With many of the trails being closed at Starved Rock State Park the Walker's Club schedule has been altered so we can go where the trails are open. We are taking it one week at a time. Today was also our annual picnic / potluck.
We all carpooled to the Ottawa/Kaskaskia/Council Overhang parking lot, right off of route 71, at the east end of the park. We were patiently waiting for a few more hikers. We started with 41 hikers and a dog.
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| 41 hikers and a dog |
We thought we would go up into Council Overhang 1st and then walk into Ottawa Canyon, and then Kaskaskia. We first came to the "Boot". This is a sandstone formation where you need to use your imagination to see the hiking or CCC boot. There is a lot of greenery in this photo. It is seen better in the spring or winter.
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| The Boot (hiking or CCC style) |
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| Going into Council Overhang |
One of our regular walker members (Joe) tells us all about the St. Peter's Sandstone. I always learn something new. Sam Sine and his family did programs here years ago.
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| Council Overhang |
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| Ottawa then Kaskaskia |
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Our first Canyon today was Ottawa. I took a photo of the first waterfall of the day. I was actually surprised that all 3 canyons today had waterfalls.
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| I think this is an American Bellflower |
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| Hydrangea |
This next flower I call a ditch lily. That is where you see them mostly. In the ditches along the roadsides. Also the next photo is of chicory. You can also see those along the roadsides.
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| Orange day lily (ditch lily) |
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| chicory |
On this type of plant in all of the canyons we were in today, these little beads were on some of the leaves. Someone said they were larvae that was on the leaves and the plant has formed a sealant over the egg which formed a bead. Not really sure of this. It sounds good, but I couldn't find anything.
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| Little beads ??? |
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| Kaskaskia Canyon |
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| Coming out of Kaskaskia |
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| Daddy Long Legs Spider |
I love this little knotty tree. We always stop and talk about it when coming out of Ottawa / Kaskaskia Canyons. Today I decided to take a photo.
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| Burly/ Knotty Tree |
There is a little place right off the parking area at Ottawa /Kaskaskia Canyons. Call it what you like.... No name Canyon, the Wedding Cove, etc... It is just a neat place. Easy to get to. Just a few steps from the parking lot. Today we had a nice couple from the Lodge join us for our hike. I took their photo here.
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| A couple that was staying at the Lodge |
Some of us walked directly to Illinois Canyon via the "Swamp Trail" that connects the two parking areas. And some just moved their cars to the next parking lot. I took the "Swamp Trail". It wasn't bad. A little mud but doable.
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| Illinois Canyon |
Once we actually got on the trail going into Illinois Canyon, we did notice a few trees that fell during the storm on June 30th. The park staff had come in earlier and cleared the trails here.
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| Tree down in Illinois Canyon |
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| Part of the group taking a break |
I can't say this is my favorite canyon. But I do like it. It is a little short when you refer to a waterfall, but it sure is picturesque. Don't you think? Today it deserves 2 photos.
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| Illinois Canyon Waterfall |
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| Illinois Canyon Waterfall |
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| Little Green Frog in Illinois Canyon |
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| Shelf Fungus in Illinois Canyon |
Today after our hike we met in Fox Ridge for our Annual picnic/potluck. Everyone brought something. I brought the watermelon. I try to be healthy, then I eat the Chocolate Amaretto Pie made my Dawn and the Killer brownies made by Gene. Good food was had by all. Thank you to all my Walker Friends for making the picnic great!
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| Picnic |
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| Picnic |
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| Chocolate Amaretto Pie |
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.
The chocolate amaretto pie looks seriously good!
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