12-18-2014 Trolley to Council Overhang and walk back to the Lodge

Today's hike we met in the Lodge's lobby at 9:00a.m. as usually and walked out to the trolley on the parking lot and rode a trolley to the East end of the Park.  Kevin drove the trolley and dropped 28 hikers (himself and I included) plus 3 dogs and walked back to the Lodge from there.  We did take a walk to Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon.

Council Overhang

All of the hikers getting a lift.  Even the 3 dogs

Sign by the parking lot

Use your imagination, yes it is a hiking boot.  Just around the corner is Council Overhang

Council Overhang.  Everyone is listening to Joe talk about how this formation came to be here

Joe enlightening us all

Our newest 4 legged friend "Ellie"

Going into Ottawa Canyon

A fresh sand fall at the base of Ottawa Canyon

Giant rock in Ottawa Canyon it is on the East side

Crossing Rt. 71 on our way back

Once we crossed the road we went up this flight of steps

This is Joe near Hennepin Canyon Overlook

Hennepin Canyon Bridge

a look into Hennepin Canyon.  It's hard to see here, but that white stuff on the branch in the middle really sticks out when your there.  Looks like just that branch got some snow.

The best photo I could get of Hennepin Canyon frozen ice falls

Hidden Canyon, well we think it's Hidden Canyon.  Who knows, maybe it is still hidden.  We stop here and tell everyone about it anyway.

Going down the steps by Owl Canyon. We think 155

New bridge along the river

Bridge going over the creek coming out of LaSalle and Tonti Canyons

Neat Sandstone formation along the river trail

Love those roots!

View of Eagle's Cliff at a resting spot.  If it was warmer we would have stayed longer.

View of Wildcat Canyon from the top (East Overlook)

Upper Wildcat Canyon

And we're back.  Great Hall entrance to the Lodge

The Starved Rock Lodge's Photography Show and Contest is coming up on February 22, 2014.  Here is the link to download an entry form. http://www.starvedrocklodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/PHOTO-CONTEST-2015-CONTEST-RULES.pdf  If this doesn't work, and you are still interested, please call my office at 815-220-7386 and I can direct you to it or e-mail you a form.  


Today was a great hike (not that there is really a bad hike).  No wind, moderate temperature, no precipitation, its all good.  

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.

12-11-14 Wildcat, French, Lover's Leap, Eagles Cliff, Christmas Party

This is the only eagle we saw today

Today's hike was a short one to Wildcat Canyon, Eagles Cliff, Lover's Leap, French Canyon and then back to the Lodge for a Cookie Swap and Lunch in the Lodge's Main Dining Room.  There were 32 hikers plus 3 dogs.  For the Cookie Swap and Lunch we had 35.    

Nice group of hikers, led by Ron and Joe

Just imagine the stories this tree could tell!!

Walking on top of Pontiac Canyon

View of the Eastern overlook from the West Side overlook at Wildcat Canyon

How many people do you suppose this deck can hold??? (The deck on the West side of Wildcat Canyon)

This is Mandy.  It was really hard getting her to sit still for a photo. She loves to hike with her master Rosanne.

Upper Wildcat

All of us in Wildcat Canyon

Wildcat Canyon

Cocoa - She also has a hard time sitting still for a photo.  She just wants to hike.

Ann has 3 dogs.  She rotates them hiking with us.  I get their names mixed up as they are similar. Kevin pictured here is home schooled and just loves the dogs!

Red stakes mean the River Trail.  With the Return sticker, we are now returning to the Lodge / Visitor Center

Walking back on the River Trail

On the River Trail with Eagles Cliff in the back

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center - Lock and Dam

View from Eagles Cliff - "Best View in the Park"

A lone boater

One "Eagle" on the Eagles Cliff

Not one Eagle on Leopold Island

Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

Devil's Nose in the distance.

Going Dooooowwwwnnnn

Going into French.  This is where the BONUS waterfall will be.  Nothing yet.

Quite the line to get into French Canyon

French Canyon- No ice- No water- just a trickle

One of our hikers- Kevin, at the top of French Canyon spying on us.

Joe, trying not to get his feet wet!

The way into/out of French Canyon

Coming out of French.  With all the leaves you would think it was Fall

One of the two eagles on either side of the Fox Canyon bridge.  Donated by the Family of Jerry Krasinski

Today we all enjoyed lunch together and a cookie swap.  35 were here for lunch

Cookies all boxed up and ready to go home.  We even had some left over for dessert and sampling!  What a great tradition.

The Starved Rock Lodge's Walker's Club meets every Thursday at 9:00a.m. in the Lodge's hotel lobby.  We first announce where we are going to hike.  We take off from there.  If we need to drive to the location (Matthiessen or Buffalo Rock State Park, etc...) we will carpool.  If the hiker decides they would like to hike every week we give them a punch card.  Every time they hike with us they get a punch.  When they receive 12 punches they get a free lunch in the Lodge's dining room.  Many times our guests that are staying at the Lodge will come hiking with the group.  This is the Lodge's way of saying thank you for treating our guests to a great hike, and enlightening them about the area we call home.  

I get to see and visit with all these wonderful people that I am proud to call my friends. I really look forward to hiking on Thursdays.  I am truly blessed!

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.