Starved Rock, Lover's Leap, Eagle's Cliff 11-25-15

Theme photo of the hike

Today we had 34 hikers that left the Lodge for a VERY slippery

Steps behind the Lodge were fine except for the landings.  150 steps down.

Once we reached the bottom of the stairway we were met with the first of many sections of ice for the day.

View of Lover's Leap  and Dam from the top of Starved Rock

Ron telling the Legend of Starved Rock

View of the Lock and Dam from the top of Starved Rock

We were lucky enough to see this lone eagle on a tree on Leopold Island.  View is from the top of Starved Rock.

 

Icy trail on the boardwalk on top of Starved Rock.

View of the Starved Rock Lodge from the top of Starved Rock

We came down from Starved Rock and headed into French Canyon.  Surprisingly there was no ice going into the canyon.

The beginning of French Canyon

French Canyon

All of us just loving French Canyon.  So nice I even took a photo.

 

One way in, one way out.

The top of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

Ice on the Lover's Leap deck

Some of the hiker's didn't venture down the steps at Lover's Leap, because there was so much ice on the steps.

"Best View in the Park"  View of the Illinois River from Eagle's Cliff looking East

Top of Pontiac Canyon

View of Wildcat Canyon waterfall from the West overlook.  (The East Overlook has a better view).

Top of Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

The ice on this hike was very surprising.  Some of the hikers had their Yak-trax or Katoohlas with them.  I did not. Let that be a lesson to me.  From now through the winter months, traction devices are a must.  Just bring them along to be safe.


I will leave you with this: If you wait for the perfect weather day to go hiking, you would never go out.