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I went hiking at Starved Rock State Park this morning. I hiked from the
lodge to Council Overhang and back (10 miles round trip). It was cold
(30 degrees with 20mph winds) but I had a good time. It was a great
way to start the new year. I wonder how many people were nursing hangovers
this morning ... I'd rather be hiking!
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Starved Rock as seen from the lodge.
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Lovers Leap as seen from Starved Rock. Dam on Illinois River.
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Plum Island (?) as seen from Starved Rock.
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Abandoned houseboat on Plum Island as seen from Starved Rock.
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Need some help...what is it? I think it is chokecherry.
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An extensive boardwalk network throughout the park is really
a necessity to protect both the environment and the tourists.
Hiking on wet oak leaves on sandstone is a disaster waiting
to happen!
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Starved Rock as seen from Lovers Leap.
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Dam on Illinois River as seen from Lovers Leap.
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Illinois River as seen from Eagle Cliff.
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Eagle Cliff as seen from the riverside trail.
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You can't tell it from this photo, but this is usually
a waterfall, about thirty feet high. All waterfalls throughout
the park were dry.
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This is a great time of year to hike this park. Many of the rock
formations are hidden in the summer by the dense vegetation.
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Frozen stream below dry waterfall.
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This pine tree will eventually break off a huge chunk of the cliff!
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Council Overhang. This is huge!
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Beautiful yellow hues on the ceiling of Council Overhang.
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I ate lunch at Council Overhang.
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Heating an MRE over my Trangia alcohol stove.
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More of the vertical landscape. Near Council Overhang.
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Another dry waterfall. Near Council Overhang.
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Mountain climbing, Illinois style.
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Back at the parking lot after 10 miles...eagles carved into tree.
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Raccoons carved into tree.
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Copyright © 2003 by Bill Qualls.
Last updated January 2, 2003.
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