Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail – Ferne Clyffe State Park
- by Gary Marks Have you ever been to Ferne Clyffe and drove right past the lake on your way to the popular Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail? You are definitely not alone. Many often overlook the Ferne Clyffe Lake trail that is tucked away on the edges of one of the few lake hikes in Southern Illinois. Where to Go? When coming to the first stop sign in the park make a left and head downhill. Near the bottom of the road is a small parking area... Read More
3 Easy Ferns You Can Identify On Your Next Hike In Southern Illinois
3 Easy Ferns You Can Identify On Your Next Hike In Southern Illinois - by Gary Marks Imagine a fern. Not hard to do, right? Now try to write down exactly what that fern in your mind looks like or try to describe it in detail to a friend. Just got a little harder, didn’t it? The land of ferns tend to be a quiet bunch. No brilliant colors, no showy flowers, no edible fruit, just a lot of green foliage. If you look closer though you will... Read More
3 Great Places To Spend A 3 Day Weekend In Southern Illinois
3 Great Places To Spend A 3 Day Weekend In Southern Illinois Are you getting ready for 3-day weekend this week? If so, here are some great places in Southern Illinois to spend 3 days exploring the natural side of the Shawnee Hills. 1. Giant City State Park This 4,000 acre state park is one of the best places to visit in Southern Illinois. It boasts 7 hiking trails that explore varied areas of the park. Here’s a couple of my favorites: Trillium... Read More
Photo of the Week: Cicada Emergence at Ferne Clyffe State Park
Photo of the Week: Cicada Emergence at Ferne Clyffe State Park - by Gary Marks What a treat this week to see this 13-year cicada at Ferne Clyffe State Park. This newly emerged insect was perched upon a brick wall near one of the restrooms. I had recently read on the Trail and Tales Blog about the recent infestation in Saline County, but had not personally seen any until this week. After seeing several along this wall, we started to notice... Read More
Freeze Time in Southern Illinois
December 16, 2010 Haven’t read Tuesday’s Blog Post? Click Here to Read. Oh No, Freezing Rain! As I write tonight an ice storm is rolling its way through Southern Illinois. We hover just in the freezing range, but have missed the worst of it. The sidewalk and porch have a thin layer of ice. It’s a good time just to be inside a nice warm house and to let the road crews and nature do their jobs. Back to Monday This Monday... Read More
The Day Winter Began
December 14, 2010 I am all comfy and warm sitting at my desk, but just two days ago we received our first snowfall. Most of the Midwest was smashed by a frigid Arctic front that plummeted the windchill to zero degrees and below. Inventory Time I rounded up all of my winter clothes and took an inventory of what I would need. I started out with a compression top and bottom and then proceeded to put on not one, not two, but three pair of breathable... Read More
The Day Fall Was Over
December 8, 2010 The leaves of fall have been resting on the ground for well over a month and the official day of winter is rushing in on December 21. As I look back on the colors of this fall, there is one scene that keeps replaying in mind. On an early morning October day in Ferne Clyffe I was out with my camcorder looking for scenes to film that depicted this change in season. It was peak time for colors and the wind had picked up during... Read More
Ferne Clyffe State Park – Round Bluff Trail
This series, Notes from the Trail, focuses on thoughts and events that happen with the interactions in nature. I step onto my back porch trying to gauge how today’s weather will be. I am cheerful that once again the deep humidity of the long summer has subsided. Thoughts of fall attempt to encroach upon the mind. I shake them away. The calender still says August and summer may not be over yet. I look at my watch and know that I... Read More
Ferne Clyffe Waterfall – Ferne Clyffe State Park
This series focuses on photos and videos from our local waterfalls in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. If you have not read our previous posts in this series click the following link: The Waterfall Chaser Archives. Sunday August 15, 2010 Waters Running? That is exactly what I thought when we pulled into the parking area for the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. How after a long dry summer of 100 degree temps could water be running? That... Read More
Ferne Clyffe State Park – Hawks Cave
This is the first in a new series called Videos from the trail. It is similar to Notes from the Trail, but will be less wordy and focus on video from the natural side of Southern Illinois. Hawks Cave This trail is located in Ferne Clyffe State Park. In my opinion, it is one of the best trails in the park. If time is limited make sure to check out the main waterfall trail and the massive bluff shelter on Hawks Cave Trail. The trail is around... Read More
