Garden of the Gods (Photo Heavy)

The Warrior

The Warrior

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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:

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The famous "Camel Rock":

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The walk back to the truck:

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Looks like the tree is eating the rock:

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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:

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

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

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

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

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

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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:

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My fav:

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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.
 
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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!

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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.
 
Thanks guys. It's a beautiful area.
 
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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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I would agree 100% with that.
 
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