Every year at this time, on a road in Union County the United States Forest Service swings two big steel gates together and locks them shut with a huge padlock, closing a two and a half mile stretch of Forest Road 345 to vehicle traffic, more commonly known as Snake Road. Officials do this to protect the large numbers of reptiles and amphibians as they make their annual, life-saving journey from the swamps to the rocks and crevices at the base of the 100 foot bluffs to spend the winter. Even though all motorized vehicles are prohibited from using the road at this time, hikers are easily able to go around the two sets of gates -- one on the North end and one on the South end of the road. In fact, hikers are encouraged to visit this unique area during the two times of the year that the Forest Service shuts down this stretch of road. On Saturday, October 1st, 2016 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Biologist Scott Ballard led over 50 enthusiastic hikers on a guided tour along the length of this road to see the variety of reptiles and amphibians -- often collectively referred to as herps . WSIU radio was among those eager nature enthusiasts.
Special thanks to Scott Ballard, I-D-N-R. Also, special thanks to Pat York and John McClurken both of the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest.
For more information about this unique area, officially known as LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond, and to see a list of the tremendous number of unique species that call this research area home, please visit the United States Forest Service web page at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shawnee/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD516920
If you visit Snake Road, please be aware that, as this is a Federally Protected Research Natural area strict guidelines exist to ensure that the unique plant and animal life exists untouched and in its most natural state. and unauthorized collecting and handling of any of these species is prohibited under federal and state law.
