Day Hike at the Mississippi Pallisades

9/27/15

We head out from Apple River Canyon early, and take Ridge Road west, toward the Mississippi River. I couldn't stop snapping pictures out the window of the lovely open and mostly empty roads, the farmhouses, the fields, the vistas.  We could see for miles, into Wisconsin to our right and Illinois to our left. 

Big surprise, our GPS took us down more narrow gravel roads. We are getting good at gauging tree limb heights by now.

Again, more trees defying gravity.

This park had several entrances and a huge campground. We drove around and with the help of the map, headed toward as many overlooks and trails as we could fit into one day.

First stop, lovely poison ivy. Ick.

Down a short path to this view of the Mississippi. 

The trails were described as rugged, and they were. They were also crawling with poison ivy. 

We had to be very careful where the dog stuck his nose.

The rocks did not disappoint.

It's hard to get the scale of these rocks from the photos. They were huge.

Our last trail of the day was the best, to Sentinel Rock. 

Lots and lots of steps, rocks and wooden ones, and one memorable part of the trail involved 72 wooden stair steps, quite the workout.

But it was worth it for the view from up top.

A pair of climbers had just finished their ascent. 

Our trail down came around the back side of the cliff and was filled with ferns, mosses and mushrooms.

And more statuesque rocks.

It's a wonder I didn't fall off the edge snapping pictures of pretty things like this mushroom...

Or these amazingly twisted branches...

I could have stared at this one for a long time, but I had to keep up with the boys.

Another park crossed off our list, another great day of sunshine, exercise and scenery.

We aren't sure where we are headed next, but likely north into upper Wisconsin for some fall colors.

To be continued....