Matthiessen State Park Jan. 8-2015

Very Chilly today.  My car temperature was at -2 and when I went through Oglesby it was -7.  I feel that once it dips below 0 it is all the same.  Just plain COLD!!!  There wasn't a breeze so that was a plus.  Today we had 11 HARDY hikers, myself included.  We haven't been to Matthiessen Park for quite some time.  It was a treat.

Of the 11 hikers, there was only 1 hiker that did not have them for her feet.

All of us with one type or another of grippers for our feet.  Except for one.

Replicate fort at the beginning of our hike.

We are all bundled up, for good reason!

Cross Country Skiing is available at Matthiessen Park.  Ski rental available on the weekends, when we have snow.

Cross Country Ski markers are all blue

This is Strawberry Rock.  Today it looks like a white chocolate covered strawberry

We started to go down the steps to the lower dells, and we were the FIRST ones since the snow on Monday.

This track wasn't from us.  A deer maybe.

The Cement stairway.  Joe was making it snow.

We headed into the Devil's Paintbox.  Not much paint in the box but the ice waterfall was nice.

Devil's Paintbox frozen waterfall

Cement bridge on the other side of the dells.

I was shocked to see Don in the middle of the frozen pool by Cascade Falls

Selfie with the Cascade Falls in the background

Cascade Falls

One of the little cave like areas by Cascade Falls (Yes, I was on the frozen pool)

Cool Ice formations

Glenn checking out some of the ice coming from the Sandstone

Ice formations

Icicles in the Lower Dells

On the Concrete bridge looking South towards the Vermillion River

On the Concrete Bridge looking North towards the falls area

Jan traversing the one of many concrete stepping stones.

Still the first ones here.

You could still hear water running beneath

Thin layer of water over the ice here

Still have to be careful for the rocks and roots on the path

Love this tree

Giants Bathtub

Lake Falls frozen fall.  Notice Joe on the bridge

Close up of Lake Falls

Matthiessen Lake

Lake Falls, looking down from the bridge

Nobody needed a rest break.  Well I really think, they all wanted to get back to get warmed up.

Ski rental cabin

I would like to say this is my snow angel.  But I found it near the parking lot at Matthiessen Park

This was definitely a hike for extreme outdoor traction!

Even though it was extremely cold, I am glad I got out and did the hike. I have been hiking in all weather and I gotta say, that the deep cold is not my favorite.  It ranks right in front of hiking in the cold rain.  Some people wouldn't even think of hiking unless the temperature is the same as their age, and they are 50+.

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.