May 14, 2014 Wildcat & LaSalle Canyons, Lover's Leap, Eagles Cliff

Today the hike was a group of students from Frankfort Germany.  They were visiting a high school in Portage Indiana and were on a field trip.  25 students, 2 chaperones and 1 bus driver.  We departed for the 4 1/2 mile hike from the Lodge about 11:00a.m. with lunches.  

Group photo

Joe was explaining about how the canyons were formed.

Listening to Geology Joe

Wildflowers are still looking great!

Wild Geranium

Wild Phlox

Jack in the Pulpit

Prairie Trillium

Our first stop was at Wildcat Canyon on the bluff trail.  We looked down into the canyon and continued on.  On the way back we went into Wildcat Canyon

Upper Falls at Wildcat Canyon

Joe telling about the ice climbers that were enjoying the ice falls this past winter.

Wildcat Overlook

Wildcat Waterfall from the overlook

Pussy toes

The following photo is of the Real Solomon's Seal.  You can tell by the little flowers hanging down the center.

Real Solomon's Seal

Wild Columbine

Nodding White Trillium

Mouse ears  / Chickweed

Just before we got to the turn to LaSalle Canyon, we came to the closed trail sign to Tonti Canyon.  You can still get to Tonti, but you have to go around back through LaSalle Canyon.

Closed trail to Tonti

Lunch time at LaSalle Canyon.  What a great waterfall. 

LaSalle Canyon

View of Eagles Cliff from the river trail

Beaver damage

Wildcat Canyon

Tough crossing in Wildcat Canyon

Once we left Wildcat Canyon we went on to the top of Eagle's Cliff and then onto Lover's Leap

View from Eagle's Cliff

Clearing out the dam

Joe telling the Legend of Starved Rock and Lover's Leap on Lover's Leap

Leopold Island

Pelicans around Leopold Island

Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

Shooting Stars have about a week left. 

Shooting Stars

Wood Betony

Wood Betony just started blooming.





















We were back to the Lodge on time by 2:30p.m. Everyone had a great time.  It was a little chilly but we didn't get any rain.

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.