Took a trip to Starved Rock State Park hoping a couple days of rain might have the waterfalls flowing, but a month of dry weather still had them at just a trickle. Several trails are still closed after the major wind storm on August 10. Nearby Mattiessen State Park is still closed. We went first to St. Louis Canyon which has the most reliable flow, but even that was very light.
St. Louis Canyon falls
Chance declared himself king of the Rock.
St. Louis Canyon
Some trees are showing early color, and glowed a bit in the soft light.
St. Louis Canyon maple
Though the Park’s latest posting said Kaskaskia and Ottawa canyons were still closed, we found the lot and trail open. So do you like the trickle at Kaskaskia better in color or black and white?
Kaskaskia falls and ferns
And again the trees were the stars of the hike.
While Chance got back to his roots.
Kaskaskia trail
Finally, we took a walk into Illinois canyon, and found a ghost tree locked in jail.
Ghost