For a wintry day, I was surprised that almost 50 hikers came out to hike. We met in the Lodge's Lobby and walked to St. Louis Canyon via the West Bluff Trail. Saw the top of Aurora, Sac and Kickapoo Canyons on the way out. When we got back some of us dropped down into Aurora Canyon and what a treat!
Feb. 20th, Wednesday is Give Back Night at the Lodge. There will be a buffet in the main dining room whereas part of the proceeds will go toward the Walker's Club. We are looking to add a bench on the Interpretive Trail near the Lodge. The Lodge has been doing this every Wednesday starting in January. Each Wednesday the group represented is different. Please make a reservation by calling 815-220-7386.
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| Favorite photo of the day |
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| 49 hikers came out to check out the park |
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| Trails are icy. If you don't have yak-trax or katoohlas or some other form of additional traction, you really shouldn't be on the trails. |
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| Most of the steps are ice and snow covered |
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| Top of Aurora looking South |
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| Top of Aurora Canyon |
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| Looking back at the group |
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| Top of Sac Canyon |
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| Top of Sac looking South |
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| View from the West Bluff Trail looking toward Utica |
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| Coming down the stairs by the "Orange Rock" |
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| Nice break spot in the Summer, not today! |
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| Small ice formation on the way to St. Louis Canyon |
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| Almost there. It was so nice to see the sun come out! |
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| St. Louis Icefall |
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| Everyone is arriving |
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| Should I try to crawl inside? |
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| I'm pretty sure the spikes on my Katoohlas will be enough traction. |
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| Off course, I was going in. |
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| Looking up to the falling water |
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| I did not come out the other side, I turned around and went out the way I came. |
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| Looking out from behind the icefall. Everyone else loved the icefall just as much as I did. |
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| St. Louis Canyon Icefall |
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| Time to go, we still have to go to Aurora Canyon |
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| Boardwalks on the way back were melting, but still slippery |
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| After everyone walked on this going to the canyon, the smell here was amazing. Love the smell of fresh pine |
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| About 20 people went into Aurora Canyon. These 3 steps are challenging on a good day. |
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| Just the beginning..... |
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| Now this is worth the walk |
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| I went for a closer look |
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| I was checking out behind the icicles |
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| Icicles up close in Aurora Canyon |
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| Terry took this photo of me in Aurora Canyon |
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| Me and my Canyon |
I will leave you with this: All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.
Great photos. I love your photos in Aurora Canyon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I miss this year’s mega hike!!!
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