DWS Lake Kinkaid

[Ali Hill]

Hey everyone!

The summer is coming to an end but its still HOT out, thought I would forward some info I got on Deep Water Soloing in southern Illinois! If you can't make it this season, keep this spot in mind next year!

First, yes, there is a place to DWS in our fair state.  It is called Kincaid Lake.  Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NPs6yCB9Lo

Here is the lake's official page:

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/Kinkaid.htm

I learned of the lake some time ago, but I didn't do any research until June.  It took all of my detective skills to figure this one out, because nothing on the internet described exactly which cliff face could be climbed.

I tried discussion boards, Google Earth, and even an academic paper about archaeological discoveries in the area that I hoped would provide GPS coordinates.  Nothing. 

I did call a marina -- we can rent a pontoon boat! -- and the guy who answered the phone knew the spot, but he seemed unwilling to part with the beta over the phone.

Finally, I found a cat who had put some of the routes on his send list.  His name is Phillip Carrier, and his extremely helpful directions are below:

The beta for Kinkaid is that there are two ways in. By boat or by hike. You can rent pontoon or smaller boats from the Kinkaid Marina. Also canoe or kayakable. 

To hike in the directions are:

Okay so get to Ava Road off of Highway 127 however you want.

From Ava Road go about 8 miles or just over to Lone Oak Road - turn left. There will be a sign for a winery or something.

Go about 1.8 miles then turn right on to Ash Road. (a small gravel road, easy to miss or confuse as a driveway.

Follow it around left till it ends at a IDNR Parking lot.

There isnt a super established "trail" so there will be some bushwhacking.

Follow the trail behind the gate through a couple fields and woods down to the lake. I plotted the trail you need on one of the photos, its really the easiest way to describle the hike.

Ill try anyway. Hike through one big long field till it ends, cut over quick to another field - curving left till that field ends. There will be an old gravel road/trail you follow through some woods to another field. This time cut across the plowed field to a trail that leads down the hill to the top of the cliff. You can cross reference this with the photos.

Just remember its easiest to walk through the plowed parts of the field. Hike is about 30 min. Watch for ticks and horseflies, both are especially bad this year. 

The routes start at mid 10 and go to the 12d/13a range. If you want specific beta I can probably help.

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Alexandra Hill
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
College of ACES

[Mohamed Slim Bouguerra]

ALI You are wonderful 

 It is a good idea to share the beta and trip report to put it somewhere online.

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<Kincaid 1.jpg><Kinkaid Trail (1).jpg><Kinkaid Roads (1).jpg><Kincaid 2.jpg>

[Kevin Larson]

I think "bushwacking" is a bit misleading.  You are following a reasonably well marked trail (two tire tracks) through a grass field which runs into the forest where you have a pretty well maintained trail leading down to the water.  We ended up wasting a lot of time because we weren't looking for a good trail when we hit the forest.

-Kevin

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[Ali Hill]

true! I'll add it to our website too! Well... I will nicely ask the best person ever Chris Kunz to put this on our page...

[Ali Hill]

okay, I will edit the description when we put it on the website, this was from about a year ago so I'm sure it's changed

[Mohamed Slim Bouguerra]

it will be great if we can set up a forum like that ppls contribute ... but i know it can also be a source of trouble to control the ppls writing.

put it in the meeting agenda :D

[Ali Hill]

haha okay, it will be discussed!

[Alex Bragg]

Thank you for posting this Ali and doing all the research! Good job Prez

Alex

[Teddy Yeh]

I believe a google group already serves that purpose.  

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/illinoisclimbingclub

It doesn't look like a traditional forum, but it's searchable for information.

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