3-27-2014 Hike - Illinois & Michigan Canal

 
Today started out being a little on the wet side.  I didn't think there would be many hikers today. Well we had 13 hardy hikers and CoCoa.  We were scheduled to go to Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon, but switched the hike with the one that was scheduled a few weeks ago.  Looking back, it was a good choice.  I apologize but after the group photo all the other photos were taken with my phone and a little on the blurry side. (learned from that mistake.)

13 HARDY Hikers and Cocoa

I know it looks like bad weather, but it really was a nice hike. When we started out it was raining a bit and then it stopped for most of the hike and resumed for the end.

Ducks resting

We saw ducks along the way.

Beaver

We saw quite a bit of beaver damage along the way. 

There are informational signs all along the Canal.  They tell historical information and also the distance to the next point of interest. Today this one tells us we have 1.2 miles to go yet before we turn around and head back.

The Junction of the Pecumsaugen Creek

Tunnel across the Canal

This is where some of us turned around.  Split Rock Area.  There are also some informational boards here and a small resting area that was built by an eagle scout troop.

Plaque on small shelter

 Mile marker on the way back.

Helmet of some kind

We often find things on our hikes.  Today Peggy found this helmet of some kind on the canal.  Not sure what she is going to do with it. 

It had seventeen locks and four aqueducts to cover the 140-foot (43 m) height difference between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. From 1848 to 1852 the canal was a popular passenger route, but this ended in 1853 with the opening of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad that ran parallel to the canal. The canal had its peak shipping year in 1882 and remained in use until 1933. It was replaced in 1900 by the larger Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which remains in use.


Very interesting hike today.  We had 3 new hikers and saw some things we didn't see before.  We saw and heard a pair of eagles overhead which was awesome.  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.

3-26-2014 - Starved Rock / French Canyon 1 hour hike

At Starved Rock Lodge we have an overnight package that includes a 1 hour guided hike.  You guessed it, I am the guide (most of the time).  It was a bit chilly, but amazing.  Tuesday I led 2 young energetic couples and Wednesday I led a lovely, interesting family of 5.  We started from the Lodge and went down the 150 stairs on the way to Starved Rock.  What a view!

Lover's Leap

This photo was take at the top of Starved Rock looking east. Lover's Leap.  This is the first view you see once you get up all the stairs.

Lock and Dam

Walking around the boardwalk on top of Starved Rock you will come to the Lock and Dam.  We had a few pelicans floating around, but not very many today.

Leopold Island with Barge in background

Continuing around atop the Rock is Leopold Island.  This is where the majority of the eagles roost in January and February.

My lovely family from Wednesday, Lodge in the background

Last stop at the top.  My family was nice enough to pose for a photo.  This is a great spot to see the Lodge.  Notice the bright blue water tower in the background.

Poison Ivy

I always stop my groups here to tell the dangers of poison ivy. As the saying goes.... Leaves of three, leave it be.  I say it should be... "If its green leave it be, you don't need to be in the green while hiking here.  Just stay in the middle of the trail and you will be fine. No need to be off the trail, touching the green stuff."

Main trail to French

Monday night it snowed a little bit.  Just enough to make the trails white.

Bonus frozen waterfall in French

I know it seems weird to say this is a bonus waterfall, but it generally is not there.  On your way into French it is on your left across the canyon.  It also flows a little in the Spring.  Most of the time you don't even know it is there.

Going into French

The trail going into French was a little icy.  My hikers were very agile, so we gave it a try.  I haven't been in there probably since December.  There are some sandstone steps that is an ice slide.  There was enough of it melted and gone that we were able to get in.  We just took it slow.  Both groups said it was well worth the little bit of slipping.  I kept OOOoooing, AAAhhhing and Wowwwwing.  Once they each got in, they were saying the same thing....Wait for it.........

French

I have never seen French like this.  These big chunks are of ice.  The water is flowing and I thought I would give a video another try.  Hope it works.

My two couples from Tuesday

Notice the big crack in the ice in front of their feet!  Ice was about 2-3 feet deep.  It may take a few warm weather days for it to thaw.  

Coming out of French

As you can see it is just as nice a view coming out of French as it was going in.  What a great couple of days to be hiking. Even for just an hour.

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.

3-20-2014- St. Louis, Aurora, Sac and Kickapoo Canyons

Today was the first day of Spring.  03-20-2014  We had 16 Walker Club members and Cocoa.  We are headed out to St. Louis Canyon.  On the way we will see Aurora, Sac and Kickapoo Canyons.

Icy trails

The trails today were a little icy in spots.  Most of the time you could walk on the edges.  Many of us still wore the Yak trax.  Maybe we will get to put them away????

Nice Waterfall in Aurora

Kickapoo Canyon

Quite a bit of snow in St. Louis Canyon

St. Louis Canyon Rock Slide

This is where the rock slide took place in 2002.  You can still tell a little.

St. Louis Canyon ice fall

Bottom of the ice fall

At the bottom of the fall where the water is falling is about 3 feet thick of ice.  We also went behind the ice fall.

Suzanne

Ice fingers behind the frozen fall

Walker's Club

On the way back I had everyone sit on this long slab of sandstone for a photo.  I always wanted to take a photo here.  What a great looking group!!!

Iron in the sandstone

Inside Aurora Canyon

Aurora is my favorite canyon.  Not many people go here, in comparison to other canyons.  Today getting there was a little tricky.  I had to slide down a few steps on my rear.  Only 3 of us went all the way in the Canyon.

Inside Aurora Canyon- looking up

If you look at the top of the photo you can see the railing of the walkway.  That is the same walkway we were on going out to St. Louis.

Trash

 It is that time of year again....  Remember those candles that you could burn and when you get to the bottom there was a prize?  Well it is the same way with the snow.  When it melts, we are left with many surprises that seemed too heavy to carry in the winter. (yeah right).  When going out, carry a small trash bag (plastic grocery bags work great).





 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.

3-16-2014Owl Prowl Night Hike

This hike is a little different than most.  For one it is more like a walk.  And two it is at night.  March 14th, 15th and 16th was our Owl Prowl weekend whereas each night we took 40 people (20 in each group - max.) on a short walk to call and hopefully see owls.  Sunday night was reserved for our guests that chose to stay in the overnight package.  My day to do the evening walk was Sunday.

STEVE BAILEY

Our guide on Sunday was Steve Bailey (an ornithologist).  He started out the evening with an Owl Presentation in the LaSalle Room in the Lodge at 6:00p.m.  Near 7:00p.m. we lent everyone flashlights that left theirs at home.  And we were off.

A LITTLE PAST SUNSET

We headed out toward Aurora Canyon.  Didn't really go very far, we just hung out on the stairs and listened in silence (it seemed like forever) as Steve did his thing.

After about 3-4 calls, which seemed liked forever, they first called back.  And then they flew in.  I was in the back of the group and couldn't get a good photo.  However there was a guest on Friday night's hike that had a much better camera than I had.  He e-mailed it to me this morning just in case I didn't get a photo.  Thanks to Mr and Mrs Tom Peters.

BARRED OWL- PHOTO TAKEN BY TOM PETERS

BEAUTIFUL EVENING

It was a beautiful evening to be out.  It was a clear night with a full moon.








 On the way to my car I was really hoping to see some kind of wildlife.  Our resident raccoons didn't disappoint.  The longer I stayed to get a better photo, the more comfortable the raccoon got with me standing there.  He finally started to walk toward me, so I took the photo and got out of there.

RACCOON ON THE PARKING LOT

OWL BOX NEAR WEST PARKING LOT

In addition, we also have a few of owl boxes in hopes of attracting some owl families.  Here is a photo of one near our West parking lot.  Not sure if any has taken up residence yet.







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.

Hike - Council Overhang, Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons

What a great day for a hike.  Well really, to be honest, everyday is a great day for a hike.  What made today special is that it was Thursday.  Every Thursday is Walker's Club at the Lodge.  We meet in the Starved Rock Lodge Lobby at 9:00a.m.  Today we had 10 hikers plus myself and CoCoa.  It was a little on the chilly side, but by the time you put on your wool mittens, flannel lined jeans and eagle hat, it was quite comfortable.

The trek today was scheduled to go to the Illinois Michigan Canal.  I rallied the group to see if they were up to something a little more flashier. (my first blog day).  We had a couple of guests that were staying at the Lodge with us, and they had already hiked to St. Louis and LaSalle Canyons.  One of our hikers suggested driving to Ottawa, Kaskaskia and Council Overhang parking and hiking into those Canyons from there.

Sign from the road to turn off of Rt. 71

  We all put on our Yak-Trax or something similar and we were on our way.  The trail wasn't really icy it was just a little crunchy.

THE BOOT

The first area we came to is the intersection by Council Overhang, whereas there is a trail to the right that will bring you back to the Lodge.  I love this photo!  Please use your imagination, can you see the hiking boot?  We hiked on up to Council Overhang.  What a sight!  We went up one side and down the other.  Once we came down the other side we were met with an ice jam.  We just chose our steps carefully and into Ottawa Canyon we went.

COUNCIL OVERHANG

I hadn't been in Ottawa Canyon for a while.  At least since the fall.  What's up with that?  Frozen and magnificent.  I had never seen it so wide.  Took a few photos.  I was having a great time.  Our guests from the Lodge that joined us were also having fun.

OTTAWA CANYON

Me and my eagle hat from behind Ottawa Canyon

How can you go to Ottawa Canyon and not go to Kaskaskia Canyon?  You can't.  So off we went to Kaskaskia Canyon. You had you watch your footing a bit more on this one, but we were rewarded once we arrived.  I was really getting into taking photos so I thought I would try the video capabilities on my camera.  We'll see how it does.

KASKASKIA CANYON

KASKASKIA CANYON VIDEO

After leaving Kaskaskia we were headed to Illinois Canyon via the swamp trail (connects the 2 parking areas).  We knew we may have some difficulty crossing the stream at one of the three crossings if not all of them.  But again it was a great day for hiking so we thought we would give it a try.  Well, we made it over the first stream fine but the second stream was flowing ALOT.  So we all turned around and headed back.  It was after all around 10:30a.m.

 

THE DRIVE BACK TO THE LODGE

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.