This was my first venture to Starved Rock State Park during a winter season.  I had been holding off going until there had been a significant snowfall.  Over the past several years, there has not been a significant snowfall and any accumulation quickly melted.  The last major accumulation of snow was in February 2014.  I had contemplated trekking out to photograph a snowscape then, but never quite mustered myself enough to venture out.  However, with growing determination in the interim, I waited; then, when the almanac predicted a decent snowfall this season, I gathered my old ski clothes, prepared my photo gear and planned.

 

I recently ordered a new F-Stop Loka UL rucksack with a large ICU, so this outing would be a perfect opportunity to test the rucksack.  I can say that it worked phenomenally and was a far cry better than dealing with achy shoulders and neck which I regularly sustained from my single strap shoulder bag.

 

Due to the frigid temperatures, I didn’t plan on leaving until after the sun was above the horizon.  It was late morning by the time I arrived.  After stopping by Visitor Centre, I hiked up Starved Rock itself.  The local temperature reading was -15℃ (5℉), but the windchill atop Starved Rock made the temperature feel more like -25℃ (-13℉).  I walked around the rock outcrop and the set about to photograph some scenic views.  After almost an hour, I then ventured to the park Lodge where I walked around the lodge and cabins taking photographs of various scenic views.

 

I had considered going to the nearby canyons, but wanted to explore those that were a bit more off the beaten path, so I went to a small parking lot just off Route 71 near Owl Canyon.  From the parking lot, there are approximately 37 stairs to reach the Bluff Trail and then an additional 142 stairs to get down to the Riverwalk Trail.  One thought I had, especially considering the cold temperatures, where ever I chose to go, I had to get back and that meant climbing all those stairs.  I explored and photographed scenes at both Owl Canyon and Hidden Canyon, and from the Riverwalk Trail I took the opportunity to photograph some panoramic views of Hidden Canyon and the frozen Illinois River.

 

It was just after 15:00 when the sun was beginning to set behind the Owl Canyon and the temperature was noticeably dropping.  With just over an hour till sunset, which was at 16:30 and when the State Parks close, I headed over to Matthiessen State Park.  While I wasn’t planning on photographing any scenic views of the park, since I was in the vicinity, I wanted to at least explore the trail around the Lower Dells.

 

Considering the temperature, I think I faired pretty well.  I was appropriately well bundled up in multiple layers, a heavy-weight balaclava and ski gloves, but as daylight slowly faded, I was certainly beginning to feel the chill.

 

About This Photograph

The above photograph was taken by the park lodge overlooking Starved Rock Visitor Centre, the Illinois River and Starved Rock itself.  This particular photograph combines two pictures merged in to one panoramic view.