The Walker's Club hike today was suppose to hike from the Lodge to LaSalle Canyon. I haven't been there in awhile and was really looking forward to it. However, the State of Illinois was going to spray for the invasive Emerald Ash Borer in the morning and closed the East end of the park. So we changed our hike. It was a great cool day for a hike. Enjoy the hike!
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| 25 hikers plus 2 dogs |
We first came to the top of Aurora Canyon. It was dry. On the way back we will stop in Aurora Canyon (It is my favorite canyon).
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| Top of Aurora |
There is a little water flowing in Sac Canyon. Not a good place to get a photo.
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| Top of Sac |
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| Top of Sac Canyon |
There are Hydrangea bushes everywhere. I even took a close up photo.
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| Hydrangea Bushes |
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| Close up Hydrangea |
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| Spiderwort |
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| Mushroom along the way |
There are many unique sandstone formations on the way to St.Louis Canyon. This one is the most colorful with the added iron that is present.
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| Jack Gene and Don |
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| Campanula - (Harebell) |
I don't know much about this vine, but it makes for a neat photo. It is on the way to St. Louis Canyon.
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| Small pink flowers -??? |
We arrived at St. Louis Canyon to a magnificent waterfall. Better than I anticipated. I even took a video.
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| St. Louis Canyon |
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| All enjoying St. Louis Canyon |
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| St Louis Canyon |
We finally had to leave St. Louis canyon and head back. After the first stairway back, some of us took a little break at the bench.
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| Break time |
On the way back there is this large rock (taller than me) that has this hole in the bottom that goes all the way through. I always wanted to take a photo of it. Enjoy!
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| Cool formation |
A lot of this section of the trail has a boardwalk. Nice to walk on when its dry. When it is wet or icy, be careful they can be slick.
Mayapple - The ripened fruit is edible in little amounts, though when consumed in large amounts the fruit is poisonous. The rhizome, foliage and roots are also poisonous.
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| Mayapple (not edible) |
Jack in the Pulpit fruit - Consumption of the raw plant material results in a powerful burning
sensation. It can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive system,
and on rare occasions the swelling of the mouth and throat may be severe
enough to affect breathing.
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| Jack in the Pulpit fruit. Tiny green berries in the center. |
Onto my favorite Canyon..... Aurora. How can one not love this Canyon..... Just look at the entrance.....Bishop's Cap and Hydrangeas line the picturesque walkway going in.
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| Going in Aurora |
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| Aurora Canyon |
We barely all fit in the Canyon. But I think they secretly like this canyon as much as I do, they just don't want to admit it. It has great character and personality!
There is plenty of poison ivy everywhere in the park. Be especially careful when by the stairs. They creep out. Leaves of 3 leave them be.
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| Poison Ivy |
This pelican carving marks the entrance and exit to the trails to the west of the Lodge. There is a walking tour brochure at the Lodge called Art in the Park. It contains all of the Woodcarving artwork that we have and also the other art pieces around the Lodge grounds. If you are not up for a hike this is perfect for you. We have about 35 pieces from bronze statues to Chainsaw woodart. Enjoy!
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| Pelican carving |
Sadly enough, people that come to relax and enjoy the park are the ones that make it a mess. Most of the time when I go hiking I bring along a plastic grocery sack and pick up trash. Today there were 3 people with bags picking up trash. All 3 of us had our bags full. I picked up water bottles, straws, candy wrapper, a pair of gloves and even a pool towel from the Lodge. I challenge and urge you all to bring a bag when hiking.
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| Garbage |
Today upon our return to the Lodge, we all enjoy some homemade ice cream in the Cafe. Today's flavors were: Banana Split, Vanilla, Strawberry, Praline Pecan, Chipolte Chocolate, Mocha Coffee Bean (that was my choice), Smores and Chocolate.
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| Today's ice cream choices |
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| All enjoying ice cream |
What a great way to end a great hike with ice cream. The Lodge makes the ice cream daily as needed in the kitchen and distributes it to the various locations: The Cafe (by the front desk). Elements (the main dining room). Trailheads (Visitor Center concessions). Cattails (Gift shop and wine tasting room on Rt. 178 & Rt. 6). Enjoy!
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.
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