Bailey Creek

BEWARE: Watch out for the 'landowner' that lives on river left of Wildcat Rapids!!! He is not a fan of kayakers and will do anything to try and have you arrested. A paddling group was at wildcat when one of the party injured their shoulder. About 150 feet below wildcat, a trail goes up the cliff wall, where the injured partner waited while the rest of us finished the river. We went to go get him when we encountered one of the 'landowners' who have an easement on the Mining Companies land. We were chewed out for being there and told to get the hell out or be arrested. We had to call Illinois State Police and an ambulance to retrieve our injured partner. After that, we went to the put-in to get one of our vehicles when THIS TRUCK PULLS UP. The man inside told us that if we were seen on that road again we would be arrested. This guy doesn't care about anyone using the river and will try to get anyone in a kayak arrested for trespassing on the mine's land. Watch out for him. Happy Paddling.
(Original report edited slightly to remove potentially problematic content.)