Starved Rock Nature Preserve 02-07-2019

22 Hikers started out in the Starved Rock Lodge's Lobby. It was on the schedule to do a nature preserve.  We chose the area across from St. Louis Canyon parking lot on Rt. 178.  Going to a Nature Preserve has some caveats.  There are no trails! No dogs allowed. Enter at your own risk. We didn't know if the streams would be frozen or not. I do not ever recommend hiking here unless you go with someone else, especially if they know the terrain. 

22  hikers braved the blustery day.  Started out a little windy, foggy and misty.  Turned to sprinkles at the end of the hike. 

Crossing Rt. 178 for starters then we went through a field.  Watch out for hidden puddles. 

Once we arrived at the bottom of the hill, we arrived at the Twin Falls area.  This photo is off the falls to the West. (bottom of Jolliet Canyon, formerly Hitt Canyon) Information taken from an old guide book dated 1974 by Phillip Vierling.

This photo is the other half of the Twin Falls area.  The East side, (bottom of Marquette Canyon, formerly Curtis Canyon) 

We still had some snow but all the ice on the creeks were thawed and swollen. It was hard getting across.  Some turned around and checked out another area.  I crossed with a group of 13 and went on to the next canyon.

Guess who was just here? check out the wood chips and the holes on the top of the tree.  We didn't see the woodpecker but the holes and the woodchips were exciting. 

This was the crossing we chose.  Feet on one log and hands on the other.  One at a time.  If you fell, it would be in about 6 inches of cold water.  No one fell.

We walked with the bluff to the South and turned into Potawatomie Canyon

Stream in Potawatomie Canyon

Another feature of Potawatomie Canyon

Potawatomie Canyon

On our way back to the car we saw this burl.

Going down the ravine wasn't nearly as strenuous as going up.

Old sign left over from the White Oak Campground days.  It still stands: Please Do Not Litter in the Area.  No cans but please take it with you!  Very little trash is found in the Nature Preserve. One of the things I like about going here. 

I will leave you with this: Take care of your thoughts when you are by alone, and take care of your words when you are with people.