Matthiessen State park
the Matthiessen State park is part of Deer Park, United States.Top photos chosen by u all:
Matthiessen Surprise
Made by eScapes Photo
on black. On the main trail at Matthiessen State Park in Illinois, there is a place called Cedar Point. From there, you can see up a small tributary that quickly turns a corner. I had always wondered what was up there and since I was completely prepared to walk through all kinds of water yesterday in my awesome Merrill water shoes, I ventured across the river and up the little stream. It's interesting because just a few feet later, you round a small corner and you see the falls on the right. Had things been ever so slightly different at Cedar Point, you'd see the falls from there, but they are not. To see this you have to be curious enough to cross the river. That was exciting enough but then I turned a 90 degree corner just behind where I was standing to see the table-top cascade to the left. It literally made me gasp. I love little table-top falls more then any other I think and I had no idea this was even in the park. I was actually headed over to Starved Rock later in the day to find a cascade like this, but this changed everything. I had the entire place to myself and just drank it in. If you continue to follow the river up to the left, there are another five cascades above this one - all within about 300 yards. It may be my new favorite spot in the park.
Last Shot
Made by eScapes Photo
as in last shot taken yesterday. From the bridge across the little creek that runs through Matthiessen State Park. The creek was frozen over - the snow still sitting on the deeper channel in the middle. Even in the lower light, the ice was taking on a mix of interesting qualities. There's a real ruddy iron runoff about 100' upstream (behind me) and it starts turning the creek rouge. By the time it gets a little further downstream, the red has turned tannish... Here's the from another time of year - April of '07. I am tempted to take a chainsaw up there next trip to clean up this image...
Lake Falls
Made by lapstrake
Plunging over 45 feet from Deer Park Lake, this waterfall begins the lower dells portion of Matthiessen State Park. The canyon below is about one mile long with beautiful colored sandstone, mini falls and caves. This photo was taken from my personal helicopter -- just kidding! It was taken from a bridge that spans the falls.
cascade falls
Made by lapstrake
30 foot tall Cascade falls at Matthiessen State Park near Utica, Illinois. Lots of great canyons, streams and little caves cut into the sandstone just waiting to be explored. This wasn't easy without a tripod - a long exposure with the camera in my hand but leaning on a rock! Next time I've got to bring my tripod.
ice cold turbulance
Made by lapstrake
The bottom of Lake Falls in Matthiessen State Park. This was a close as I could get before the lens was covered in the spray from the falls.
Nearest places of interest:
| Hennepin Illinois Henry Illinois Grand Ridge Streator | Starved Rock State Park Downtown Utica Peru Ladd Illinois |
