 hundred feet off the ground. At the top of the bluff there is a panoramic view of the fields, road, and river. Looking off to the northeast we were able to see the downtown St Louis skyscrapers and the Arch. We did have a serious conversation with the kids before we went up there about safety. There is no fence or railing, just a view with a very vertical drop off. I have mentioned before that I am terrified of heights and I couldn't get too far out on the bluff. I took in the views and then stayed a ways back.
The trail loops so after we got done at the Scenic Overlook we continued on. There is one more very steep hill to go up from here. Also the trail gets really narrow and hugs the bluff edge. Again I was sure to watch my footing and look straight ahead. Even with my fear of heights, I still braved a look here and there and the view was amazing.
The last leg of the trail is the descent down the bluff. For the most part it is a gradual decline until the very end. Along the way there is a really nice viewpoint called Pflasterer’s Glade. I recommend stopping and checking it out before continuing on. Also there is a mineshaft that we stopped at and took some pictures.
I like the fact that the last portion on the trail is downhill. It really gives your legs a rest after climbing 500 hundred or so feet. Only thing I would advise is watch your step on some of the declines, I lost my footing once. Once we descended down the bluff the trail emerges out of the woods into a clearing. There is a place called Rock City that houses Federal Records and Little Caesars must have a cave or building back there, because there were a lot of their trucks in the parking lot. The trail follows the road back to the parking lot. Just watch out for cars, especially with the kids.
This is a very fun hike. If you are just looking for a flat hike, this can be accomplished by sticking to Johnson’s trial. If you are looking for a challenge, hike up the bluff. It is a real workout and the effort is worth it for the great views. Bring the whole family, just be extra careful with the kids on the bluffs. Here's a picture of our whole hiking crew!
Want to check it out?
Address: From Route 3 in Waterloo, IL take Highway 156 west, to original Valmeyer, turn north on Bluff Road. Proceed to the Rock City complex sign and turn east on Limestone Lane. The parking area is on the left.
Good for kids: Yes, if they can manage a steep hike and you trust them up by the bluffs. If that doesn't work for you, stick to Johnson Trail. Still a great hike, good views and lots of rocks for the kids to climb on.
Also: the building is from the quarry days: “If you have been to Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve, then you have seen the abandoned mining building in the parking lot off of Bluff Rd. Before Salt Lick was a Nature Preserve and Hiker's Paradise it was a fully functioning mine.
The devastating Great Flood of 1993 changed all that. The Great Flood made the entire town of Valmeyer, Illinois relocate and it also made the mine unsafe to continue working in.
The miners had to abandon the mine and were focred to leave much equipment in the mine.
This once bustling mine was now a ghost mine. When hiking the many trials that Salt Lick has to offer,…
Local here, So glad you loved the hike! I wanted to mention when you got to the junction where you mentioned Newman Trail went off into the field: Newman starts out in the field, but then goes back into the forest and does a gradual incline a couple of miles up to the town of New Valmeyer. (Trail ends at a church parking lot!) You do about a dozen creek crossings, and the trail zigzags up and down at a gradual grade. It almost feels like a human game of chutes and ladders. Absolutely beautiful! Highly recommend that route next time you’re out. Keep in mind, Newman is an out and back. So if you’ve parked at the main Salt…