Certainly one of my bucket record objects has all the time been seeing a frozen waterfall. Properly, this yr I made a decision to go for it! The Lady Camper group was having an annual brunch and hike at Starved Rock State Park close to Utica, Illinois, so I made a decision to take a drive up for the weekend. Since this journey was type of a spur of the second, there weren’t any rooms left on the lodge, so I opted for a lodge in a close-by city.
Understanding that it was additionally Eagle Watching Weekend on the park, I wakened early and headed to decrease canyons alongside Route 71. I had the path to myself, so I took a while to discover. I first arrange my tripod and snapped a few footage inside Council Overhang. It’s simply so huge!
Subsequent, I went to Ottawa Canyon. That is most likely one among my favorites. I really like the wall of the canyon and the way the ice had began to kind on the prime.
Then I continued on to Kaskaskia Canyon. I feel in my final put up I stated this canyon is moody, and I nonetheless suppose it’s! Ha!
I made a decision to go away the decrease canyons and head to the car parking zone for St. Louis Canyon off of Route 178. That is by far some of the standard hikes, and it was beginning to get busy. This was my first full ice fall! Prime to backside, it was frozen! You would even peek across the again!
Hoping to dodge a few of the crows, I headed to Matthiessen State Park, which is just a few minutes from Starved Rock. I first hiked the higher dells, and there have been just a few precarious spots alongside the path!
The creek was much less frozen than at Starved Rock, so that you needed to discover the precise path. Whereas climbing on the snow and ice, I extremely advocate getting some YakTrax. They safe to the underside of your sneakers and supply extra grip.
I met a very nice woman whereas climbing right here and he or she confirmed me a hidden space that I had by no means been to earlier than. (On the off likelihood that you simply see this put up, THANK YOU!) There have been two frozen waterfalls!
I continued on to the tip of the path to see the large falls!
From right here I made a decision to hike the decrease dells as effectively. This waterfall was additionally frozen!
After Matthiessen, I headed into Utica and had lunch at Bruce & Ollie’s, which I extremely advocate, after which stopped by the Guests Heart to take a look at all of the neat souvenirs.
I then went again to the lodge and frolicked for a bit and simply relaxed. It’s such a fairly lodge and was constructed by the CCC.
After my quick break, I headed down the steps behind the lodge and as much as the highest of Starved Rock. I cherished seeing the icy waters of the Illinois River.
From right here, I made a decision to make a big loop beginning with French Canyon. This canyon was very icy and a bit precarious to get into, however it’s one among my favorites. I really noticed somebody fall popping out of it, so that’s the place my YakTrax on my sneakers got here in actually helpful. I did sit on my butt and slide down the ice on my means out!
I completed my day by stopping at Wildcat Canyon. The steps to resolve this canyon are A LOT however completely value it. This was by far the busiest canyon, however I used to be capable of snap just a few footage and head again.
The following day, I met up with the Lady Camper group for a scrumptious brunch on the lodge after which headed residence.
All in all, this was such a tremendous journey. Whereas it was chilly, it was so value bundling up and hitting the paths. The wonder was completely different however completely breathtaking. I actually loved winter climbing and hope to do extra subsequent yr!
