Indy Hiker

WALK, TALK, PIZZA, PINT! Tuesday nights, Jockamo's opens it's small-but-tasty draft beer line-up for $4 pints. As well, Tuesday nights generally have a bit more breathing room for unannounced groups of 8-or-less. This makes for a fine excuse to enjoy a craft draft economically. ("Yay!")

A WALK IN THE PARK! Yipes! To keep our conditioning then, it requires (*requires!*) a post-pint stroll! Thus, a route through the Historic Irvington neighborhood will ensue, burning off those marvelous beery calories, perhaps getting in some tricky footwork or some minor hills in nearby Ellenburger Park and Pleasant Run Golf Course (~3-mile round trip), before heading back to Jockamo's for our cars (or more carbs)...

THIS 6PM EVENT WILL START & FINISH AT JOCKAMO'S (Irvington). If we sipped a beer for an hour, hike departure might be 7pm, with a finish ~8:30pm. FLASHLIGHTS are good to have onboard.

JOCKAMO'S IS A FAMILY RESTAURANT, and welcomes children of all ages. (But, not your puppy, weasel, cockatoo, or friendly elk.)

THIS WILL BE AN ALL-WEATHER EVENT. Test your rain gear, your lighting, your GoreTex boots, your hat selection -- whatever. I am also expecting to have some interior/non-hiking events, where we can review pack fitting, equipment choices, making stoves, sharing our favorite maps, etc. Just hikers getting in a stroll, handling equipment, talking maps and pizza and $4 pints. "Fitness" for your pack *and* your legs.

RSVPs: With a limit on space, no-shows are definitely uncool. Don't. Just don't.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/fort-harrison-state-park/

If you haven't visited this park before, you'll be surprised by how beautiful it is. We'll hike 4 miles around Fall creek and Cam creek. The trails are easy to moderate.
We'll meet by the restroom near Delaware Lake. (39.87234, -86.01947) (see event map and directions)

• there is a $7/car gate fee

Directions:
from the end of Post Rd, turn left into the park, follow signs to Delaware Lake, the road will end around the restroom, meet by the restroom (39.87234, -86.01947)

Join us for a pre-Christmas hike at Griffy lake
As usual the pace will be quick but if you aren’t fast or don’t like going fast we will stop every 15 minutes or so and whenever the trail changes to let you catch up.
Parts of this hike, if you go the whole way, are considered rugged.

There will be options to choose the mileage you want as we will begin with the hiking trail ending at the parking lot if you just want a little jaunt through the woods. The hiking trail is less than 2 miles. We will then head across the road to begin our lake loop with the north shore trail, probably the most challenging trail griffy has to offer. Be prepared for weird portions. You will have another option to cut it short here and loop back to parking for a total of around three miles.
The real adventurers will complete the North Shore Trail all the way to the dam , cross the dam to the new loop and back to parking for a total of at least ten miles.( Actual mileage tbd)

I love a little post hike beverage / meal and a chance to get to know each other when we don’t have to look at our feet. Bloomington is full of nice taverns

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: Close 9:30am Sundays. Your "Going" RSVP means people will rely upon your presence. 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.