Franks Tract Loop in Lusk Creek Wilderness

The Franks Tract Loop in Lusk Creek Wilderness is a 6.7-mile loop that promises a breathtaking hiking adventure, a journey that I and Michelle savored this summer.

This trail, a blend of different designated trails within the Lusk Creek Wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest, offers a unique and diverse hiking experience.

The total elevation is around 620 feet. While there are a few gut-busters, most of the hills are relatively easy to hike up.

We did hike this trail in the summer, but the Franks Tract Loop is better to hike during the months when leaves are off the trees. You can see more, and it’s easier overall.

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking the Franks Tract Loop yourself.

 

How to Get to Franks Tract Loop?

The Franks Tract Loop is a little trickier to get to because it lacks signage.

It’s a remote area that requires the use of driving on a narrow gravel road. Please drive carefully as there are potholes and people do live on the road. Watch for other drivers and go slower so that you don’t kick up too much dust. The locals will appreciate that.

To reach the Franks Tract Loop, take 145 south of Harrisburg towards Eddyville, Illinois. Right before Eddyville, turn LEFT onto New Home Road. There should be a water tower to your right (if traveling south).

Drive on New Home Road until you reach your second left-hand turn. The road will have a triangle where you can access it in two ways if that makes sense.

Turn left onto Stone Bottoms Road at these coordinates: 37.537245, -88.570403.

Drive one mile until you see the parking area on your left. There are some old foundations and stuff like that around. There is no real trailhead sign. Coordinates: 37.543588, -88.559076.

Try to park in a way that makes it easy for horse trailers to get around you, as it is a popular place for equestrians to access the wilderness.

Most vehicles should be able to reach the trailhead unless it’s very wet or during wintry conditions. The road may not be treated during wintry conditions.

 

How to Hike Franks Tract Loop?

The Franks Tract Loop we took is not an official trail name.

It uses official trails, but I call it that just to give it a name. I’m sure other people will have different names for this loop, as everyone has their own name for everything these days.

After parking at the trailhead, cross the road and head into the forest using Trail-481.

Stay on this trail for about 1 mile until you reach a junction.

At the junction, continue on Trail-481 for around another mile until you reach Natural Bridge Crossing.

Take Trail-486 to pass by Salt Pete Cave and take Trail-457 for a few miles.

Continue hiking until you reach the River to River Trail at Bowed Tree Crossing. This trail (Trail-001) will have diamond blazes with lowercase “I” in the center of them. They’re hard to see because they try to make them look natural.

Continue on the River to River Trail towards Wishing Well.

Take Trail-481B towards Wishing Well at the junction.

Continue until you reach Trail 481. You’re at the area where you started the loop. Take Trail-481 back to the Franks Tract Loop trailhead.

NOTE: This hike involves crossing Lusk Creek a few times. During wetter seasons, the creek can be fairly deep.

See my Strava Page for this hike and download the GPX file. You can add that to Gaia or your favorite hiking app to follow our exact route.

You can also use Avenza (free) and the Shawnee Multi-Day Maps ($10 one-time fee for 6 maps). Use the Lusk Creek Map.

 

Points of Interest on this Loop

There is a lot to see on the Franks Tract Loop trail.

Franks Tract itself (where you park) is an old homesite. There are foundations and even structures left behind. Please be careful around the old structures as they may be unstable.

The Lusk Creek itself is very scenic. It’s a wild and scenic river candidate. The creek crossings are usually very scenic. They do look better during leaf-off, in my opinion.

Salt Peter Cave and the bluff line around it are also very scenic and fun to explore.

Wishing Well is another great side stop to check out. It’s an old homesite where equestrians and hikers toss coins into the well to make wishes. You’re better off not tossing coins to help Leave No Trace. The forest is full of these open wells, but most of them don’t have trails leading to them.

There is an old hay rake around where the loop ends. This whole area was once farmland before it was reforested.

There will be plenty of things to see along the Franks Tract Loop during your hiking adventure.

 

Safety Information and Rules for this Loop

Before embarking on the Franks Tract Loop, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the safety guidelines and rules for this area, ensuring a secure and enjoyable hiking experience.

Safety Information

• This area is home to two venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes and copperhead snakes. Handling, harming, or capturing these snakes is illegal.
• Black bears may occasionally pass through this area, but there are no known populations.
• Feral pigs have been spotted in this area during the past recent years.
• This area is used by horseback riders. Please yield to riders and talk to them in a normal voice so that their animals know you’re human.
• Some horseback riders have loose dogs with them (although this is against the rules), so if you have a dog with you, please keep this in mind.
• There are open wells in this area. Please watch your step.
• Be careful around the creek crossings. If the area is very wet, the crossing could pose a risk to humans.
• If the area is very dry, most creeks will also be dry. Bring plenty of water, and don’t rely on creeks for filtering.
• Dangerous conditions exist in this area. Please use caution and use at your own risk.
• Cell phone signals only sometimes work in this area.
• Always tell someone where you are going and consider hiking with a friend to be safe.
• This area will be popular during firearms hunting season. Please avoid it at that time and make sure you wear blaze orange if you will be in the area.

Wilderness Rules

• Hikers and horseback riders may be in groups of 10 or fewer.
• Bicycles or motor vehicles of any kind are prohibited from the wilderness area.
• Camping in the wilderness is allowed. You may not camp in an area for more than 14 days. You must camp away from trails and bodies of water. Please Leave No Trace.
• There are no trash services. Pack out what you pack in and leave it better than you found it.
• Camping is not allowed in natural areas.

 

Now, Over to You!

Now that you know everything there is to know about the Franks Tract Loop, it’s time for you to go out and enjoy a hike along the trail system. We did it in the summer. It was buggy, hot, and weedy. If you don’t mind that, go for it, but watch out for snakes and check yourself for ticks.

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Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!

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