Garden of the Gods (Photo Heavy)

The Warrior

The Warrior

🇺🇸 INSANE VIKING 🇺🇸
Moderator
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
26,018
This is really a follow up on this thread.

After we camped at Pine Ridge, and hiked the Pounds Hollow, Rim Rock area, we drove a few mile down the road to the Garden of the Gods. This place is nothing short of spectacular. I could have stayed there for days. The photos do no justice to the actual place. Many of the photos have tourists in them, but there were so many people, it was hard not to. Actually, they kind of give scope to to size of the place. Anyways, onto the photos. I'll let them speak for themselves:

1.png


2.png


3.png


4.png


5.png


6.png


7.png


8.png


9.png


10.png


11.png


12.png


13.png


14.png


15.png


16.png


17.png


18.png


19.png


20.png


21.png


22.png


23.png


24.png


25.png


26.png


27.png


28.png


29.png


30.png


31.png


32.png


33.png


34.png


35.png


36.png


The famous "Camel Rock":

37.png


38.png


39.png


continued...
 
Last edited:
The walk back to the truck:

40.png


Looks like the tree is eating the rock:

41.png


42.png


43.png


44.png


45.png


After we left there, we went to Burden Falls, About 19 miles away, which is the highest waterfall in Illinois. Unfortunately, it wasn't running too much, as it's seasonal. We didn't have time to hike to the bottom to get good shots.

There's an smaller upper falls:

46.png


Runs along, or actually, in this case, pooled:

47.png


And over the edge. Even though it wasn't running too much, it was still a nice area:

48.png


49.png


50.png


We left there, heading to Rend Lake, to overnight at the campgrounds there. Came across an unusual sight:

51.png


This deer didn't quite make it over the fence:

52.png


Also saw this. What a beautiful place to shit. :D

53.png


Didn't get too many shots at the campground. We did so much in just a few days, I didn't get a chance to use my blades. Did get a few shots though:

54.png


55.png


56.png


57.png


58.png


My fav:

59.png


All in all, we had an absolute blast. Wish I would have had longer to stay and explore, but, there's always a next time.
 
Last edited:
Wow the world is so beautiful in it's natural state !! Awesome stuff brother !!
Thanks for sharing !!
Jose
 
As I went through my pictures form Garden of the Gods, it was funny to see that we took pictures of many of the same crazy looking rocks!

Hope you don't mind me adding these pictures, just to show it in a different season... I have never been in the fall, so your pics were awesome to see! I think the people on the rocks give it some perspective as to how HUGE the rocks are, but seeing it in person is truly the only way to take it all in!

IMG_0142.jpg

IMG_0134.jpg

IMG_0130.jpg
 
I won't get back down there until after Deer season, but by that time the cold will drive away the crowds. The whole area of the Shawnee is a national treasure and I encourage people to go and see it first hand. It is well worth the time to make the trip. Thanks for posting the pictures, I always seem to be doing things and forgetting that I have a camera with me.
 
It's been a while since i'v been there...Still as amazing as I remember though.
 
Fabulous pics Dubz. Next time you get down there park in the backpacker's parking lot, head east on the River to River trail for a mile or so and you come to "Buzzard's Roost". Fantastic place with great views and some awesome rock formations.
 
Beautiful photos brother, you may have just posted the one set of pics that might entice me back into Illinois again. The area I was in last time I was there was about as flat as flat can get...
 
tradewater said:
Fabulous pics Dubz. Next time you get down there park in the backpacker's parking lot, head east on the River to River trail for a mile or so and you come to "Buzzard's Roost". Fantastic place with great views and some awesome rock formations.
Click to expand...
Thanks, appreciated. We saw, and knew about the place you speak of, but we just didn't have enough time. We're going to go back when we can. There was also Indian Point Trail, Stone Face, Hick's Dome, Jackson Hollow, Bell Smith Springs, and Lusk Creek Canyon we're wanting to check out.

mistwalker said:
Beautiful photos brother, you may have just posted the one set of pics that might entice me back into Illinois again. The area I was in last time I was there was about as flat as flat can get...
Click to expand...
Thanks, appreciated. It's one beautiful area. The last time you were here, must have been in the area I live in, haha. All flat, corn and bean land, woo hoo.
 
The Warrior said:
Thanks, appreciated. We saw, and knew about the place you speak of, but we just didn't have enough time. We're going to go back when we can. There was also Indian Point Trail, Stone Face, Hick's Dome, Jackson Hollow, Bell Smith Springs, and Lusk Creek Canyon we're wanting to check out.
Click to expand...

I have led hikes in all of those areas. Jackson Hollow is a must see. It's fun to rap in and hike out. If you haven't been to Little Grand Canyon, put it on the list too.
 
Great pics. That's one of my favorite places down there. I've always thought that the Pharaoh's Campground right at the entrance to Garden of the Gods would be a great spot for a mid-west gathering.
 
S C B said:
Great pics. That's one of my favorite places down there. I've always thought that the Pharaoh's Campground right at the entrance to Garden of the Gods would be a great spot for a mid-west gathering.
Click to expand...

I would agree 100% with that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top