Dec. 4, 2014 LaSalle, Tonti, Eagles Clif, Lover's Leap

December 4, 2014 the Walker's Club set off to LaSalle Canyon.  We had 28 hikers and 2 dogs.  

28 hikers

Top of Wildcat

Top of Wildcat from the East overlook

New Walker getting a photo op

Cocoa didn't want to have any part in the photo

Sandstone Point

Burl, Friends call him Milton

We came down the bluff staircase and took a right

LaSalle and Tonti Canyon Bridge

On our way into LaSalle Canyon

This area is a little sketchy.

LaSalle Canyon

Underneath the frozen falls in LaSalle Canyon

Icicles in LaSalle Canyon

Bottom ice mound in LaSalle Canyon

Tonti Canyon West ice fall

Another sketchy area.  We were glad there was no ice yet.

On the river trail looking at Eagles Cliff

Going up the stairs by Eagles Cliff (my favorite stairs)

Eagle Cliff platform

View from Eagles Cliff (best view in the park)

View from Eagle Cliff looking north over the Illinois River

See the lone eagle on Leopold island?

With a little zoom, can you see the lone eagle now?

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.

Ottawa, Kaskaskia and Illinois Canyons November 20-2014

Today our Walker's Club had 21 hikers and 1 dog (Cocoa).  It was a little chilly, but no breeze.  About 25 degrees.  I brought out the "musher hat" and of course the flannel lined jeans.  Great day for a hike. 

I don't do well with selfies, but this is my "musher hat". I have 2 of these hats and they are both equally warm.  My kids laugh at me when I wear it, but it is warm. 

Use your imagination.... Can you see the hiking boot?

Going up to Council Overhang

Looking up in Council Overhang

Again, use your imagination.... Can you see the bison?

A little bit of ice fall in Ottawa Canyon

Frozen ice at the bottom of Ottawa Canyon

Looking back coming out of Ottawa Canyon

Jack is contemplating going behind the logs into the cave like area.  (He didn't go, but I did)  See next photo.

I went behind the waterfall area in Kaskaskia Canyon.

Horse tails or snake grass.  They stay green all year.

Found this photographer in Council Overhang on the way back.  Starved Rock Photo Show and Contest will be                  Feb. 22-2015

Honey Locust fruit

Illinois Canyon... Yes there is a waterfall.... next slide will show you the video

What a great group!

On the way out of Illinois Canyon there is this rock formation.  Kind of looks like a toilet, don't you think?

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.

Buffalo Rock State Park 11-13-14

For Walker's Club today we had 18 hikers and 1 dog.  Temperature was about 22 degrees or so and windy.  We met in the Lodge's Lobby and carpooled to Buffalo Rock.  

Buffalo Rock true to its name has 2 Buffalo or Bison (see below)

 Bison (also called buffalo) are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae.

A little bit of history about the Effigy Tumuli.  The Effigy Tumuli, one of the more unique attractions in Illinois, can be found at Buffalo Rock State Park.  This earthen art exhibit recreates sculptured earthen effigies dating back more than 3000 years.  Effigies were created by native peoples as temple platforms or burial mounds.  

A result of a creative coal mining reclamation project on land donated by Ottawa Silica Company, the site contains a 2,070-foot long snake, a 140 foot long frog and a 770 foot long catfish.  Also located along the mile and a half long bluff are a water strider and turtle.  This project was completed in 1985.

Diagram of the Catfish

Being a little chilly outside it calls for some reinforcements- Flannel lined jeans.

Some of our 18 hikers today all bundled up

 

Most of the trail here is prairie like

Most of the trails here are flat.  Some are even handicapped accessible.

Taking a break at one of the viewing points overlooking the Illinois River

Peggy waits for us to get caught up

Joe says "My favorite Illinois slot canyon! The sides don't match so it could be a vertical fault with deformation at the head. The old mine may have diverted storm water through this."  Photo is of Kevin in the background.

At the only viewing deck at the end of the walk we found these 2 pelicans.  We think they are contemplating when to head back south.  If they don't get a move on, we may see them frozen to a rock soon.

A beautiful Oak tree in the picnic area

Today's hike was a little chilly, but if your dressed for the weather it's better than being inside.

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.