Starved Rock II (Photo Heavy)

Awesome pics. I grew up in Rockford. I remember going to Starved Rock on a couple of Boy Scout campouts when I was younger. Must have been about 20 years ago now... geez.
 
The Warrior said:
Thanks brother, appreciated.

Haha, you bastid, that's me. :D I've had grey hair since I was 16. Kind of runs in my family.
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just messin with ya Dubz! ;)

Dude can bench two of me, I'd better watch my snarky mouth!

-Daizee
 
Great pics, Dub. Thanks for sharing.

I'm glad to see the trees turning colors. Had enough of summer this year, ready for the cooler weather.
 
Thanks guys, appreciated. Hiking yesterday makes me want to get out and do it again.
 
A few more photos:

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Nice pics Warrior. You are definitely some motivation for me to get out and see the countryside more.

Thank you Sir.

Now if I could only find someone to camp with...
 
Thanks guys. We're talking about heading to Garden of the Gods in a few weeks, hopefully. If not, probably at least go camping. This is my kind of weather.
 
Wow, how beautiful. Are you a professional photographer ? Lovely pics.

Best
Moin.
 
Another area where I've spent a lot of time:

The Warrior said:
Thanks guys. We're talking about heading to Garden of the Gods in a few weeks, hopefully. If not, probably at least go camping. This is my kind of weather.
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Garden of the Gods is a relatively small park area. Nice place to see the Southern Illinois forest and sandstone bluffs, although it gets a lot of weekend visitors. Aim for a weekday early-morning visit, and I think you'll be delighted.

Burden Falls might be the nicest waterfall in Illinois, and the adjacent Burden Falls Wilderness Area is one of the nicest places to explore in Illinois.

Bell Smith Springs should be on your don't-miss list. Of particular geologic interest is one of only two natural bridges in the entire state (that I know of anyway).

Did you know that Illinois has actual cypress swamps? Don't miss Heron Pond for a short hike to the best-preserved example.

Add to these several other state parks, Forest Service Wilderness Areas, historic sites, a ferry across the Ohio River, State Conservation Areas, lookout towers, and a few random things spotted on topo maps... One could easily spend a month exploring Southern Illinois, and still not see it all.

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Take heed of this warning at the Shawnee National Forest website:
WARNING! Hunting is popular within wilderness areas during designated seasons. Backpacking and horseback riding is not recommended during Illinois Hunting Season.
Check the calendar. As I recall Illinois deer seasons are weekends only, so another excellent reason to visit the forest Mon-Fri.
 
I am familiar with some of the places you mentioned. My son used to live in southern Illinois, and he has mentioned some. I have been to Giant City State Park, it's a pretty area as well. I have been kind of wanting to go to northern Illinois as well, to the Galena area.
 
Bob W is right. I grew up there and lived in the Shawnee until a few years ago. You could easily spend months without seeing all the great spots. The River to River trail crosses through most of these areas and at 145 miles is a great trail to backpack.
 
The Warrior said:
I have been kind of wanting to go to northern Illinois as well, to the Galena area.
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It's a scenic area, with the hills and bluffs overlooking the river. Don't know much about the town itself; I've driven through touring the area but don't recall any specific things to actually do there. There isn't much public land, and the nearby parks are small.

Apple River Canyon State Park is pretty and has some short "nature trail"-type hiking paths. Definitely worth a stop if you're driving by.

I am intrigued by the Mines of Spain State Park across the river in Iowa. Never been there.

The highest point in the state is in the far NW corner of Illinois near Galina. It's private property though and access is restricted to only a few days each year. http://highpointers.org/archives/195

Mississippi Palisades State Park is a bit south of Galina and offers a solid day's worth of hiking trails.

Wish I knew more about the area. :(
 
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