French & Wildcat Canyons 05-01-2017

Today I went out to scope out the trails for a hike that is scheduled for tomorrow.  I left the Lodge and went into French Canyon.  Leaving French Canyon I came out and went up towards the bluff trail and across the top of Pontiac Canyon.  I followed the trail to Wildcat Canyon taking photos from both overlooks.  I then went down the stairs into Wildcat Canyon and then back up, and back to the Lodge.

Wildcat at its finest

Top of French Canyon

Going into French Canyon

French Canyon, all the way inside the canyon

About 3-4 feet more of water and the bridge leading to the bluff trail will be under water

Wild Geranium

Jack in the Pulpit

May apple

Tree down on the trail by Pontiac Canyon

Pontiac Canyon

Columbine

Wood Betony

Prairie Trillium

Bonus waterfall in Wildcat Canyon, photo was taken from the West Overlook

Top of Wildcat Canyon

The main waterfall in Wildcat Canyon

Both waterfalls in Wildcat Canyon

Coming back to the Lodge, this tree has fallen close to the stairway.

Close up of a Mayapple

My favorite wildflower (at least today it is)  The Shooting Star

I will leave you with this: Life is like making tea! Boil your ego, evaporate your worries, dilute your sorrows, filter your mistakes & get taste of happiness....Have a great day!

Wildcat & French Canyons, Starved Rock and Beehive Overlooks

Today's hike was a little dreary.  The sun tried to come out, but for the most part it was overcast.  Still a great day for a hike. Waterfalls are great.

A bouquet of Spring Beauties.  If the sun was out the flowers would be open

Joe is usually the photographer.  Here he stopped to pose next to upper French canyon waterfall.

More of the Upper French

Early May apples peaking through

Upper Wildcat Canyon

Wildcat Canyon waterfall from the East Overlook

Looking down from the East Overlook towards the Illinois River

Can you see the 2 waterfalls in Wildcat Canyon?

Everyone enjoying the waterfalls in Wildcat Canyon

Dutchman's Breeches among some Bloodroot (Bloodroot is the wildflower whereas the leaf is wrapped around the stem of the single flower.) This flower is short lived.  Will only last 2-3 days if not windy.

View from the Beehive Overlook

Some ferns along the sandstone on the River trail.

View of Eagle's Cliff from the River Trail

More Mayapples starting to peak out.  These are the wildflowers that will grow about knee high and look like umbrellas.  Underneath will be a white daisy like flower.

View of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam from Eagle's Cliff

My favorite view in the park. Looking East from Eagle's Clif

Platform at Eagles Cliff

Blue Jay atop a tree by Lover's Leap

Top of Starved Rock from Lover's Leap

Water coming out of French Canyon on its way to the Illinois River

One of two new signs near French Canyon

2nd new sign near French Canyon

Newly placed sign along side the trail.  On the right side of the sign you can see that the park staff put some work into placing this sign so that it would not be easily removed.  Some people go to great lengths to pull these signs out. 

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

Sign at the base of the flagpole at the top of Starved Rock

View of the Lodge from the top of Starved Rock

View of the lower parking lot and Illinois River looking West from the top of Starved Rock

Solar panel that helps keep a light on the flag atop Starved  Rock

Signs indicating Poison Ivy

Dutchman's Breeches

I didn't go all the way into French Canyon, but some of the Walker's Club did.

Some of the hiker's coming out of French Canyon.  Video of French Canyon below

Still a little bit of mud coming out of French

Dutchman's Breeches were everywhere

I will leave you with this: Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.  A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.  It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.