Stairs are hard work . . .

. . . but a trip up these beats a scramble up the limestone cliffs. There are several sets of long staircases at Starved Rock State Park, which hugs the shoreline along the Illinois River and encompasses acres and acres of rugged limestone cliffs. (Yes, cliffs in Illinois!)

The staircase winds around a corner and continues up. Someone used a Sharpie at the bottom rail to write "236 steps to go". We didn't count.