On September 4th the Walker's Club and I hiked in the rain to Wildcat Canyon, Eagles Cliff and Lover's Leap. On Sat. Sept. 6th I led the Take a Hike and Lunch on a beautiful afternoon to Wildcat Canyon, LaSalle Canyon, Eagles Cliff and Lover's Leap.
HIKE #1 Thursday September 4th
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| It was raining when we left, and continued raining throughout the hike. 13 hardy hikers in all. We even had 2 guests from the Lodge join us. Some carried umbrellas and some just wore their rain gear. |
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| Much of the trails were mud with puddles |
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| In addition to the umbrella I carried I also wore my rubber boots. |
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| And we're off |
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| We had a bad wind storm on June 30th. Many downed trees now make great resting places |
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| Top of Wildcat Canyon |
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| Top of Wildcat Canyon |
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| The overlook on the East side of Wildcat Canyon |
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| View of Wildcat Canyon from the East Overlook |
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| Going down 150 to connect with the River Trail |
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| Wildcat Canyon from inside |
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| Lots of trash in Wildcat Canyon, I forgot my trash bag today. |
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| The water coming out of Wildcat |
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| Blow down by Beehive Overlook |
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| On the way to Eagles Cliff along the river trail |
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| Going up to Eagle Cliff |
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| Structure at the top of Eagles Cliff |
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| Best view in the park (My opinion) View from Eagles Cliff looking East |
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| Lock and Dam from Eagles Cliff |
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| Pelicans at the Dam |
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| Flags at the top of Starved Rock |
HIKE #2 Saturday September 6th
This Guided hike (Take a Hike) had 8 guests and a friend of mine Terry Warren was at the Lodge and I asked him if he would like to join us.
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| Boardwalk on the way to Wildcat Canyon |
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| Top of Wildcat Canyon |
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| My group |
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| Downed tree next to the trail |
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| The birthday guy in the photo tree |
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| Coming down a tricky part of the trail |
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| Pelican still on the Illinois River. View from Sandstone point |
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| Fairly new steps at Sandstone Point |
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| Lone tree Canyon on the way to LaSalle Canyon |
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| Burl, we call him Mr. Ives Burl Ives- get it? |
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| Dolls eyes / White Baneberry |
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| Turtle on the log - look left |
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| Trail and bridge still closed to Tonti Canyon |
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| Trail going into LaSalle Canyon |
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| Cute little caterpillar on Jewel Weed or Touch me Nots |
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| LaSalle Canyon |
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| View from where the waterfall usually comes down in LaSalle Canyon |
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| Seed pod on the Jewel Weed. Slightly squeeze them and it will explode and the seeds will be spread |
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| Seeds from a Jack in the Pulpit |
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Bridge on the way to LaSalle Canyon
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Terry taking a break
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These lovelies I found in Wildcat Canyon
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Poison Ivy is still around especially peeking out of the stairways
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Going up to Eagles Cliff
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Illinois Waterway Visitor Center / Lock and Dam - Off to the left you can see Leopold Island
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View of the Top of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap
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| Dam and Hydro- electric power plant. Still plenty of Pelicans |
What a great couple of days to be hiking. Rain wasn't so bad if your dressed for the weather. When hiking with friends its always a great day to be outside. On Saturday I hiked with a great group of people. I ordinarily wouldn't be hiking on a Saturday, but the two hiking guides each had prior commitments, so that left me on the trails. When I first got the weather report I was hoping it would hold. That morning when I saw on the weather channel that it was going to be a high of 71, I knew it was going to be a great day. I was totally blessed to be out on in nature with great weather and a great group of people.
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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