Rt. 71 Nature Preserve Feb. 14, 2016

My friends Lori and Peggy and I decided to check out the Nature Preserve one more time before Spring.  We were a little worried about the ice falls being gone.  It is a big area with no trails.  It also has many hills that weave in every direction.  Upon entering we thought we would try a different parking lot today.  We parked near the old horse stables and walked in.  It was pretty windy when we were not in the trees.  Thankfully we were in the trees or canyons most of the hike.  It had snowed early in the morning so the ground was covered. It also started snowing again about half way through our hike.

East side of Twin Falls

Icicles underneath the East Twin Falls

Icicles forming from the bottom

From behind the East Twin Falls

West Twin Falls.  I don't think this one is as picturesque as the East side.  It doesn't help that there are trees on the waterfall area. 

Sandstone wall on the way up into Joliet Canyon (Upper end of the West side)

We all brought our Katoohlas this time.  Still had to walk on the snow covered ice to get in and up into the canyon.  There was no other way in.  Straight up the center. Nothing but ice.

Katoohlas.  These go over your boots with small spikes on the bottom.

Lori went first

This was the pay off.  Just beautiful!  We did have to sit down and slide down in a few of the areas.  What fun!

  We came down from Joliet canyon and went up the West side to Marquette Canyon.  When we arrived there were some cool ice formations and the major icefall.

Marquette Canyon

Marquette Canyon

You couldn't really go behind the waterfall her, but it sure was nice seeing whole icicles in the canyons.

This is as far as you can go behind the icefall.  It was like being in a phone booth

Snowy way back

  

What a wonderful Oak tree.  Lori is a tree hugger! 

On the way back to the car I saw this mini canyon on the way.  Similar to Pontiac Canyon

Canyon on the way back to the car.  Don't know the name.

I will leave you with this: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.