Starved Rock Nature Preserve Jan. 21, 2016

Today's Walker's Club left with 25 people.  The scheduled walk was one of the Nature Preserves- Walker's Choice.  So I chose the Nature Preserve off of Rt. 71 near the Vermillion River.  We had to REALLY carpool as there is only space for 6-7 cars in the parking lot there.  There was another group of hikers that stayed on the trails here by the Lodge.  They trekked to Wildcat Canyon, Lover's Leap and Eagles Cliff. (not pictured).  The trails are increasingly getting icy.  If you plan on going hiking, please wear some extra traction on your boots.  Yak trax or Katoohlas work the best. The gift shop at the Lodge carries the Yak trax.  Well worth the money.

Theme Photo of the hike

There are no trails in the Nature Preserve.

Nice frozen icicles on the wall going in.

Glen on an ice shelf.  This is how high the water was earlier when it flooded. (look at the bottoms of all the other trees).

Lots of trash floated in

Since this is an area that is often damp and often flooded, the Cottonwood trees love having their "feet" wet.  Couldn't resist the photo.  A bunch of tree huggers!

5 hikers circled the tree.  End to end, this was the circumference.

When we got to our half way point, there is a little cave like area that is along the Illinois River.  Some call it Little Rock, Split Rock and I have a map that calls it Chimney Rock. 

This wasn't taken on the hike, but on my way to work this morning on Rt. 351.  We have been seeing 2 adult eagles side by side for quite a while.  Even though they mate for life, during the winter months they are solitary.  I still think they are a pair that lives here.

I will leave you with this: When you think that you are not happy with your life, always think that someone is happy simply because you exist.

First Day Hike, Jan. 1st - St. Louis, Aurora, French Canyon, and Starved Rock

January 1st, First hike of the year.  There was some flooding on the River trail yesterday, so I thought I would take them to St. Louis, Aurora and French Canyons and to the top of Starved Rock.  We had 13 hikers plus myself.

Theme photo of hike

1st day hike.  Jan. 1st

 

Sac Canyon

The stream was hard to cross in St. Louis Canyon.  Some just stayed put, others took the chance on a log crossing.

Icicles hanging in St. Louis

St. Louis Canyon, See video below

 

I gave them the option of going back to the Lodge after St. Louis or going into Aurora Canyon (my favorite canyon for obvious reasons).  All went to Aurora!  Yeah!!!

Aurora Canyon

Stunning icicles in Aurora Canyon

flood debris by the State Park Visitor Center

Beautiful skies, atop Starved Rock

Going into French, a little icy on the right side

 

Nice waterfall in French Canyon.  Definitely photo worthy.

Great day for a hike.  The company was awesome and appreciated all the beauty.  We saw a few eagles on the West bluff trail to St. Louis and a couple on top of Starved Rock while we were there.

I will leave you with this: What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.

Wildcat, Lover's Leap, Eagle's Clif December 31, 2015

Early this morning it snowed maybe an inch, leaving the roads very slippery.  23 walkers today.  Great day for a hike.  We started our walk on the Campanula trail on the way to Wildcat Canyon.  We stayed on the bluff trail and went down the stairs by Lonetree canyon headed to LaSalle Canyon.  The trail was flooded by the LaSalle Canyon bridge so we turned around and went to Eagle's Cliff and Lover's Leap. 

Theme photo of the hike

23 hikers today and 2 dogs

Good thing we don't need the map

 Upper French Canyon

When we started out there had been only one person on the trail before us.

Upper Wildcat Canyon

Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

And how do we get into the Canyon?  Not today.

From Wildcat Canyon on.  We were the first ones on the trail.

I made the mistake of saying, that I should make a snow angel.....So here she is.  I will call her Susan.

Where did it go?  Sandstone Point

Oh here it is.  What happened?

Going down 155, on our way to the River trail

The river is getting real close to the trail

Almost to the LaSalle Canyon Bridge.  Now the Illinois River is on the trail.  LaSalle Canyon will have to wait until another day.

Little waterfall under Sandstone Point

I thought this was a real duck, until I didn't see it moving.  This was a close as we would come today to seeing wildlife.

View of the Dam from Eagles Cliff.  All dam gates are open

View from Eagles Clif

View to the East from Eagles Clif

View of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

French Canyon from the bluff trail

Upper French Canyon, almost back to the Lodge

Finally saw some eagles today.

Reid and Kevin, part of the Walker's Club and brothers, built these snowballs while hiking today.  They tossed them around when they returned and the one who dropped the ball first was the loser.  The same brother dropped the ball twice.  Who was it???  I'm not telling.

I will leave you with this: You can only do something first once, no matter how much you wish you knew then what you know now.

Dec. 10, 2015 Starved Rock, French, Wildcat and Pontiac Canyons

Photo of the day

 
Today's walkers went to the top of Starved Rock, French, Pontiac and Wildcat Canyons.  Today was also our Christmas Party.  After the hike, we went to the Main Dining Room of the Lodge for Lunch. We also hosted a cookie exchange, where if you brought dozen cookies, we would mix them up and you would go home with a mixture of 2 doz cookies. 

43 walkers today.  The weather was about 52 and windy.  

View of Lover's Leap from Starved Rock

We were lucky enough to see 2 eagles flying while we were at the top of Starved Rock

Lock and Dam

Windy flags at the top of Starved Rock

View of the Lodge from the West side of Starved Rock

Take out what you bring in.  This is the last can, just like the sign says.

Going into French

Almost there

Joe is telling the story of how French Canyon got its name.

My friend Jennifer on the left with her friend Sheryl (now my friend also), celebrating Jennifer's birthday with us today.  Happy Birthday !!!

Coming out of French, be careful of these steps in the winter when the ice forms. Last year it was a very slippery ice slide.  If you slid in, you had a very tough time getting out. 

We couldn't decide if something had a fight here, a dog was brushed here or Santa trimmed his beard.

52 degrees was pretty toasty for Gary

Pontiac Canyon

I'm on the East overlook, taking a photo of the West overlook

Wildcat Canyon, looking good!!!!

Move em out!!! It's time for lunch!!!  How many people does this platform hold????

We took an additional walk on the flat trail coming from the overflow parking area.  The biggest burl in the park is located here.

They brought their cookies in the morning.  While we were all hiking, my office mixed them up and repackaged them.  We even had a few that didn't make it in the packages, those were great for dessert.

Some walkers had their spouses meet them for lunch.  48 enjoyed lunch.  We also took up a collection for the local homeless shelter (IV PADS) $330.00.  This was a great day.  How many times does one person get to be in a room filled with their friends?  I am totally blessed and grateful to be able spend my Thursdays with this group of people. 

I will leave you with this: For one minute, walk outside, stand there, in silence, look up at the sky, and contemplate, how amazing life is!