Favorite Hiking Trail in Indiana

Hi all - Dianne here.  Well, it wouldn't be a trip to Indiana without visiting Turkey Run State Park and going on my favorite hike in the state.   We will be here for the next two weeks, and will meet up with our friends, the Gemmers, for some kayaking fun later on.  

This morning Roger, the dogs, and I took a 5 1/2 mile hike.  We took trail 7 from the campground, criss-crossing over a small stream, 

then on trail 6 over to trail 1. 

 We passed by the Turkey Run Inn

 lodge, the suspension bridge,

 then on trail 1 along Sugar Creek to the covered

 bridge, where the trail turns away from the creek and loops  back.   We passed through an area of huge old-growth walnut and sycamore trees.  My pedometer registered 11,790 steps, many of which were up and down on

 wooden or rock 

staircases.   Even the dogs were worn out by the time we got back to the motor home!

The rugged hiking is worth the effort, though, because the topography of this state park is different than any other.   Sandstone deposits were carved out by glacial meltwaters, giving some fantastic rock structures.  There are also large "erratics," bedrock boulders carried here from Canada on the glaciers.   These trails are well known to most Hoosiers, and Turkey Run is one of the most popular parks in the state.   The trails are normally shady and cool, even on a hot, humid summer day in Indiana.

In addition to hiking, there is also horseback riding on bridle trails, and canoe, tubing, or kayak trips down Sugar Creek.

 Every year for the past three years we've met our friends here to go kayaking down Sugar Creek.   This year we both have our own inflatable kayaks, so we might try it with our own boats.

In the fall, visitors can see the beautiful fall colors (see the covered bridge photo we took a couple of years ago when we were here in the fall),

 and can experience Parke County's Covered Bridge Festival.

  Halloween is a fun time to camp in the campground, because people get into the spirit and decorate their campsites for some ghoulish fun.   We did that a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

Of course, I must include at least one close-up photo of woodland fungus!

   

 This bright orange one was especially large and brightly-colored. 

Tomorrow we must take a day away from here, drive home to water, weed, mow, pick up apples, and take care of things at our house for sale in Pendleton.