Sunday, April 19, 2015

April 16th & 18th Wildcat, LaSalle Canyon and Lover's Leap and Eagle's Cliff

I did two hikes this week. Went to the same places.  So I thought I would mesh the photos together.  On Thursday, my friend Lori and her son Kevin with their dog Phoenix.  And on Saturday I hiked with the Take a Hike and lunch group.  Both hikes went to Wildcat and LaSalle Canyons, Lover's Leap and Eagles Cliff. Both days were equally beautiful with Saturday being much hotter in temperature.

Dutchman's Britches with some May apples sprinkled in.


Tooth wort

Lori, Kevin and Phoenix at upper Wildcat Canyon

Upper Wildcat

Upper Wildcat



View from the Eastern overlook of Wildcat Canyon

Kevin in the photo spot

Many of the trees are blooming white

View from Sandstone Point - Looking at the Zimmerman Site (Halfway House or the Sulfur Springs Hotel)

Spring beauties trying to open

Young ferns along the sandstone

Yellow Bell Wort are numerous

We still have some Hepatica


Skunk Cabbage - notice the maroon flower at the base.  This is the first wildflower to bloom.  Sometimes when the snow is still on the ground.  Skunk Cabbage can be found in the swampy areas in the park.

Skunk Cabbage

Blood Root

Bridge going to LaSalle Canyon

New Hepatica leaves

False Rue Anemone

Nodding Trillium - This will eventually bloom white.  Maybe another week

LaSalle Canyon on Thursday


LaSalle Canyon on Thursday


Ferns unfurling

Squirrel Corn

Hepatica


Virginia Bluebells, just about ready

We saw this little raccoon in the distance


Blooming Spring Beauties

A field of May Apples.  When these get to be blooming you won't even see the leaves.

Tooth Wort

Blooming Bloodwort

This Blooming Star has a couple of weeks to go before we see the blooms.  It is one of my favorites.

Top of French

Prairie Trillium almost blooming on Thursday

I picked up this bag of Garbage on Thursday.  Sad that people can't take out what they bring in!


Saturday's Hike
 The rest of the photos on this blog's post is from my group on Saturday.  The sun was brighter and hotter and there were lots of people. 
Finally saw the Toad Lily blooming on Saturday, Lots of them!!!


View of Wildcat from the East overlook (notice that on Saturday there is more people

I had a great group of hikers.  One family of 14, a newlywed couple, and a group of 3 ladies celebrating a birthday

My friend "Burl"

Blood Root, almost gone, we were lucky to see these.

One blooming Prairie Trillium all day

Couple of frogs in the water under the LaSalle Canyon bridge

Squirrel Corn

LaSalle Canyon on Saturday

Lunch in LaSalle Canyon

West Wall of LaSalle Canyon

A seat for three.  They are celebrating a birthday.  2 of them have been friends since first grade.  The other one joined in later.  Great group of ladies.

Water falling in LaSalle Canyon

Behind LaSalle Canyon looking out to the East


Little yellow violets

The snakes have arrived.  He was right where I anticipated he would be, right below "The Snake Tree".

View of Eagle's Cliff from the River Trail

Saturday and good weather brings out all the crazies.  A couple of weeks ago, this is the canyon where a man fell and broke both of his legs.

Wildcat Canyon

Yes those are people way up there.  Look close they are there.

Wildcat Canyon on Saturday

"Best view in the Park"  View from Eagles Cliff

It was a hot day!  I enjoyed two glasses of ice water upon my return. 
Both of my hikes were enjoyable!  I had great company.  I will be back out there on Monday for the Waterfall and Canyon Tour.  Ottawa, St. Louis and Aurora (maybe French also).  We'll see.

I will leave you with this: Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground.  Most of the time.  But always stay on the trail at Starved Rock State Park.

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