Thursday, May 15, 2014

May 14, 2014 Wildcat & LaSalle Canyons, Lover's Leap, Eagles Clif

Today the hike was a group of students from Frankfort Germany.  They were visiting a high school in Portage Indiana and were on a field trip.  25 students, 2 chaperones and 1 bus driver.  We departed for the 4 1/2 mile hike from the Lodge about 11:00a.m. with lunches.  


Group photo
Joe was explaining about how the canyons were formed.
Listening to Geology Joe
Wildflowers are still looking great!
Wild Geranium


Wild Phlox


Jack in the Pulpit


Prairie Trillium
Our first stop was at Wildcat Canyon on the bluff trail.  We looked down into the canyon and continued on.  On the way back we went into Wildcat Canyon
Upper Falls at Wildcat Canyon
Joe telling about the ice climbers that were enjoying the ice falls this past winter.
Wildcat Overlook


Wildcat Waterfall from the overlook
Pussy toes

The following photo is of the Real Solomon's Seal.  You can tell by the little flowers hanging down the center.
Real Solomon's Seal


Wild Columbine


Nodding White Trillium


Mouse ears  / Chickweed
Just before we got to the turn to LaSalle Canyon, we came to the closed trail sign to Tonti Canyon.  You can still get to Tonti, but you have to go around back through LaSalle Canyon.
Closed trail to Tonti
Lunch time at LaSalle Canyon.  What a great waterfall. 
LaSalle Canyon



View of Eagles Cliff from the river trail


Beaver damage


Wildcat Canyon


Tough crossing in Wildcat Canyon
Once we left Wildcat Canyon we went on to the top of Eagle's Cliff and then onto Lover's Leap
View from Eagle's Cliff


Clearing out the dam


Joe telling the Legend of Starved Rock and Lover's Leap on Lover's Leap


Leopold Island


Pelicans around Leopold Island


Starved Rock from Lover's Leap
Shooting Stars have about a week left. 
Shooting Stars


Wood Betony


Wood Betony just started blooming.





















We were back to the Lodge on time by 2:30p.m. Everyone had a great time.  It was a little chilly but we didn't get any rain.

I will leave you with this, Wherever you may hike or walk, just put one foot in front of the other.  It's all about the experience not the destination.

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