Lasalle Canyon - Starved Rock State Park
photo by Ted Nelson
Starved Rock State Park has an amazing geographic landscape replete with 18 canyons. In winter and in early spring these canyons awe the visitor with varying ice formations and waterfalls depending on the temperature.
The water that flows over the lip of the canyon alternates between frozen ice masses that have amazing textures and waterfalls when the ice is melting. The canyons are currently in an in between mode as there are ice formations and melting water that creates waterfalls, so the visitor now has the best of both worlds.
The park is located 105 miles from downtown Chicago. Take I-55 toward St. Louis and then exit west on I-80. Take exit number 81 off of I-80 and head south 3 miles on State Route 178. Cross the Illinois River and immediately turn left into the park. Park in the Visitor’s Center parking lot and start the hike on the trails behind the Visitor’s Center.
The Chicago adventure traveler is lucky to have this location so close because this time of year can be tough for the outdoorsmen. With the snow gone there is no skiing available in Illinois. It is still too cold to canoe and fish as it is no fun being on the open water when it is 40 degrees and raining. Backpacking in the woods can be a messy affair with trails mired in mud from the melting snow and rain.
The beautiful canyon ice flows, icicles, and waterfalls offer a perfect activity for this time of year. Combine this with the possibility of seeing bald eagles on the Illinois River from the many scenic overlooks and this gives the park even more of an allure. The park even has a hotline that updates the condition of the canyons and the number of bald eagles in the area. Give them a ring at 815-667-4726.
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Frozen ice flow over Wildcat Canyon
photo by Ted Nelson
Wear good hiking boots and use caution in the canyons as the trails are quite slick and dangerous. Also, do not walk under the icicles unless looking up. Recently, more than one has crashed down to the ground from nearly one hundred feet.
Despite the ugly weather conditions, Starved Rock State Park offers unparalleled beauty in the Midwest with many canyons full of icicles and waterfalls in the late winter and spring.
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Comments
The combination-juxtaposition of waterfalls and icicle formations sounds great. Just the thing to get you through the transition weather.
Winter LOOKS wonderful; it just doesn't FEEL wonderful to me.
Seriously, Ted, your slideshow of the waterfalls and icicles was absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a frozen waterfall.
Great photos. The one with the tiny people really puts the scope of the falls in perspective!
Spectacular scenery; stunning photography. Makes me wanna bundle up and trudge off into the forest.
Starved Rock is a terrific place to hike and snap photos.
Pretty awesome slide show. I never realized Starved Rock could be so beautiful in the winter.
Frozen waterfalls are always so fascinating. Lovely photos.
GREAT photo of the frozen waterfall. I'd love to visit some day
Your love of the outdoors really comes through in your articles and pics. Thanks for sharing!
It is so picturesque there!
starved rock - wonder how the name came to be. on long island we have a lot of indian names for towns and parks.
That really is a winter wonderland, and I think your photography skills improve with each slideshow.
Great entry, Ted...and superb photos as support!
Cheers..
Looks AWESOME!
hard to believe this is Illinois! great reporting.
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