Society for Sedimentary Geology - Great Lakes Section

Annual Fall Field Conference

GLS - SEPM

Schedule

Oct. 2: Arrive at Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area; camp or bunk in lodge       Google maps
Oct. 3: Explore western Shawnee Hills; catered supper.
Oct. 4: Morning trip to Ferne Clyffe and Giant City S.P.

$70 - Professional;       $40 - Student, K-12 Teachers

We will undertake a field trip that covers parts of the western half of the Shawnee Hills to evaluate evidence for relict and ancient landscapes. We will examine micro-crystalline chert, weathered limestone and sandstone, exhumed karst, palesols, and other deposits and phenomena to assess evidence for a long, subaerially uninterrupted period of mechanical and chemical weathering that may have started in the Cretaceous and continued to the present. Participants should plan to arrive on Friday (Oct. 2) night ("Campfire" food will be available for those arriving late). The main part of the trip will be on Saturday (Oct. 3) with a planned catered supper in the evening. On Sunday morning, (Oct. 4), the trip will continue for a half day with stops in Ferne Clyffe and Giant City State Parks.

The field trip headquarters will be at the Wickers Research Station at the Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. The Wickers Research Station is a former Hunting Lodge now owned by the Illinois Department of Recreation.

Lodging: There are three choices for lodging:

1. Limited number (about 20) of single-size beds at the lodge. You must bring a sleeping bag or sheets, a pillow, and towel, etc. for showering. Individual reservations for these beds should be sent to C. Pius Weibel. Additional space may be available for those who wish to sleep on the floor with a small air mattress or foam pad. There is no charge for staying at the lodge.
2. Camping—tents can be set up on the south side of the lodge. Campers will have access to bathroom/showers/other amenities in the lodge. There is no charge for camping. Recommended for students.
3. Motel lodging. There is only one modern motel in the area. This is the Americas Best Value Inn-Cheekwood Inn, 128 Cheekwood Lane, Ullin, IL. 618-845-3700. Room rates are about $80 to $90 a night. You must make your reservations on your own. No rooms have been reserved for this conference and the costs of this lodging are not included in the conference registration fee. The Inn is about 20 miles (0.5 hour driving time) from the Wickers Research Station. The motel is just west of Interstate 57 at Exit 18.

MapQuest Directions

From I-57 from the North:
      Exit I-57 at Mile 18 and turn right (west) onto CR-7 / Ullin Road.
      Drive west for 1.3 mi.
      Turn right onto US-51 for 0.2 mi, enter ULLIN.
      Turn left onto CR-9 / Foster St.  for 0.1 mi
      Turn left (south) onto CR-9 for 2.2 mi
      CR-9 becomes CR-5 for 1.6 mi
      Turn left (south) onto IL-127 for 3.1 mi
      Turn right onto CR-4.  Enter TAMMS. 
      Continue west on CR-4 toward Front St. for 3.3 mi
      Turn left (south) onto CR-9 for 4.9 mi
      Enter OLIVE BRANCH. Turn Right onto IL-3.
      Go west on IL-3 for 0.1 mi
      Turn left (south) onto CR-2 for 2.9 mi
      Turn left (east) onto West Side Drive. 
      Enter Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. See detail directions below.

From I-57 from the South:
      Exit I-57 at Mile 1 and turn west (right) onto IL-3.
      Go west for 5.0 mi.
      Turn left onto CR-2 for 8.0 mi to "Miller City."
      Continue on CR-2 (north) for 1.4 mi.
      Turn right (east) onto West Side Drive.
      Enter Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Detailed directions after entering the Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Continue east for 0.5 mi. Road turns to the left (north) but you will continue straight (east) for a short distance (100-200 ft or so). There will be a gate to the right to a lane that leads (south) to the Wickers Research Station. Park on the north side of the building. Entrance to the Station is up the stairs to the second floor.

Contact person: C. Pius Weibel       E-mail: weibel@isgs.illinois.edu       Office: 217-333-5108       Cell: 217-840-5367

Registration for Professionals: $70 (guidebook, food, and drinks-may include alcohol)
Registration for Students: $40 (guidebook, food, and drinks)
On-line registration closes at 5 PM, Monday, September 28.

Register Now!

If you are unable to register on-line, please contact C. P. Weibel.

Co-sponsored by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Updated 02/16/2010 SLD