The Starved Rock Walkers Club (+1 dog) drove to the east end of the Park to see Council Overhang, Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons. Then they hiked the trail connecting two parking lots (the Swamp Trail) to go in and out of Illinois canyon. A nice late summer sojourn!
Walkers on the hardly muddy trail to Council Overhang.
Forty-some walkers had plenty of room in the native American "man cave" named Council Overhang.
Leaving the Overhang and entering Ottawa Canyon.
This is Jeremiah. He's a good friend of mine!
Lobelia loves the damp parts of the Park like here along Kaskaskia Creek.
A brief pause here at the headwall of Kaskaskia Canyon.
Exiting the mouth of Kaskaskia Canyon headed
for Illinois Canyon.
No, we are not reporting the broken "blarney stone" in the canyon! ;)
A September view up Illinois Creek.
"Touch-me-not" pods in front of a jewel weed blossom. Both parts of the same plant.
A line of "fun guys" on a trail step-over.
Yes, the trails are gathering a leaf carpet.
We thought we were crossing a creek, but it might well be a summer/fall boundary.
A forest growing on a canyon floor has to get its branches straight up into the sunlight as quickly as possible.
A quiet pool along Illinois Creek.
Just finished the last of six stream crossings on the canyon floor. Always best to walk this at dry times.
In September many Park trails are bordered by yellow blossomed jewel weed hedges.
Some September vegetation reminds us who was
on the trail first!
We found a trail-side group of "fun guys" having
a real high time!
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