I & M Canal Path Hike

[JK Knives]

I don`t know if anyone remembers, but last January I started a thread on your outdoor New Year`s resolutions were.I had said that mine was to hike the Illinois & Michigan Canal Path, a section at a time. Well, we finally started on it yesterday by doing a short (3.1 mile) section between Channahon and McKinley Woods, for a total of 6.2 miles. Yeah, I know, kind of a short trip, but we are starting slow untill my wife builds up strength for longer hikes. Here are some photos from the hike, starting at the #6 lock in Channahon.

The old lock keeper`s house.

The old locks.

Every so far you come across these old stone walls. I think they were places to tie up the old barges.

to be continued....

 

[JK Knives]

Some critter pics from along the trail.

Turtle

Snake.

Frog.

Deer.

Ended at McKinley Woods.

The shelter.

Remains of old buildings.

Old survey marker.

Had a great day just getting outdoors!

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great photos John--

Thanks for posting

 

[Mack]

Looks like a fun walk on a beautiful day.
Thanks for sharing. Hmmm, turtle soup, frogs legs and venison huh. Good after walk meal.

 

[j williams]

Great pics John.....Any luck with the Morels around there? Awesome, your getting your goal done.

I see you can bike it too....That would be sweet. 61.5mi....

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/main.htm%5ClTrail

 

[JK Knives]

Great pics John.....Any luck with the Morels around there? Awesome, your getting your goal done.

I see you can bike it too....That would be sweet. 61.5mi....

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/main.htm%5ClTrail

I have not done any "hobie hunting" as my Bohemian grampa called it, since I was a kid. I need to get a book on them so I pick the right ones!

 

[Rockywolf]

Very pretty scenery. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Watchful]

Good buddy of mine took his boy on that same walk last summer.

Said it's the closest thing to time traveling back 150 years you could actually do.

Your pictures prove it.

 

[LMT66]

Great place to walk and thanks for the pictures!
One of these months we will cross paths somewhere on the I&M Trail.

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

I used to bike portions of the I&M canal. I need some work on my bike before I start doing it again.

 

[TheZenful1]

Great place to walk and thanks for the pictures!
One of these months we will cross paths somewhere on the I&M Trail.

At some point, I'm thinking a nice multi-day outing... If we could organize something like that.

Great pics John! I have forgotten all too often how beautiful our area truly is.

 

[Stormstaff]

Great pics John! Thanks for sharing and taking us on the start of your journey!

 

[JK Knives]

One of these months we will cross paths somewhere on the I&M Trail.

We probably will!

 

[A.W.U.K.]

There's something fascinating about old canals

Is this one still used much?

 

[JK Knives]

Just by canoeists.

 

[333rm]

Great pics, and it looks like you had a great time!!!

 

[LMT66]

There's something fascinating about old canals

Is this one still used much?

Here is a very good site to read thru about The I&M Canal.
http://www.canalcor.org/CCA2005/index.html

Originally, small barges were pulled by mules on either side of the canal. Interesting reading and walking along it is a step back in time.

 

[A.W.U.K.]

Here is a very good site to read thru about The I&M Canal.
http://www.canalcor.org/CCA2005/index.html

Originally, small barges were pulled by mules on either side of the canal. Interesting reading and walking along it is a step back in time.

Thanks for the link.
There are thousands of miles of old canal in Britain, a lot from before 1800. The canals are heavily used in the summer by pleasure boats. Before now though I had not come across any reference to similar canals over there. You learn something every day

 

[Watchful]

Before now though I had not come across any reference to similar canals over there. You learn something every day

I've got a mule, and her name is Sal...
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
She's good old worker and a good old gal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

Mules and canals go back even before the Revolution.