Thirteen intelligent looking SR Walkers (0 dogs) braved the All Hallows Eve blizzard conditions to see Council Overhang, Kaskaskia, & Ottawa Canyons. It was not the usual walk in the Park.
We began during a lull in the precipitation.
The overnight accumulation was enough to turn "the boot" next to the overhang into a snow boot.
The "Autumn" view out the Council Overhang window.
The snow began again as we entered the mouth of Kaskaskia Canyon.
The invigorated Kaskaskia waterfall did its best to fill the creek bed.
Note that while our sanity can be questioned, we are all appropriately dressed for the conditions. There is no bad weather, just bad clothing!
Leaving Kaskaskia Canyon headed for Ottawa Canyon.
A snowglobe view of the Ottawa Canyon headwall.
A view down Ottawa Creek.
The Ottawa waterfall was forcefully arcing out into its plunge pool!
The two strand lines on the plunge pool indicate that the water was quite recently deeper.
The obligatory down canyon pic from behind the waterfall.
Note the splash patterns of two falls at the bottom of the snowglobe.
Walking towards the mouth of Ottawa Canyon.
Yes, I am wearing my Yak Trax Extremes OVER my rubber creek-crossing boots!
Walking through the frosted Fall foliage was totally worth it!
From the parking lot, seven Walkers decided to continue on into Illinois Canyon. I wasn't one of them.
Why do we walk on such a day? Maybe we agree with W.J. Holland who said,
"Happy is the individual who has acquired the love of walking for its own sake!"
Forty plus Starved Rock Walkers (+2 dogs) took the East Bluff Trail out to the Sandstone Point stairs and came back along the River Trail. Last weekend was Fall Colors Weekend at SRSP, but the colors are peaking this weekend. A fine Fall day for a walk in the Park!
There are 40+ "Art in the Park" chainsaw carvings on the Lodge grounds.This has always been my favorite.
An autumn view up French Creek from the trail bridge.
SR Walkers passing through upper Wildcat Canyon.
An autumn view of the west rim overlook above Wildcat Canyon.
A rare glimpse of the east wall of Basswood Canyon.
The Park removed the Basswood Canyon trail sign. There was just no good way to keep the "B" in Basswood on this sign!
Trail carpeting in being laid down and the "green tunnel" over the trail
is turning gold.
A refreshing pause atop Sandstone Point.
A downriver view of the bluff from Sandstone Point.
There's gold in Lone Tree Canyon!
The icebox in "witches kitchen" is an older model from Bedrock, Iowa.
A River Trail view of the stuff that makes up Sandstone Point.
There is no McDonald's in the Park, but you may see a "golden arch" along the River Trail.
Almost every SR Walker overlooks the Beehive.
"Been there, done that!"
The River Trail bridge across Pontiac Creek.
The spider-like blossoms of witch hazel.
A River Trail sighting of the Eagle Cliff platform.
A view of Autumn arriving onto the South Bluff from the Eagle Cliff platform.
This white oak leaf is obviously wearing its Halloween costume!
So many acorns, so little time!
Autumn is falling onto the "Hungry Butte". Don't miss it!
As Lou Reed says,
"Take a walk on the wild side!"
