Thursday, October 16, 2014

Oct. 16, 2014 Wildcat, LaSalle Canyons

 Today's Walker's club left the Lodge at 9:00a.m. heading out on the Campanulla Trail to Wildcat Canyon.  On the bluff trail, down 155 steps to the river trail and to LaSalle Canyon.  From there we came back on the river trail, into Wildcat Canyon, up to Eagles Cliff and Lover's Leap and back to the Lodge about 12:00p.m.  Great Colors!  Great Day for a hike!  Enjoy!

22 hikers
 
Started the hike with some great color!



Top of Wildcat Canyon

Everyone was taking photos of color today!

Wildcat Canyon from the East overlook

Joe

Sandstone Point

Some large pleasure crafts heading south for the Winter

Break is over, time to get a move on...


Burl

155 steps, going down....

Fall Colors  from the LaSalle Canyon bridge
Great Blue Heron, near the LaSalle Canyon Bridge

LaSalle Canyon- Yes that is a waterfall!

LaSalle Canyon

LaSalle Canyon

LaSalle Canyon from behind the waterfall

LaSalle Canyon from behind the waterfall.  I forgot my umbrella this time.

Wasp nest over the stream in LaSalle Canyon
 
Steps in LaSalle Canyon

Yellow flower coming out of LaSalle Canyon

I looked this one up and think it is the Possumhaw. Never heard of it before.

While the fresh green leaves and smooth, light gray stems are enough to make possumhaw holly an attractive shrub, the appeal of this plant is more evident in late fall. Bunches of small berries form along the branches and turn bright red as the leaves fall off. Only female plants bear fruit (plant at least one male plant for best berry production), which finally becomes palatable to wildlife in the early spring. Possumhaw tends to sucker from the roots, so it's best to allow it to form a multitrunk screen.
Noteworthy Characteristics:  Bright red berries in fall and winter. U.S. native.


Heron along the river in flight

Yes ladies, we are going that far.  That would be Eagles Cliff in the distance.

Wildcat Canyon

Wildcat Canyon

View from Eagles Cliff.  I still say this is the best view in the park!
 
Lock and Dam from Eagles Cliff


View of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

Still enjoying our Pelican friends
 
Time to RETURN to work (behind a desk and in front of a computer)
 It was a great day for a hike.  The rain I think has finally stopped. The colors are almost peaked.  I think a few more days with some sun and we will be brilliant.  Glad I got to experience it today.

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.

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