Category: lakes

Shawnee National Forest – Illinois

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, camping, climbing, Geology, Hiking, illinois, kayaking, lakes, Landscape Photography, michigan, midwest usa, nature, photography, rewild, Shawnee National Forest

 

There are many miles of diverse hiking and backpacking trails in the Shawnee National Forest including the 160-mile River to River Trail.

One of the most photographed locations in the state, Garden of the Gods’ scenic beauty is extraordinary. In the recreation area you can hike, camp, nature watch or picnic.

The Observation Trail features unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the God Wilderness. Interpretive signs explain the geological history. The 1/4-mile trail is made of natural sandstone and takes about an hour to walk. It contains short, steep grades and steps; benches are located along the trail and as a whole the trail is not tiring. Caution should be used due to the high cliffs in the area.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=10685&actid=50

 

Starved Rock State Park: Gorging on Gorges

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, camping, climbing, Geology, Hiking, illinois, lakes, midwest usa, nature, photography, rewild

Starved Rock State Park: Gorging on Gorges

https://bithiker.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/starved-rock-state-park-gorging-on-gorges/
— Read on bithiker.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/starved-rock-state-park-gorging-on-gorges/

South Dakota High Point: Hiking Black Elk Peak

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, camping, climbing, Geology, Hiking, lakes, Landscape Photography, midwest usa, nature, photography, rewild, South Dakota

South Dakota High Point: Hiking Black Elk Peak

South Dakota High Point: Hiking Black Elk Peak
— Read on anotherwalkinthepark.com/2019/04/07/south-dakota-high-point-hiking-black-elk-peak/

Devil’s Lake State Park – Wisconsin

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, camping, climbing, Geology, Hiking, kayaking, lakes, Landscape Photography, nature, photography, rewild, Travel

If you can only hike one trail...Devil’s Lake State Park is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin and is Wisconsin’s most popular state park with about 3 million visitors per year. The over 9,000 acre park anchors more than 27,000 acres of parkland and natural areas.

Start at the Nature Center. A three-dimensional landform model of the park will bring the park terrain into sight from a bird’s-eye view. A series of panoramas make clear the formation of the valley, once 1,000 feet deep, now half-filled with rock and sediment and topped by the 50-foot-deep Devil’s Lake. Hands-on items include various bones, furs, shells, and rocks.

There is a lot to keep you busy at Devil’s Lake State Park! Devil’s Lake has 2 large, sandy, beaches, large picnic areas with charcoal grills, reservable and non-reservable shelters and over 29 miles of hiking & mountain bike trails. Concessions offer kayak, canoe and paddleboat and stand-up board rentals as well. Local Outfitters provide rock climbing and bouldering instruction as well as guided backcountry hikes & step on guide services.

Devil’s Lake State Park is known for it’s amazing rock formations and expansive vistas from the top of the Baraboo Bluffs! If this is what you’re looking for and you only have time for one trail, we recommend the East Bluff Trail. Plan for 3 – 4 hours.

If you’re looking for a flat trail, there are paved paths that go through the beach areas on the both sides of the lake near the beaches. The best flat trail options are the Tumbled Rocks trail along the bottom of the West Bluff or the Grottos Trail on the South Shore.

Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

 

Returning to the jaw dropping Sawtooths | Idaho

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, Geology, Hiking, kayaking, lakes, nature, photography, rewild, Travel

Returning to the jaw dropping Sawtooths | Idaho

Returning to the jaw dropping Sawtooths | Idaho
— Read on nonstoptravelling.com/2019/07/25/returning-to-the-jaw-dropping-sawtooths-idaho/

Shawnee National Forest – Illinois

by KayeRay, posted in adventure, birding, climbing, Geology, Hiking, illinois, lakes, Landscape Photography, nature, rewild, Shawnee National Forest, Travel

Water pool with rock cliffs and heavily forested area surrounding it

Clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and plants unique to Illinois. The trail consists of seven miles of interconnected trails, featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge.

Aerial view of river with rock cliffs and shrubs surrounding it

Looking for solitude?  Wilderness areas are some of the largest contiguous forested lands within the Shawnee, and together they make up about 10 percent of the national forest.

Rocky waterfall

This place has it all – majestic bluffs, a lush bottomland habitat, colorful cliffs and expansive views of the Big Muddy and Mississippi rivers. If you like to watch birds, this spot is haven for neotropical migratory songbirds during the spring and fall.

Scenic view from trail looking out at meadow and trees from a rock pinnacle

Majestic views await you at Inspiration Point, a National Recreation Trail, located at LaRue Pine Hills. With more than 170 bird species, it is a birders’ paradise. In the spring, the trail is bordered with wildflowers — blazing star, bellwort, bluets and spiderwort.

Natural bridge

Check out this rocky bridge, which spans 90 feet, while you’re visiting the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Located just minutes off Highway 127, it takes less than an hour to hike.

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/shawnee