Wildcat,Pontiac,Lover's Leap, Eagle's Cliff, French, Starved Rock

 Today's there were a total of 56 walkers.  I decided to do two groups.  The first group started with French Canyon, followed by Starved Rock.  From Starved Rock, they took Jacob's Ladder to Lover's Leap and then Eagle's Cliff.  Back tracked a little  then taking the Pontiac Canyon trail to Wildcat Canyon and then back to the Lodge on the Campanula Trail.  The second group saw the same but did it in reverse. Group 1 started with 21 and Group 2 started with 34.

Everyone loving French Canyon

Beware there is lots of Poison Ivy out on the trails.

Group 1 was ahead of us.

We weren't hiking to far when I pointed out the Green Dragon.  We saw a few of these on the way to Wildcat Canyon.  They are extremely hard to find since they are GREEN!

Climbing up our first stairway of the day.

Arriving at Wildcat Canyon

Wildcat Canyon from the East Overlook

Looking at the West Overlook from the East Overlook

Looking at the East Overlook from the West Overlook in Wildcat Canyon

Found a few Columbine flowers on the way to Lover's Leap via the Pontiac Canyon trail.

1 view of Pontiac Canyon

Top of Pontiac Canyon

Pontiac Canyon has been the location of many falls the last few years.  Stay on the marks trails and all will be well.  These Red markers with Not A Trail stickers warn hikers of dangerous areas.

Roseann & Carol taking a shade break with Mandy.  Mandy needed a rest from the stairs.

Eagle's Cliff - Best view in the park!

East End of Eagle's Cliff, looking East also

Starved Rock Lock and Dam area from the top of Eagle's Clif

Lover's Leap with Starved Rock in the background.

What a gorgeous day!  Starved Rock is in the background

Everyone carefully going into French Canyon

French Canyon looking good!

French Canyon

Yellow Flag Iris on the trail just past French Canyon

Virginia Waterleaf - widespread in the park.

The Lodge has 2 of these life size cutouts of M. Filipiak letting hikers know that it is NOT ok to get off the trails and rock climb.  Fines start at $120.00.  Just want everyone to enjoy the park and stay safe! There are 6 of these signs all together.  2 will be placed at the State Park's Visitor Center and 2 will be placed off site at area businesses.

I will leave you with this: "Above all do not lose your desire to walk.  Everyday I walk myself into a state of well being and walk away from every illness.I have walked myself into my best thoughts and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.  But by sitting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill... if one keeps on walking everything will be alright."