Trolley to Ottawa/Kaskaskia and walk back- Wildcat 03-10-2016

Today's hike is a Walker's Club favorite.  We met in the Lodge's Lobby and boarded 2 trolleys to Ottawa /Kaskaskia Canyon parking lot.  We then walked back to the Lodge from there.  Saw lots of MUD.  And I mean MUD!  It was BOOT SUCKING MUD!!!  Nobody lost any shoes or boots, but it came close a few times.  The muddiest of the trails were on the bluff.  The one canyon we went into was Wildcat Canyon.  We were rewarded with a nice waterfall. Saw a few signs of spring wildflowers.

The "Boot"

Stairway on the other side of Rt. 71

At this point, most of the group was behind me.

View from Hennepin Canyon Overlook, looking West

Our friend Roy (center)(the First Walker's Club member) came back for a visit.

Dan lost this glove on Feb. 21st while leading the Mega Hike.  I found it today on the trail and returned it to him. It needs a little washing, but other than that it is in good shape.  Dan is happy to have it back.

Trails are muddy

Top of Hennepin Canyon on the South side of the bridge

Hennepin Canyon looking Northish

If you look closely you can see the beginnings of a Spring Beauty

Shhhh don't tell anyone, this is Hidden Canyon

Lots of MUD!!!

Coming down the trail.  Top of Owl Canyon

Fairly new bridge on the River Trail

Bridge near LaSalle / Tonti Canyons

Bluff Trail stairs.  We stayed on the River Trail

Along the River Trail

Lots of ferns on the River Trail.

There was a lot of trash in this area, I already had filled my bag, I will have to go back another day.

A plastic Snow Goose

None of us decided to take a break today.

Wildcat Canyon was surprisingly not very muddy to get into.  Very pleasant

Wildcat Canyon - Nice waterfall

Bottom of Wildcat Canyon

Notice the red trail markers?  There are 3 of them in the photo.  They are placed there to let the hikers know that it is not a trail.

Top of French Canyon

Top of French Canyon.  Almost back at the Lodge

Once we got back to the Lodge, I noticed a flock of pelicans overhead.

The temperature was very pleasant.  We had no sun today.  Spring is on the way.

I will leave you with this: Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

03-03-2016 Matthiessen State Park, upper dells and around the lake

 Today we had 26 hikers and two dogs.  We met in the Lodge's Lobby and carpooled to Matthiessen State Park.  There are three entrances to the park and we started where the replica fort is.  Our trek today began at the fort, we went down a major flight of steps and took a right almost at the bottom.  We took the upper trail to the Matthiessen Lake Bridge.  Once we arrived here, we crossed the bridge and took the trail near the lake and followed it around.  Upon arriving back at the bridge we went down the stairs to the lower trail back to the bridge and back up the stairs. Hike today took 2 hours.  It was nice to be the first ones on the trail after a snowfall.

Fresh fallen snow early on.  Nobody was ready for a break.

Replica Fort at Matthiessen State Park

Good thing we know the way.

Snow covered trails

First ones on the snow.  That is the best!

This was probably the last day for cross country skiing

Near Cedar Point area from the upper trail

Concrete walkway leading to the bridge over Lake Falls

Bridge over Lake Falls

Looking over the bridge onto the waterfall at the Lake

Matthiessen Lake, looking North

The boat house at Matthiessen State Park

Back on the North side of the Lake are some old vehicles

Let's just go the 2 miles..... more.

Did anyone lose a shoe?

Locust Tree, Vicious looking!!!

Trudging through the snow

I knew there would be a creek somewhere along the trail.

We have Cross County Skiing and Horseback Riding Trails

There were about 4-5 trees down on the trail around the lake.  They will get these cleared up before summer arrives.

Another look at the boat house from across the lake

Lake Falls from the lower trail

I hope he's not contemplating which way to go????

Giant's Bathtub

Some of the sandstone formations on the trail

Snow covered boulder field. 

This was a little tricky.  With the slanted pilons and the snow.....  Nobody fell, we are professionals.

What a great day!!!  One of my favorite times to hike is just after a snowfall.  Those that missed today's hike, missed a good one.  


I will leave you with this: Eventually all the pieces fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason.