May 8, 2014 Wildcat, Lonetree, Basswood French Canyons, Sandstone Overlook

At today's Walker's Club we had 26 people or so and 2 dogs.  The green foliage is really starting to come out, as you will see in some of the photos.  The wildflowers still are putting on a great show.  Enjoy!  

Walker's Club today

Flowering Crab, Redbud

The flowers started right after we began our hike.  Flowering Crab, Redbud.

Upper French

We generally start on the Campunala Trail, but today we went on the Bluff Trail, and took the connecting trail over Pontiac Canyon to Wildcat.  On this first section of trail is where the Shooting Stars are found.  They just started to come out.

Shooting Star

There is generally more flowers on the stem. They can range in colors from white, pink, lavender, to a bright fuscia.  I know I've said this before about other flowers, but this is one of my favorite flowers.

Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars

Walkway over Pontiac Canyon

Mayapples

Mayapples are getting there.  The small green bud underneath of the umbrella leaves will bloom into a daisy like white flower.  Some may be blooming by the weekend, depending where you are in the park.

Small yellow Violet

There are not as many of these yellow ones as there are of the purple ones.

Looking down into Pontiac Canyon

Top of Wildcat (lovely Bluebells in the distance)

Top of Wildcat

Wildcat Canyon

Poison Ivy

It's that time of year!  Poison Ivy is starting to get green.  It grows as a low lying plant (photo), vine (photo) and a shrub.  All parts of  the plant will make you itch.  Leaves of 3 leave them be!!  I say, if its green leave them be!  There is no need to be in the green stuff, all the trails in the park are plenty wide enough and safe. 

Jack in the Pulpit

Just Jack

What a great pair of Jacks!!!!

False Solomon's Seal

All taking a photo break

Evelyn

All our new members just love getting their photo in the hollowed out tree, Evelyn was no different.

View from Sandstone Point

Burl by Lonetree Canyon

Stairway by Lonetree Canyon

Witches Kitchen???

 Walking along the river is always interesting. Today was the day for snakes.  There were 3 in this tree.

Snake 1 of 3

Snake

Canadian Geese with family

Garlic Mustard and Dandelions

It is time to return to the Lodge and continue on with my day.  I am actually on vacation this week.  My backpacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains got postponed with all the snow they still have on the ground and some of the roads are still closed. The Walker's Club is a great group of people that I am proud to call my friends. It was great to still go hiking.

Flowering Redbud

Lower entrance to the park

The lower entrance to the park is finally almost lined with a green tunnel again.

Asparagus

My friends Arnie and Linda brought me 2 bundles of Asparagus when they came for Walker's Club today.  (I had a great lunch!)  Thank you!!!



 

What a great day!  Great Hike!  
I will leave you with this: Wherever you may hike or walk, just put one foot in front of the other.  It's all about the experience not the destination.