I hesitate to title this as I love ice....

 You all know why. 

However, real true ice made out of water dripping through porous rocks and freezing in ice curtains over rock shelters or rock faces are uniquely beautiful.

Nature creates this with her weather in the winter. The water is almost always seeping through these formations and in the winter the hillsides that don't get sunlight stay colder allowing the ice to begin to form.

I feel that December through March, it is 'my' weird obsession to hunt out ice formations and see them. I enjoy figuring out where is the most likely place they will be and then photographing them. Often, I get to the same place over and over to watch it change.

This is what the ice cave area looks like as the end of winter comes around and the ice formations melt. With the ice is gone, it looks rather bland and uninteresting. In late March, the temps warm and the sun changes its angle and shines through the leafless trees to melt the ice.

What it looked like on Monday with its winter beauty. The top right 'cave' is the one I usually go into and photograph. It isn't easy to get there and it takes a bit of caution and of course good ice cleats.

Charlie explored it, took a drink of chilled ice water and then watched the valley below. He doesn't wander off. If I take too long exploring, he'll come and look at me and then whine.

I swear he is saying "Enough, let's get on with it!"

Mostly the water is always seeping or dripping and the temperatures cause the water to make these formations. Wouldn't it be cool to have a time lapse camera on these?

We made it down to where Weister creek has ice formations on its sandstone walls. I rerouted up and over the hogback and then down into the valley to avoid the fallen trees from last year's storms.

I only used my Infrared camera here because the colors where so fun. The red is the green mosses and a dying pine branch which cover the very small ice formations on the rock. To me, it looked like it could be a fairy cave. 

Why not?

This is as far as I go in the wintertime to this last wall of rocks and ice. You can see where the rains from last week raised the water level and evened out the icicles.

I always stop at this spot and enjoy a few moments photographing the ice formation on this bank of Weister Creek. This was the view on Monday.

I love this spot in all seasons. 

2022:

Springtime:

With each flash flood or heavy rain, the form of the creek changes slightly with fallen trees, roots, and shapes of the shores.

You can probably tell that this is my favorite place to visit in the winter time.

I have many other places I like to see out. I do this mostly solo because I don't have to rush and I can explore as I wish.

Sometimes I just think about blending into these places and never leaving. When my life ends, I'd love my ashes to be part of these places. 

The day was sucky until....

 But it ended up being a good one.

I meet the neatest folks while hiking. Yesterday I met a very handsome young man named Jesse. Hmm. I think I better start at the beginning.

The morning was cold bright and clear as a bell. My mule dragons were snoozing in the morning sun before I did chores.

I'd forgotten to sign up for class but went anyway and forgot my gym shoes in the car. I should have seen that as a sign, but I dealt with it.

At least I'd already packed my backpack with water, snacks, and all the gear I normally take with me for safety. I'd planned on going Ice Hunting when I got home from town.

The clouds had moved in so it was another one of those very overcast days with the promise of snow in the evening hours.

I decided to bring my Infrared camera anyway. I could take shots of the first ice cave with the startling range of colors that ice has with IR.

When I got to the first site, I was so happy to see ice forming. The previous blog had a photo of me in the upper right 'cave' with Charlie 2 years ago.

[The ice shows up blue because of the way the light waves with IR reflects from it.]

I went to grab my cell phone to take a wide angle shot before climbing down to another spot for a shot with my regular camera.

My cell phone was not in the inside zipped pocket. I stopped in my tracks. WT Heck??? I cursed under my breath and I'd better backtrack and hope the heck I can find it. How the zipped pocket came undone was a mystery to me.

Since I was the first human to leave tracks, backtracking wasn't too hard. After climbing down the steep hill, I found the phone sticking up out of the snow.
Crap. Was it still working? 
Fortunately it fell so that the ports were not buried in snow. I wiped it off and stuck it in my zip pocket once more.

Oddly enough, I checked the pocket after about 50 feet more of hiking and found the zipper coming undone. Mystery solved. I moved the phone to a zip pocket on my pants. Phooey. 

I decided to skip cave site number 2 and head out to the one area of Weister Creek that never disappoints.
We followed a deer trail with Charlie charging ahead.

I wanted to see how the ice was developing on the creek itself. Even the faster flowing areas were freezing over. 

We moved on down to the area where the mini bluffs were. Each year this spot produces amazingly beautiful ice formations as water drips from the rocks to the creek.

These are two samples of shots in Infrared. The blue tinted one with the 'orange ice' is pretty much what is seen in camera.

This second one is with channel swapping. The ice and waters are blue and the foliage is pinkish. I simply reversed the colors for a different effect.

Oddly enough, Charlie knows exactly where we are headed and the route we take. He is waiting patiently for me to catch up to him.

He is also learned NOT to go onto the ice ever. He is actually a pretty wise dog.

I finally pulled my regular camera out of my backpack. [My backpack has a rubber bottom so it doesn't get wet from the snow.]

These spots never cease to wow me. This is basically an off trail adventure which is not easy to get to. Years ago there was maintenance on this 'winter trail' for paid tours in February. In the past few years, the marking of the trail and clearing of trail debris has stopped.

I don't know if it is the new management that did it or lack of workers and funds. 

I climbed over the bluff with the ice on it. There used to be a very nice old trail that we rode our mules on in the 1990's above the ice. I was surprised and dismayed to see that the storms through this year had downed so many trees. 

It was quite the effort, but we rerouted and ended up at another ice formation.

By mid February the ice here is so thick, one cannot see the rocks behind it. As the ice ages and develops more, it takes on the colors of minerals from the seepage.

Here is a shot from 5 years ago in February:

A closer look at the rocks in the creek near where I was standing. The water here rushes by and splashes onto the rocks creating little icicles.

It started to snow so I decided I'd take a quick walk back to the second site and take a peak at those ice caves. 

The climb up the hill [zig zagging because it is so steep] was 135 feet. I can say that I did not do it in a rush. By the time I got to where I could peer down into the rock formations, it had started snowing heavily.

Instead of investigating them, I thought I'd stay up on the pine ridge and just walk above the ice caves and down back towards the parking lot.

This is looking down the bluff at Weister Creek.

Eventually I came to a 'blow down' that was immense. The pine forest had been decimated. The trunks and tops were blasted in every which direction and there was no way I was climbing through it.

I decided to follow a deer trail up and around it and I connected with the West Ridge Trail. I know that means nothing to the readers here, but that meant I had a nice wide cleared trail back to the car.

We got to the car and I placed Charlie in his car seat. I was feeding him a snack and a drink of water when the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Police truck pulled up. 

What do you do when you see a 'cop' car? First thing I think of is 'Sh-t, what did I do now?'

A very tall and handsome young man stepped out and walked over smiling. "On your way out or on you way in?" He asked.

I answered and stuck my hand out to introduce myself.

His name was Jesse. When he stepped up to shake my hand I realized how short I was. If I stared straight ahead I would be looking at the handcuffs on his vest.

Ahhhh. Dark haired and handsome. What I wouldn't have given to be 30 or 40 years younger!

We chatted a while and then he gave me his card. I will say this, he is out there talking to people on the Reserve and presenting a friendly officer vibe.

Damn. So good looking too.

I waved at the snow and said that I'd better get home. 

I sighed when I got in the 'Ru to drive home. The day was kind of sucky, but it sure improved in the parking area!

I Dun Did It!

What did I dun do?

I am a person who needs a challenge each year or some sort of goal to achieve. Sometimes my goal was learning something brand new like Infrared Photography, Still Photography, or things related to activities.

One year it was the KVR trail challenge. The challenge was to hike all of the trails in the Reserve and do it within a calendar year.

It took me 3 tries over a 3 years before I actually finished and completed all 69+ miles of marked trails at the Reserve. I'd had many many side trips while hiking with others during those years. 

One can't complete just the 69+ miles. You have to mix and match the trails to get them all in.

Anyway, I checked my 'yearly' hiking miles this year in November. I hadn't much thought of adding up how many miles I did. But my smarty-watch helped me keep track. 

I had a distance in mind but wasn't sure about how it would work out or if it was even possible. 

My hiking/walking was simply for looking for things and enjoying fresh air along with movement.

I missed many days due to heat, rain, BUGS, and of course the 9 days of gun season. So I was surprised that when I checked things again a week ago, I realized I could reach a goal of 1,000 miles. I mean, I was good with anything that I had. I thought I'd just establishing a baseline for future years if I decided to keep track. 

[Dang, that is a baseline? What should I set for another goal???]

I did the math and distances are an  accumulation of about 2.7 miles a day.

To get those last 5 miles in...

I decided to head to Weister Creek to check on my favorite Ice Formations. Rock Shelters with ice curtains.

Everyone calls them Ice Caves.

Over the years, visiting as many ice caves as I can is always to do in the winter. Let's face it, the land is unique and so are the 'caves'. They are just plain cool to see.

Below is a wide angle shot of the first set of caves. This spot is unusual in that it has several rock shelters and a lot of water seepage. By February, if the weather cooperates, these will become ice caves.

You can slip behind the sheet of ice and look out at a curtain of ice.

In this shot, Charlie and I are in the top right corner 'cave' in the photo above.
 

I'm about 5' 3' so that can give you an idea as to how tall that ice really is.

The trail [cough cough] -- not really a trail, a faint deer path... isn't marked. It is demanding, steep, and requires one to walk on a steep incline over obstacles. 

Climbing down to the caves is another adventure entirely. 

But when the ice sheets are full its so beautiful. 

It is worth the trouble of putting on ice cleats and trudging up into the caves.

What it can look like on a good winter from behind the ice.

There, I got in one pre Christmas Hike to visit the Ice Caves and accomplished something.

Let's see what happens next year. I have a couple of long distance challenges I've been thinking off.

The shot below is at the area where I generally stop in the winter and turn around.

This is what makes the hike so special ... so much cool ice!

It's hard to get to and find, but worth the difficulty. 

Generally in February there are guided tours given by staff of the Reserve to visit this area.

My Happy Place

 Weister Creek that is.

I had a 'date' with another hiker who cancelled early Friday morning. I didn't mind, I decided to head out and take Charlie to Weister Creek. The 'Ice' Caves probably were not spectacular with the drought we've had along with the strangely mild winter.

But I knew there would be some ice for me to enjoy. I felt that I should go even though the day was heavily overcast again and fairly cold.

I knew that once we got into the forest we'd be out of the cold and damp wind. Then things would get fun. Besides, I'd rather walk on frozen snow, ice, and mud than walk on slippery sloppy stuff.

I wore my YakTraks. It only took us about 7 minutes to get to the bottom of the first big gully with the rock shelters that turn into exotic ice caves most winters.

The 'caves' at the very top of these formations are over 6 foot tall inside.

This is a shot from 2 years ago to give you an idea at how large the 'cave' in the upper right corner is:

How was the ice this time? It was 

cool....

And for a view from end to end... Enjoy the drip drip drip noises. I found them so comforting. 14 seconds long. 

Normally by this time of the year, the Ice Curtain is huge and covers almost the whole rock shelter. The interior of the shelter or cave is also covered in ice. Ice cleats are a must for moving around this area.

Inside the 'cave' a few years ago:

Charlie and I walked over the top of the ridge and looked down on the second ice cave area. There was almost no ice but we could hear the dripping from the top of the rock shelter. We moved on and went further down to where most of the 'tours' end at another ice wall on Weister Creek.

Closer with a long lens.

In winter last year when we had subzero temperatures:

We headed over these ice formations and went down the stream to look at one of the last easy to get to formations of ice.

Charlie knows these trails by heart as he has been with me so many times.

During a good cold winter, this particular spot fills with layers of ice. The water around the large rock becomes thick enough to walk on and a person cannot see the sandstone behind the ice. the colors of ice will be various with the particulates it picks up. 

Curiously there is a cable that be seen when the ice is small. It has been there ever since I can recall. I see it in the spring usually when I hike here looking for Skunk Cabbage, Trillium, and all sorts of spring flowers.

This my Happy Place. 

Just go for it

I had to get out and I knew that it was windy and chilly. However I know that I could avoid most of the harsh cold winds while hiking on the Reserve. Most of the trails go up through forests and down through valleys as that is the lay of the land around here.

I learned my lesson a few years ago while trying the first attempt at completing the Trail Challenge.

Don't wait for perfect weather. That doesn't exist. 

Don't wait for perfect conditions. --> See above.

Don't wait for others to arrange their schedules. That sounds harsh, however I have a bit more time and chances to go than other folks. I don't have family obligations since there are no family members left living in my geographical area. I have no children's schedules to work around.

Hubby is comfortable with taking a nap and binge watching TV as long as he has snacks available.

I announce my intentions and go for a couple of hours to refresh my brain.

I knew the trails would alternate between soft muddy spots, water covered areas from snow melt, icy, and snowy. But we were out of the wind and 40 degrees felt warm.

West Ridge Trail Section 22

To my surprise the first leg of the trail up the steep hill from Camp P didn't take very long. We arrived at Ma & Pa's trail faster than I expected. Charlie likes to set a fast pace and I get to keep up.

West Ridge and Ma & Pa's Trail

Ma & Pa's Trail, snowy and icy section 29:

Ma and Pa's Trail sunny and warm section!
Charlie and I stop for a snack.

We left Ma & Pa's Trail and travelled near Weister Creek along the old mule and equine trails from 30 years ago. The indentions are still there if you can spot them. The rock mini bluffs are incredible. The terrain can be demanding.

We found no Skunk Cabbage plants as the shaded areas below the bluff were still incased in ice and layers of snow.

We made to the end of the Ice Cave Loop which is now Section 26. 

This is the ice formation at the end of the loop or what is left of it now.

[Same spot 2 years ago in January when Bill and his grandkids went with me.]

My Happy Place -- is on the trail just above Weister. I could hang out on this ledge all day. It is so peaceful.

I've never gone on this trail late in the afternoon with this particular light. So I noticed that below the bluff there was a rock ledge in the deep water. One of the reasons why the Reserve doesn't recommend jumping off bluffs into the rivers. 
I was really surprised to be able to see it so clearly.

There. I did it. 

Sections 26, 29, and 22 marked off.

Fun in ice

 My wayward son and his girlfriend came to visit on Friday. Of course Emily's little girl Amari was the highlight. I'm just a sucker for little ones...no matter what!

They call her Mari. And pronounce it Mar-eee. For whatever reason, Mari decided I was okay and made her intentions always clear with her hands with the universal 'kid' sign of UP! UP!

Come on, who cannot have their heart melted by a little one like this!

To be sure, she was also fascinated by my Skunk Hat. 

The trail was beaten down into pure ice and we all wore ice cleats except the little one. We took turns carrying her or steering her by her hood. It involved a lot of 2 year old gibberish and sometimes yelling by Mari. I told mom and son to let her holler all she wanted, we were in the 'wild' woods and it didn't bother me at all. 

After all, she has immense energy. Cold fresh air and a hike would be great for her after a 4 hour car ride.

To get into the ice caves/shelters is not easy on a good day. This day it was all ice from the recent rains. Mari has no fear at all. Here is a pre slide check. Emily is down the icy path ready for catching her daughter. Mari loved it.

Here Mari decides to run to me across the slippery ice.

Group shot. I set my little pocket camera on a mini tripod and set the delay for 30 seconds. I slid down the ice formation to the others and scrambled to get in the shot. My son was like: BE Careful Mom! And we all laughed when I slid past them to the dirt.

We ended out trek at Weister Creek's ice formations and headed back to the car.

My youngest, Mari, and I:

and Weister Creek:

I have to admit I had fun. It was a difficult hike with a little one and we did it. 

Next time I told them we'd take an easy trail that we could take a stroller on. Yeah...maybe!