I & M Canal Hike - Part 2

JK Knives

Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
28,113
Last week we hiked the I & M Canal Trail from Channahon to McKinley Woods, and back, a 6.2 mile round trip. Yesterday we started at McKinley Woods and hiked to the Dresden Locks and back, a 5.5 mile trip. An interesting sidenote about McKinley Woods is that it was the site of a POW camp during WW2, something I never knew.

Here`s the starting point.

rqw5ea.jpg


A short time later, we saw a small path leading into the woods and followed it, and came across these remains of another old building. These buildings were built in the 1930`s by the CCC.

hu1r8y.jpg


28wgv4i.jpg


outn9d.jpg


Remains of old shelter complete with stone fireplace.

10qwd37.jpg


A look across the river.

51xcld.jpg


to be continued....
 
Last edited:
Another one of the old stone walls by the canal.

s1lrwk.jpg


Snake sunbathing in the canal.

68a8at.jpg


Wildflowers.

s242es.jpg


Another shot of the river.

s153lt.jpg


End of the hike for this week. This barn in Dresden was built in the 1850`s for the mules that pulled the barges on the canal.

i6jtdf.jpg


Gear for the day. Maxpedition pack and my scandi friction folder.

soo489.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nice photos John. I'd like to check that area out when I'm down there.

Jeff
 
I wasn't expecting to see columbines there - I'll have to check to see if they are native there or introduced. That particular color of columbine is common in the Sierras.
 
I wasn't expecting to see columbines there - I'll have to check to see if they are native there or introduced. That particular color of columbine is common in the Sierras.

There are lots of them along the trail.
 
Awesome pics John. I can't wait to head out for some hiking adventures down that way.
 
Back
Top