Buffalo Rock State Park March 07-2019

Going up the back of the Catfish

We met in the Lobby of the Starved Rock Lodge and some of us carpooled to Buffalo Rock State Park.  We had no precipitation, but it was chilly.  No wind.  It was a great hike with about 47 people.

I never noticed before that the horns are not the same on both sides.  Interesting.

Taking another look.

Sign on the "buffalo" pen.

Someone does feed them, just not us. 

And off we go..... 

We were pleasantly surprised to see that we did not need our yak-trax at today at Buffalo Rock. 

At Buffalo Rock there are mounds similar to Indian Burial Mounds.  They are in shapes of water creatures, Water Strider, Frog, Catfish, Turtle and Snake.  All of the signs telling about them are now gone. (now there is a plain brown post).  I think this one is the Water Strider. The best way to see these are from the air. A good imagination is a must.!

We were bundled up and ready to for the weather.  

We were going up the back of the "Catfish" and coming down the front of the fish. 

Going down. Illinois River in the distance.

View looking West at the West end of the park, by the "Snake"

Phragmites

The non-native Phragmites is a perennial grass that can reach over 15 feet in height. It is often found in dense clonal stands made up of living stems and standing dead stems. ... Phragmites forms a ticket of roots and rhizomes that can spread 10 or more feet and several feet deep in one growing season.

Sign at the Look out point on the trail

View of the Illinois River from the look out point

This section opened a few months ago after being closed for almost 2 years.  There was a tornado that came through here and did quite a bit of damage to the trees and overlook areas. This is the first time I have been here since it opened. 

This overlook is still closed.  You can see the damage to the fencing.
We didn't go past the Do Not Enter sign. 

The second overlook is open.  Very nice viewing deck of the Illinois River.

River is still frozen

We saw lots of eagles on the way going to and coming from Buffalo Rock.  This eagle was on a tree near the Starved Rock Marina. 

I will leave you with this: Never let success go to your head and never let failure go to your heart.

Aurora, Sac, Kickapoo and St. Louis Canyons, Feb. 14, 2019

For a wintry day, I was surprised that almost 50 hikers came out to hike.  We met in the Lodge's Lobby and walked to St. Louis Canyon via the West Bluff Trail.  Saw the top of Aurora, Sac and Kickapoo Canyons on the way out. When we got back some of us dropped down into Aurora Canyon and what a treat!

Feb. 20th, Wednesday is Give Back Night at the Lodge.  There will be a buffet in the main dining room whereas part of the proceeds will go toward the Walker's Club.  We are looking to add a bench on the Interpretive Trail near the Lodge.  The Lodge has been doing this every Wednesday starting in January.  Each Wednesday the group represented is different. Please make a reservation by calling 815-220-7386.

Favorite photo of the day

49 hikers came out to check out the park

Trails are icy.  If you don't have yak-trax or katoohlas or some other form of additional traction, you really shouldn't be on the trails. 

Most of the steps are ice and snow covered

Top of Aurora looking South

Top of Aurora Canyon

Looking back at the group

Top of Sac Canyon

Top of Sac looking South

View from the West Bluff Trail looking toward Utica

Coming down the stairs by the "Orange Rock"

Nice break spot in the Summer, not today!

Small ice formation on the way to St. Louis Canyon

Almost there.  It was so nice to see the sun come out!

St. Louis Icefall

Everyone is arriving

Should I try to crawl inside?

I'm pretty sure the spikes on my Katoohlas will be enough traction.

Off course, I was going in.

Looking up to the falling water

I did not come out the other side, I turned around and went out the way I came.

Looking out from behind the icefall.  Everyone else loved the icefall just as much as I did. 

St. Louis Canyon Icefall

Time to go, we still have to go to Aurora Canyon

Boardwalks on the way back were melting, but still slippery

After everyone walked on this going to the canyon, the smell here was amazing.  Love the smell of fresh pine

About 20 people went into Aurora Canyon.  These 3 steps are challenging on a good day.  

Just the beginning.....

Now this is worth the walk

I went for a closer look

I was checking out behind the icicles

Icicles up close in Aurora Canyon

Terry took this photo of me in Aurora Canyon

Me and my Canyon

I will leave you with this: All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.