January 6, 2015 Aurora Canyon- First BIG Snow

We had some snow last night that blanketed the park.  I needed to go on a trail and be the first one making tracks and check it out.  But where to go????  I decided to check out my FAVORITE Canyon.... Aurora.  I wasn't disappointed, I even took a video. ENJOY!!

On my way to the trail... Photo of the Sunset Shelter

I followed the map

I chose Aurora Canyon.  You have to go down the steps, in the canyon and come back up the steps.  It was worth it!!

Aurora Canyon it is! 

I'm the first one!  In case there was any doubt.

Small ice fall in Aurora Canyon.  Video of Aurora Canyon to follow.

 

 

 

Looking up out of Aurora

I hollowed out this hole, do I know the map well or what?

It was such a nice day, I thought I would go to the top of Aurora also. 

Top of Aurora.  If you look close enough you can see my footprints that I left down there.

More of my footprints... Gotta go back to work.

 I am so glad I took the time to check out the new fallen snow.  I had many things to think about while hiking today.  This was a perfect way to start my day!  

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.

First Hike of the Year (Starved Rock Walker's Club) Jan. 2, 2015

The first hike of the year for the Starved Rock Walker's Club was on Friday Jan. 2.  We normally meet on Thursdays but with New Year's Day falling on Thursday, we changed it to Friday, just for this week. We left the Lodge's Lobby and headed to the top of Starved Rock.  From there we ventured into French Canyon.  On to Lover's Leap, Eagle's Cliff and finishing up with Wildcat Canyon.

18 hiker's today

Going down...... 150 steps

Steps behind the Lodge, by the Back Door Lounge

View from atop Starved Rock, looking East toward Lover's Leap

View of Leopold Island from the top of Starved Rock

That brown spot in the middle of the photo is an Eagle's nest.  Visible from the top of Starved Rock looking North

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center

Flag at the top of Starved Rock (I can never get a good photo) One of these days....

Original Plaque and flag dedication

We were all listening to Joe talk about the American Flag's solar light dedication in Sept. 19, 2014

Looking at the Lodge from the top of Starved Rock

Atop of Starved Rock looking West (picnic area)

New solar panel for the new flag light.

Going into French

Going into French was a little icy.  Probably the last time for me going in until the Spring.

Ice fall in French Canyon

Many elected not to venture into French Canyon

Ice formation on the way out of French Canyon

View of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

View of Leopold Island from Lover's Leap.  See the barge coming up river between Plum and Leopold Islands?

Best view in the park (photo taken from Eagles Cliff looking East)

Wildcat Canyon- almost complete

These steps are tough, they are far from my favorite.

Wildcat Canyon from the top.  Still impressive, and it will only get better.

Where Wildcat begins

And then we return.

One of a pair of chainsaw carved eagles that are on the bridge over Fox Canyon.  Donated by the Family of Jerry Krasinski.

Today was a great hike for the first hike of the year for the Walker's Club.  Everyone is welcome.  We meet every Thursday in the Lodge's Lobby at 9:00a.m. You can pick up a schedule at the Front Desk.  January 8th we will be meeting in the Lodge's Lobby and going to Matthiessen Park.

 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.
 

Last Hike of the year! Starved Rock & French Canyon 12-30-2014

I started this hiking blog in March 2014.  I have had a great time and if I must say so myself, I have taken some pretty good photos.  I also have met some wonderful people.  This is my last post of 2014.  This hike is with a couple from New York that had stayed at the Lodge.  The Lodge has an overnight package where you stay the night and get up the next morning and do a 1 hour hike to the top of Starved Rock and into French Canyon.

Amazing view from the top of Starved Rock looking East to Lover's Leap

Look close there are 2 eagles. 

Flag at the top of Starved Rock

Looking at the Lodge from the top of Starved Rock

Solar Panel for the light atop of Starved Rock for the flag

Going into French

Nice ice fall in French Canyon

Darnell and Brook

It was a little chilly while hiking today, but considering it is December..... We saw 2 eagles and a great ice waterfall.  I was surprised when they told me that we have harsher weather than where they live in New York.

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.