Indy Hiker

PURPOSE: whatever you want.
► Running, ambling, nursing a nagging hip, testing new boots/rain gear/snow cleats, heart-rate training, pack questions, hiking questions, running questions, Indiana trail(s) questions, dealing with rain -- OR!!! Simply gliding along in the woods with the fellowship of fellow humans... IT'S ALL GOOD.
► Also, Existential Questions, limited Herpetology, and Small Engine Repair.

RAIN OR SHINE. SLEET & SNOW. LIGHTNESS, DARKNESS, WHATEVER.
► These are all-weather events: we take the trail as it comes.
► We take to the trail at the same time, every week, throughout the year.
► OFF-TRAIL hikes will increase while the foliage is leaf-less.
► Hikes generally run 2mph and 2 HOURS, but are circumstance-responsive.
► A pint/hour of WATER is always a good idea.
► FLASHLIGHTS may be helpful in the winter months.

Ft. Ben Trails (including the asphalt circuit and the sledding hill on those occasions when trails are soaked) are a marvelous training resource. If the trails are gooey, we may hike off-trail or hit the asphalt or the sledding hill. Test your rain gear in inclement weather; test your hydration strategies when it's broiling; test your layering when it's cold.

MEET NEAR THE REDDICK SHELTER at 4:10pm; departure 10 mins later.

HEATED/AC RESTROOMS NEARBY.

PARK ENTRY FEE/PERMIT REQUIRED. If you'd like to arrange a carpool from near the gate (or Jockamo Pizza), saving the $7 State Park fee, post a Comment.

PRE/POST BEER/WINE/PICNICing/PIZZAing: Refueling is just so wonderful! (And for those in the habit, a fine pre-fueling beverage/snack may be shared/enjoyed earlier than 4pm...) in nearby shade, up the sledding hill, and/or perhaps less commonly (as rain or heat suggest) at Jockamo Pizza (or other nearby venue).
► Bring a chair!
► Bring what you have; come as you are.
► Wonderful wines, beers, cheeses and cheeses, fruits and nuts and buttery crackers!!! Specialty salsas, fun breads, pesto(s) -- you get the idea. Perhaps a small grill might appear!
► POST-HIKE almost always, PRE-HIKE mostly On Demand. (Thus, if you wish for this and don't see it in the Event's Comment section, do post a Comment on the Event page!)

RSVPs: Open/Close 9:30am Sundays. Your "Going" RSVP means people will rely upon your presence. As well, Bad Ju-Ju (and a "No Show" flag) befalls those who take up a limited-supply slot after 9:30. Be considerate to your trail companions. Keep your RSVP up-to-date, always.

Dear Friends-

Please join us for an adventurous hike at Turkey Run State Park. This will be a moderately challenging hike of approximately 5-6 miles.

We will meet at the Nature Center parking lot at 11am EST (10am CST) and head for the trails by 11:15am. Turkey Run State Park charges an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle, or you may enter using an annual Indiana State Park pass. There are indoor restrooms located at the Nature Center.

We will start on trail 2 entering Box Canyon, winding around through Gypsy Gulch, before crossing over the Narrows Covered Bridge onto trail 4. We will hike trail 4 until it merges with trial 3, one of the most scenic trails in the park. We will descend along the creek that runs through Rocky Hollow Canyon, past the Punch Bowl. (Anticipate getting your shoes/boots wet on this part of the trail.) There are a few small waterfalls on trail 3, which really contribute to the beauty of this hike. *Please note this section of this hike is rugged, and may not be possible for dogs or young children.

Once we exit Rocky Hollow, we will continue on trail 3, through the Ice Box, and then we will climb up the "Ladders." (Note this section of the trail is not recommended for dogs or young children.) While each of the three ladders are secured to the canyon wall, each ladder is approximately 25 foot long, with no alternative means for ascending this portion of the trail.

Once we've reached the top, we will take a short break for water/trail snacks. From here, we will pick up trail 5 as a connection to trail 9, where we will hike down into Boulder Canyon.

Finally, passing through Boulder and Falls Canyon, we will finish by hiking trail 5 along Sugar Creek, following 3 all the way back to the Suspension Bridge. Climbing the 70 steps, and returning to our vehicles at the Nature Center parking lot.

Although we will be planning for only the group hike, there is so much to do in the Turkey Run area that you may want to spend the weekend here. Turkey Run State Park has a large outdoor pool, with a $3 admission charge per person, if you feel like taking a swim after the hike. Other options include kayak, canoe, or inner tube floats down Sugar Creek. These can be rented from local Sugar Valley Canoe trips "sugarvalleycanoes.com" or a little further towards Crawfordsville at Clements Canoes Outdoor Center "clementscanoes.com"

Reservations for the Turkey Run Inn and Cabins can be made from the "booking.com" website.

Campsite reservations for Turkey Run, or nearby Shades State Park can be found at "indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com"

Additional camping sites can be found at Peaceful Waters Campground at "peacefulwaterscampground.com", or Turkey Run Canoe & Camping at "turkeyruncanoeandcamping.com", or Sugar Creek Campground & Canoe at "sugarcreekcampground.com" or Lake Waveland Park at "lakewaveland.com."

Hope to see you on the trails!
Erin

I've decided to start a series exploring the trails and forests of Hickory Ridge in the HoosierNF. Now that things have filled in both on and off trail, we will stick to mostly on trail hiking more than off.
We'll meet at the Hickory Ridge Trail 18 parking area located west of Maumee and head off into the woods to go explore some valleys and ridges both on and off the beaten path. This hike will be a rugged one, with climbs up steep hills, down into narrow valleys with creek crossings, and plenty of what did I get myself into thoughts... bring some hiking poles or find a good sturdy stick, plenty of snacks and water or a filter, and gear for the weather. And pants are necessary for some of the thicker off trails areas we might visit.
Pace on these is usually pretty slow, under 2 mph, and usually hovers around 1.5 mph. Depending on conditions, it might only be 6 or 7 miles in length, but possibly around 11 or 12 miles as well. The group will dictate what we do, but leaving early won't really be a good option as the group will need to stay somewhat together since we won't be on actual trails at times. I will be using some old roads, hitting up the occasional wildlife ponds and some other areas of value along the hike.