Thirty Starved Rock Walkers (+1 dog) climbed the Rock, visited French Canyon, and slid out to Wildcat Canyon and back on a "snow globe" morning in the Park.

 A lodge veranda view of the Hungry Butte, our first stop.

 Walkers leaving the Lodge... 

 ...and descending the 150 metal steps towards the Rock.

The trail ramps two-thirds of the way up the Rock. Yes, every hiker wore traction strapped to the bottom of their boots. The poles make us hard to tip tripods!

 Then up the 66 steps to the top

 It looks like a squirrel beat us up here!

 A view of the Lovers Leap platform from atop the Rock.

The boardwalk around the top was snow covered, frozen, bumpy slush. Hard on the ankles!

 Now we are off the Rock and headed for French Canyon.

 This guy, in full winter camo, passed us on his way to the canyon.

 Walkers entering French Canyon. Not all of us chose to climb the frozen entrance.

 A view of meltwater icicles high on the west wall of French Canyon.

 A trail bridge view up French Creek.

 On the boardwalk bound for Eagle Cliff. You can see one of Ron's attached microspike boot bands. 

A Lovers Leap view of geese over Starved Rock.

 The upriver end of the Eagle Cliff platform.

 An Eagle Cliff view of geese in the Starved Rock pool. 

 A boardwalk turnout view of the SR Lodge through a white pine window.

 Walkers on the headwall trail around Pontiac Canyon.

 The last Bluff Trail dip before Wildcat Canyon.

 The Wildcat Canyon waterfall is close to forming a complete ice column.

 While sitting in the hotel cafe, I watched this woman slide down the hill out front THREE times with her crutches tucked into the sled. Her daughter carried the sled back up each time. Both were laughing loudly.

If you can end your hike in front of the Dining Room fireplace then you've had a good morning!

Time to end this "snow globe" walk with a hard quote from e. e. Cummings,

“The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches.”