May 24, 2014, Ottawa, St. Louis and French Canyon

Today my hike was the Waterfall and Canyon tour.  We had two full trolleys leave at 9:00a.m. and two full trolleys leave at Noon.  I had the larger trolley with 23 on the first tour and 25 on the second.  Each tour was about 3 miles.  The photos are combined from both tours.  VERY BUSY day in the park.  Cars and people everywhere.  Still a great day for a hike.

Coral Root

Single Coral Root

Walking into St. Louis Canyon I finally found the elusive Coral Root.  It is sort of hard to find because it is so small and looks like a glorified stick.  Many or most people walk right by and not even know it is there.  What a treat.  It is in the orchid family.  It grows in a sandy slope area.  At least that is where I always see it.

A little obstacle as we approached the waterfall

Once again we arrived in St. Louis Canyon and was rewarded with a beautiful waterfall.















There was a little guy that was so excited to be in this little cave like area in the canyon.  He was so excited that I took his photo.  Hope he gets a chance to see it.

Alex

Back to the Trolley

Back to the Trolley and onto the next canyon. French Canyon is next.


















Lots of people were at the State Park Visitor Center today.  I gave my group a 10 minutes break to go to use the restroom.  They were to meet me out front, if they weren't there we went into the canyon without them and met them at the trolley for the next canyon.  The first group we left 3 and the second group we left 5.  They all chose to do ice cream instead (I think).

Visitor Center

First bloom on the Flag Iris.  They are blooming all over the park in marshy areas.  This pair was on the way to French Canyon.

Yellow Flag Iris

Going into French Canyon

French Canyon

While in French Canyon, a man on my tour (Gordy) told me about this toad that was nestled into a small hole in the canyon wall.  I took a photo and was helped by another man (James) on my tour to crop it.  Thank you Gordy and James.  The toad was there for the first tour but not the 2nd one.  I hope he made it through the day ok.

Toad in French Canyon

Leaving French

Once we left French Canyon, we boarded the trolley again and headed to Ottawa Canyon.  We also stop at this rock formation. I ask everyone if they have an imagination.  I have them look at the following formation and tell me what they see.  I prod them a little by telling them to remember they are in a hiking park.  Then someone gets it.  It is a HIKING BOOT!  See it?

The boot

 Leaving the boot, and rounding the corner we are on our way to Ottawa  Canyon.  But before we get there, we enjoy the Aha moment of Council Overhang.

Looking up into Council Overhang

In Council Overhang

Ottawa Canyon

 I love this shirt.  It is great to be able to hike as part of my job.  They have these shirts on sale in the Gift Shop at a special $10.  

This place is a HOOT shirt.  Ottawa Canyon

I am always amazed at this wall in Ottawa Canyon. I think it looks like the Canyon wall was carved with a butter knife.

Looking back from Ottawa Canyon

Small burl tree by Council Overhang

We also saw some wildflowers out there today.  Here are a few.

Wild Ginger (the flower is at the base)

Wild Geranium

Jack in the Pulpit

Mouse ear Chickweed

Virginia Waterleaf

Purple Violet

May Apple

Creeping Charlie

I love this license plate.  It belongs to a member of our Walker's Club.

I will leave you with this:  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

May 22, 2014 Starved Rock, French, Pontiac and Wilcat Canyons, Lover's Leap, Eagles Cliff

Today's Walker's Club hike was the traditional hike to Starved Rock, French Canyon, Lover's Leap and Eagles Cliff.  We even managed to make it to Wildcat Canyon.  Wildflowers are dwindling down, but I still managed to find a few. 

Very few wooden sign remain standing in the park

Don't forget that Poison Ivy grows as a vine, shrub and ground cover.  While in the park.  Stay on the trails.  Remember "Leaves of 3 leave them be".

 A rash from poison ivy, is caused by an oil found in these plants called urushiol (you-ROO-shee-all). When this oil touches your skin, it often causes an itchy, blistering rash.

View of Lover's Leap from the top of Starved Rock

 While at the top of Starved Rock, we walked around the top on the boardwalk.  What a view!  A must see!  

Pelicans around Leopold Island

Columbine

 At the top of Starved Rock there is a flagpole with out a flag.  If a flag is going to be up at night, it is proper that it be lit.  Well a few years ago the flag was taken down because it didn't have a light on it at night.  It has only been raised for special occasions lately.  There has been much talk in the news and otherwise about this flagpole.  Who is going to do the work?  Who is going to raise the flag?  And where is the money coming from?  When will it be done?  Will it be a solar powered light?  Well coming around the corner and seeing this was a good sign that the flag will be flying again soon.

New construction project?????

View of Starved Rock Lodge from the top of Starved Rock

 We came down from the top of Starved Rock and we are now on our way to French Canyon.












 Now for a few wildflowers:

Virginia Waterleaf

Wild Ginger

Going into French

 French is always great for a photo or two.  Hope Jan got a great photo.

French Canyon

Coming out of French

It is always a little tricky to come out of French.  But Gary and Peggy look like professional hikers!







Out of French Canyon and onto Lover's Leap we saw many more wildflowers.  Some I knew and some I didn't. 

Some kind of Sedum (I think)

False Solomon's Seal

Wild Geraniums

It looks to be in the Lily of the Valley family????

Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

More Pelicans by the Dam

Greetings from the Walker's Club, atop of Eagle's Cliff

Eagle's Clif looking to the Northwest

On our way to Wildcat Canyon.  We are going on a fairly muddy trail over Pontiac Canyon.

Pontiac Canyon

After admiring Pontiac Canyon's twists and turns we arrived at Wildcat Canyon.  I took the following photo from the west overlook at Wildcat Canyon.  You can also go to the Overlook on the other side of the canyon for a better view of the waterfall there.

Wildcat Canyon

Upper Wildcat Canyon

Back to the Lodge we go.  What a great day for a hike.  The green foliage is really leafing out.  Wildflowers, Waterfalls, Green leaves, Great weather.

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.