Matthiessen State Park April 14. 2016

What a gorgeous day! Mid 60's to lower 70's and the beautiful sun is out.  We left the Starved Rock Lodge at 9:00a.m. and carpooled to Matthiessen State Park's main area near the replica fort.  To the surprise of no one, there were 43 hikers and 3 dogs.  The trail started out a bit muddy, but the waterfalls, scenery and company were great.  

Every day this week on my way to work in the morning I have seen little blue birds on these bird houses near the back entrance road to the park.  Well today, I was ready; I had my camera turned on and in zoom mode.  I even had my radio turned off and window rolled down for quick photography. NO BIRDS!!! 

We began our hike at the fort area.  We went down the stairs near the fort and went left when we reached the bottom.

This park was originally owned by Frederick Matthiessen and was originally only 176 acres and called Deer Park.  After Frederick Matthiessen's death the land was donated to the state and became a state park in 1943.

Map at Matthiessen Park.  These maps are located at all the major intersections.

 

Yellow Bellwort

Toothwort is everywhere

Strawberry Rock

There is still some Hepatica holding on

Going down into the lower dells area.  
This is where the mud is.

Devil's Paintbox.  I didn't go in here, it was extremely muddy.

Arnie and Linda just admiring the waterfall at Cascade Falls

There is a little cave like area near Cascade Falls

Close up photo of Cascade Falls

Walking out the way we came.  I just love the sun on the sandstone's West wall.

Some False Rue Anemone

View looking south from the lower dells

Going up the concrete steps and over the bridge

This was such a treat.  I have been seeing these leaves for weeks.  Finally a bloom.  There weren't many blooms, but I managed to get an ok photo.  Dog Tooth Violet or Trout Lily (same thing)

There was some follow the leader going on today to get across the stream crossings.  But oh what fun!!

The start of Coral Bells (Heuchera)

One of the man made dams in the dells area.

Still have a few Dutchman's Breeches blooming around the park.

Not really a good photo, but this is the leaves for the Blue Cohash.  In the summer the ends will have little blue balls.

Virginia Bluebells will soon be blooming everywhere.

There are still a few Bloodroots blooming.

A few hikers taking a break by the Giant's Bathtub

We all maneuvered through the roots and rocks

Now this is a family that is really glad to be hiking during Spring Break.  Couldn't of had a better hike!  Waterfall is Lake Falls.

View of Matthiessen Lake

Bridge going over Lake Falls

Prairie Trillium is still not blooming, maybe this weekend.

A little bonus waterfall on the way back to the car.

After hiking some of the Walker's Club members stay a few minutes to visit in our Cafe and have a cold beverages after a vigorous hike.  They really come in for the outstanding coffee and to check the inspirational board (see next photo).

Hillary from our Cafe changes these inspirational sayings once a week.  Way to go Hillary!!

I will leave you with this: "Know that the brightest and sweetest smelling blossoms are not always on the tallest trees.

March 31, 2016 Illinois, Kaskaskia and Ottawa Canyons

The early morning started out with a downpour.  It was quite the shower on my way to work.  I wasn't really looking forward to hiking in the rain today, especially since last week's shower.  I did however remember to bring an extra pair of socks and shoes. The hike always meets in the Lodge's Lobby on Thursdays at 9:00a.m. Today we carpooled to Illinois Canyon's parking lot.  We hiked into Illinois Canyon then some of us took the "Swamp trail" to Ottawa / Kaskaskia Canyon parking lot. Today we also had a reporter from the News Tribune and a photographer with us.  They will be doing a story on hiking that will appear in the local paper sometime in May.

All of us getting ready to hike.  Illinois Canyon Parking lot.

Who is wearing the BEST footwear for the hike today?

Hyacinths.  I really have no idea why these are here.  I always thought these needed to be planted.  ???

Virginia Bluebells will be blooming before you know it.

Patches of Purple Trillium were everywhere.  We did not see any with open flowers, just buds.

Dutchman's Breeches were everywhere

Walking into Illinois Canyon there was lots of "Bonus Waterfalls".

A larger patch of Purple Trillium.  They are going to look spectacular when they bloom

We all help each other getting across the stream

Another "Bonus" waterfall on the way to the Illinois main waterfall

Not there yet, still a "Bonus"

The Illinois Canyon stream.  To get to the end (waterfall)  you have to cross it 3 times.

And finally the all impressive Illinois Canyon Waterfall (much better in person)

Rue Anemone

The stream in Illinois Canyon is really flowing today.

This flower photo is tricky, if your not paying attention it appears to be a Spring Beauty, if you just look at the nearby grass like leaves.  But it is Hepatica.  Check out the fuzzy stems and the bluish color.  And there are more than the 5 petals that are on a Spring Beauty. (Thanks Jared)

Big important discussion going on here.

Mayflowers will be blooming soon, hopefully they will delay long enough to get to May

Huge field of Trout Lillies, (also called Dog Tooth Violets).  They are going to be stunning when blooming.  I have to remember to come back and check it out.  Located in Illinois Canyon

Leaving Illinois Canyon, there is a trail to connect to the parking lot of Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons.  I have always called it the "Swamp" trail.  For good reason today!!

We always like to see who has an imagination here.  Look at the rock face, what do you see?  This young man from Peoria got it right!!  This is our "BOOT" hiking boot that is.

All going up into Council Overhang

Inside Council Overhang looking out.

Lime green was the color of the day.

Wildflowers everywhere, going into Kaskaskia Canyon

White Trillium are also almost ready to bloom.  Maybe by the weekend

Kaskaskia Canyon

All of us enjoying Kaskaskia Canyon

Kaskaskia Canyon is a bit rooty.  One step at a time.

Horsetails, these don't grow in to many places in Starved Rock.  These are at the intersection of Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons

Toothwart

Ottawa Canyon, We were lucky and there were 2 waterfalls.  There is a smaller one on the right of the main one.

What gives???  What ever happened to "Leave No Trace"? "Take only Memories, and Leave only Footprints"? 

Looking out of Ottawa Canyon.  I always did like this view.

Council Overhand #2

Spring Beauties mixed in with the Trout Lilly leaves.

A pair of hubcaps, a large bottle of Southern Comfort and a Canon Camera.  I took the card out of the camera to see if there was some cool photos on it.  There was only 1 photo (from 2008), some guy was taking a selfie. 

 

Recent additions to most of the doors of the Lodge.  We are in the process of putting in new carpeting throughout the Lodge.  Hopefully guests will be courteous and wipe their muddy boots off outside before coming in on the new carpet.

I will leave you with this: "The thirst you feel in your throat and lungs will be gone minutes after the race is over.  The pain in your legs within days, but the glory of your finish will last forever"