Some 19,000 years ago, torrential meltwater from a receding glacier tore through central Illinois, gouging out the Illinois and Kankakee Rivers and the dramatic sandstone canyons of what is now Starved Rock State Park. Those water-carved canyons attract thousands of city dwellers in spring, summer, and fall, but I’ll never forget the park’s spectral beauty when my wife and I first visited in winter.
It was just after the new year, on the eve of a historic arctic chill. The thermometer had already dipped into the mid-20s, and our breath billowed in front of us as we followed the easiest trail, which hugs the shore of the Illinois River. The occasional birdcall overhead sliced the quiet like a scalpel. As we descended into the deeper reaches of the park, we were struck dumb by the silent agony of frozen waterfalls. There are many of them in the park: At Sac Canyon, a broad series of plateaus fan water into a stream below; the falls at French Canyon cut a twisty path down a shallow incline of sandstone; the spectacular falls at St. Louis Canyon perform a long, straight drop past a commanding amphitheater of rock.
But what stopped us in our boot prints that day was Ottawa Canyon’s falls (pictured), where an overhang and a landing below it allowed us to cross, precariously, behind the sheet of water and look out into the canyon. In the cold, the water hung like thick braids of silver hair, cascading earthward but shocked into stillness, awaiting spring’s thaw.
BEAUTIFUL ,JUST STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!
Love your picturesque description of your visit! starved rock is now on my (winter) weekend list of things to do. thank you!
Why are you suggesting travel in the middle of a global pandemic?
I think if you’re traveling by car it should be fine, as long as you wear a mask & distance yourself you should be fine. It’s outdoors, it should be fine. Trust me in the middle of a pandemic it’s beautiful to see what nature has to offer.
Lived in LaSalle-Peru for 5 years. My parents, who have passed, lived in Peru until their deaths. So I’m very familiar with “the Rock”, Illinois River, Burgoo & all that is part of that area.
I love Starved Rock but have never thought of visiting in Winter. Adding that on my list of things to do!
Have been there in the summer time and loved it. Would love to see this beautiful Winter Wonderland!!!
How gorgeous – breathtakingly beautiful what nature provides.
I would love to see this it’s beautiful
Always heard how beautiful it is there at starved rock. Never seen it in the winter. Have to put that on my bucket list?