Thursday, May 8, 2014

May 8, 2014 Wildcat, Lonetree, Basswood French Canyons, Sandstone Overlook

At today's Walker's Club we had 26 people or so and 2 dogs.  The green foliage is really starting to come out, as you will see in some of the photos.  The wildflowers still are putting on a great show.  Enjoy!  


Walker's Club today
Flowering Crab, Redbud
The flowers started right after we began our hike.  Flowering Crab, Redbud.


Upper French
We generally start on the Campunala Trail, but today we went on the Bluff Trail, and took the connecting trail over Pontiac Canyon to Wildcat.  On this first section of trail is where the Shooting Stars are found.  They just started to come out.


Shooting Star





There is generally more flowers on the stem. They can range in colors from white, pink, lavender, to a bright fuscia.  I know I've said this before about other flowers, but this is one of my favorite flowers.












Shooting Stars
Shooting Stars


Walkway over Pontiac Canyon


Mayapples
Mayapples are getting there.  The small green bud underneath of the umbrella leaves will bloom into a daisy like white flower.  Some may be blooming by the weekend, depending where you are in the park.


Small yellow Violet
There are not as many of these yellow ones as there are of the purple ones.



Looking down into Pontiac Canyon


Top of Wildcat (lovely Bluebells in the distance)


Top of Wildcat


Wildcat Canyon
Poison Ivy






It's that time of year!  Poison Ivy is starting to get green.  It grows as a low lying plant (photo), vine (photo) and a shrub.  All parts of  the plant will make you itch.  Leaves of 3 leave them be!!  I say, if its green leave them be!  There is no need to be in the green stuff, all the trails in the park are plenty wide enough and safe. 

Jack in the Pulpit
Just Jack







What a great pair of Jacks!!!!








False Solomon's Seal



All taking a photo break
Evelyn






All our new members just love getting their photo in the hollowed out tree, Evelyn was no different.















View from Sandstone Point


Burl by Lonetree Canyon
Stairway by Lonetree Canyon


Witches Kitchen???
 Walking along the river is always interesting. Today was the day for snakes.  There were 3 in this tree.


Snake 1 of 3
Snake


Canadian Geese with family


Garlic Mustard and Dandelions




It is time to return to the Lodge and continue on with my day.  I am actually on vacation this week.  My backpacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains got postponed with all the snow they still have on the ground and some of the roads are still closed. The Walker's Club is a great group of people that I am proud to call my friends. It was great to still go hiking.



Flowering Redbud


Lower entrance to the park
The lower entrance to the park is finally almost lined with a green tunnel again.




Asparagus

My friends Arnie and Linda brought me 2 bundles of Asparagus when they came for Walker's Club today.  (I had a great lunch!)  Thank you!!!



 

What a great day!  Great Hike!  
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.

2 comments:

  1. I always enjoy your blogs and, of course, the hikes. Joining the Walkers' Club is one of the best things I have done within the past year!

    ReplyDelete