Shades State Park: Trails #1, #6, and Trail to Lover's Leap (Blog Hike #1034)

Trails: Trails #1, #6, and Trail to Lover's Leap
Hike Location: Shades State Park
Geographic Location: southwest of Crawfordsville, IN (39.93691, -87.07575)
Length: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: 8/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: October 2024
Overview: A lollipop loop through and along deep rock-walled ravines.
Park Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/shades-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=974371
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming date TBD)

Directions to the trailhead: From Crawfordsville, take SR 47 south 9.5 miles to SR 234 and turn right on SR 234.  Drive SR 234 west 4.9 miles to the signed park entrance on the left.  Turn left on the park access road, then turn right at the next Shades State Park sign to enter the park.  Pay the entrance fee and drive the main park road to its end at the large parking lot for the Hickory Picnic Shelter.  Park near the rear of this lot.

The hike: The steep rock-walled ravines that make Shades State Park famous among hikers today have been attracting people's attention for centuries.  Ancient peoples used the ravines as strongholds when attacked, and a government survey in 1815 used the series of natural springs in these ravines as landmarks.  In 1886, the Garland Dells Mineral Springs Association purchased the land and opened a health resort called The Shades.  The resort's name was short for "Shades of Death," a nickname this land earned probably because it was so unsuitable for food production.  In 1916, Joseph W. Fritz gained control of the Association, and in 1947 his heirs sold the land, which was bought later that year by the State of Indiana to form the state park.

            The steep ravines also ensured that settlers were deterred from trying to farm the land, thus guaranteeing the land's virgin timber was not clear-cut.  The big old trees still welcome visitors today, and the forest makes for great hiking.  On a personal note, with this hike I completed my goal of visiting and hiking in every Indiana state park.  While Indiana does not have many state parks, most of the parks it does have are fantastic, and I wished I had not waited so long to come here.

            In terms of amenities, Shades State Park offers a quiet 105-site campground and several picnic shelters, but the ravines remain this park's main attraction.  Hiking trails lead into all 6 ravines, and proving that you completed a difficult 4.5 mile hike known as the 6-Ravine Challenge earns you the right to buy a special sticker for $1.  The hike described here explores 2 of the park's ravines, and it lets you experience the scenery of the ravines without the difficulty of the 6-Ravine Challenge.

Trail at rear of parking lot

            From the rear/east side of the parking lot, head down the gravel road that leads to the Hickory Picnic Shelter, then angle right to walk between the picnic shelter and the playground to begin Trail #1.  The trail becomes single-track dirt as it continues east through ridgetop forest that features large beech and maple trees.  The terrain is flat and the hiking pleasant.

Sugar Creek, as seen from Prospect Point

            At 0.3 miles, you reach Prospect Point, which offers the best ridgetop view on this hike.  This point sits at the very end of the ridge, and Sugar Creek can be seen 140 feet almost directly below you.  No signs of civilization can be seen from this overlook, so take some time to enjoy this spot.

Steep stairs beside Silver Cascade

Top of Silver Cascade

            Trail #1 now turns south to tread along the edge of Sugar Creek's ravine.  At 0.4 miles, you reach a trail intersection.  All 3 trails at this intersection are called Trail #1, which is somewhat confusing.  You want to turn left and descend a long, steep wooden staircase to reach Silver Cascade.  Silver Cascade is a long cascading low-volume waterfall at the mouth of Red Fox Ravine.  A spur trail takes you to the middle of the waterfall, so the water cascades both above you and below you.  This is a very scenic spot, and I was amazed by the cool temperature of the ravine compared to the ridge.

Hiking up the ravine

            Trail #1 continues by heading up the creekbed in Red Fox Ravine.  The trail crosses back and forth over the creek, so you will likely get your feet wet and muddy here.  Some hemlock trees live in this ravine, and vertical rock walls rise on either side of the creek.  Though the going is challenging, this ravine is the most scenic section of this hike.

Devil's Punch Bowl

            At 0.7 miles, you reach a tight rocky spot in the ravine called the Devil's Punch Bowl.  Climb some wooden stairs to exit the bowl and reach a trail intersection.  Trail #1 continues across the wooden bridge to the right, and you could go that way if you wanted a shorter hike.  To also visit the Lover's Leap overlook, turn left and climb gradually to reach the parking lot for the Dell Picnic Shelter.  Turn left to walk around the cul de sac near this parking lot, then angle north to begin the Trail to Lover's Leap.

Lover's Leap Overlook

            The Trail to Lover's Leap heads out the northern edge of another ridge, and at 1.1 miles it reaches its namesake overlook.  Honestly, this overlook is underwhelming because trees obstruct any broad views, but I still enjoyed looking down into the ravine I had hiked up just a few minutes ago.  Retrace your steps to the Dell Picnic Shelter parking lot, then angle right to begin the combined Trails #6 and #9 as they head across a sunny earthen dam that forms a small pond.

Trail #6 in Red Fox Ravine

            At 1.55 miles, Trails #6 and #9 part ways.  Turn right to stay on Trail #6 as it makes a gentle entrance into Red Fox Ravine near the ravine's head.  The trail heads down the ravine, and while the going is not as wet and muddy as Trail #1 you hiked earlier, a few rugged areas still need to be negotiated.  At 1.8 miles, you climb slightly to intersect Trail #1.  Turn left to cross Red Fox Ravine on a wooden bridge, then climb slightly to close Trail #1's loop near the Hickory Picnic Shelter.  A left turn and short walk out the gravel road returns you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

Prophetstown State Park: Trails #3 and #2 (Blog Hike #1033)

Trails: #3 and #2
Hike Location: Prophetstown State Park
Geographic Location: north of Lafayette, IN (40.51341, -86.80383)
Length: 5.6 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2024
Overview: A double loop along 2 rivers and through large prairies.
Park Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/prophetstown-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=974284
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming date TBD)

Directions to the trailhead: Near Lafayette, take I-65 to SR 43 (exit 178).  Exit, go south on SR 43 for 0.3 miles, then turn left on Burnetts Road.  Drive Burnetts Road its entire length of 0.4 miles to 9th Street and turn right on 9th Street.  Drive 9th Street south 0.5 miles to Swisher Road and turn left on Swisher Road.  Swisher Rd. deadends at the park entrance.  Pay the entrance fee, then drive the main park road to the parking lot at its very end, a total of 5 miles from 9th Street.  Park here.

The hike: Established only in 2004, Prophetstown State Park is the newest state park in Indiana.  The park occupies 2000 acres at the confluence of the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers near Lafayette, and it protects a nice combination of restored prairie and woodland habitats.  The park is named for 2 Shawnee brothers, Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, who founded a Shawnee village here in 1808.  Tenskwatawa, also known as The Prophet, was the spiritual leader of the village, while Tecumseh was the military leader.  The circumstances that led to the destruction of their village will be described later in this blog entry.

            Like most new state parks, Prophetstown State Park has new and fantastic amenities, which include a 100-site developed campground, numerous picnic areas, a 2.4 mile paved bike trail, and 4 hiking trails totaling 10.8 miles.  The park also features The Farm at Prophetstown, a living history museum that demonstrates how farming was done in the 1920's, and a Native American Village that replicates a Shawnee council house and medicine lodge.  The hike described here is a double loop that combines two of this park's trails, Trail #3 and Trail #2, each of which forms an independent loop.  These loops explore both the prairie and woodland habitats, and thus they offer a good overview of this park's natural scenery.

Circle of Stones Monument

            Before hitting the trail, take a detour to the south (far) side of the parking lot to view the Circle of Stones Monument, which is also known as the Monument to the Confederated Tribes.  This monument is a circle of 15 large rocks, each of which bears the name of an ancient people that lived in Indiana.  Shawnee are among the peoples represented here, and this park is the perfect place for this kind of monument.

Trailhead at rear parking lot

            Begin by heading east on the concrete trail marked as Trail #2, but turn sharply left to begin a narrow dirt trail as an overlook platform comes in sight; we will visit the overlook platform at the end of this hike.  When you reach a gravel road, turn right to cross the dam that forms the park's fishing pond and quickly intersect Trail #3.  Turn left to stay on the gravel road and begin a clockwise journey around Trail #3.

Hiking along the wooded hillside

            Just shy of 0.5 miles, Trail #3 leaves the gravel road to the right.  Intersections such as this one are marked by wooden posts bearing trail numbers.  Turn right to stay on Trail #3.  For the next 1.1 miles the trail heads east through a narrow wooded corridor along a low but steep hillside.  Oak and hickory trees dominate this hillside.  A golf course and subdivision lie uphill to the left, while a wetland sits downhill to the right.  Numerous steep but shallow ravines need to be dropped into and climbed out of, and this section of trail is one of the hilliest sections in the entire park.

Crossing a ravine

            After curving right to descend the hillside, you intersect an asphalt bike trail at 1.6 miles.  Dirt Trail #3 continues straight, and we will go that way after taking a quick detour to the left to reach a bench overlooking the Tippecanoe River.  Less than 2500 feet from its mouth at the Wabash River, the Tippecanoe flows deep and slow here.  This bench is perched atop the steep river bank, and it makes a nice place to stop, rehydrate, and have a snack near the quarter-point of this hike.

Tippecanoe River

            Back on Trail #3, the trail enters a riverside forest that features some large sycamore trees and a dense understory of honeysuckle.  At 2.2 miles, take a short spur trail that exits left and leads to the sandy bank of the Wabash River.  The old Prophetstown founded by Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh was located just upstream from here, but the village lasted only about 3 years.  In 1811, Indiana Territory Governor William Henry Harrison became concerned about the number of people settling at Prophetstown and led 1050 troops toward the village.  Worried about an attack, the villagers at Prophetstown decided to strike first, and on November 7, 1811 they engaged Harrison's troops in the Battle of Tippecanoe.  The battle lasted just 2 hours.  The villagers were forced to retreat and abandon Prophetstown, after which Harrison's troops burned the village to the ground.

Wabash River

            The trail parallels the Wabash River for 0.6 miles before curving right to head through a prairie, where a large number of butterflies greeted me.  A spur trail exits left to a wetland, but you will get a better view of that wetland at the end of this hike.  At 3.1 miles, you intersect the asphalt bike trail again.  Turn left to quickly close Trail #3's loop, then turn left to walk back across the dam that forms the fishing pond, then turn right to begin a counterclockwise journey around Trail #2.  Some benches overlook the fishing pond, and I enjoyed a rest and water break here while watching a heron across the pond.

Heron at fishing pond

            Trail #2 continues west through fantastic restored tallgrass prairie.  4.2 miles into the hike, you reach an intersection with Trail #1, which forms a loop around the park's developed campground.  You could also hike Trail #1 if you wanted to add more distance to this hike, but I chose to turn left and stay on Trail #2.

Hiking Trail #2 through the prairie

            The campground comes into view on the right as the trail climbs moderately to cross the main park road you drove in on.  You pass through a picnic area to reach another trail intersection at 4.6 miles.  Turn left to begin the final leg of Trail #2.

View at wetland overlook platform

            The mowed-grass trail heads east through more excellent prairie before angling right to enter the woods just past 5 miles.  The trail surface turns to dirt and the trail narrows before it climbs to reach a wetland overlook platform at 5.5 miles.  This platform offers a fantastic view over the wetlands to the east, and I saw at least 30 mallard ducks in this wetland.  This platform is also the one you saw at the beginning of this hike, so walking up the concrete path that exits this platform returns you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

East Harbor State Park: Channel Dunes, Water's Edge, and Wetlands Trails (Blog Hike #1032)

Trails: Channel Dunes, Water's Edge, and Wetlands Trails
Hike Location: East Harbor State Park
Geographic Location: east of Port Clinton, OH (41.55100, -82.79913)
Length: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2024
Overview: A nearly flat double loop first along the shore of Lake Erie and then around a wetland.
Park Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/east-harbor-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=974178
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming June 13)

Directions to the trailhead: From Port Clinton, take SR 163 east 6.2 miles to SR 269 and turn left on SR 269.  Drive SR 269 north 0.9 miles to the signed park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park and drive to the park's large beach parking area.  This hike begins at the south end of that parking area.

The hike: Perched on the north side of Ohio's famous and scenic Marblehead Peninsula, well-amenitied East Harbor State Park anchors north-central Ohio's fantastic collection of Lake Erie state parks.  The 1831-acre park was established in 1947 to protect wetlands and provide recreation.  The park used to protect a 2-mile beach on Lake Erie, but a storm in 1972 washed away large sections of the beach.  Today constructions have been built to stabilize and protect the parts of the beach that remain, and you will see some of those constructions on this hike.

            East Harbor State Park features the largest developed campground in the Ohio state park system, and this park is often used as a base camp to explore the Marblehead Peninsula and the famous Lake Erie islands, especially Kellys Island and South Bass Island.  In its own right, the park features a marina, fishing, boating, and swimming on Lake Erie, several picnic areas, a disc golf course, and many trails totaling over 10 miles.  This hike consists of 2 loops, both of which start at the park's huge beach parking area.  The first loop explores the narrow spit of land that separates East Harbor from Lake Erie, while the second loop explores the park's wetlands.

Channel Dunes trailhead at beach parking lot

            From the south end of the beach parking lot, pick-up the two-track dirt/gravel trail that heads south with Lake Erie through the trees to your left and the wetlands through the trees to your right.  Park maps call this trail the Channel Dunes Trail.  The outbound portion of the first loop follows this nearly straight two-track road south to the water channel that provides boats access to East Harbor.  Some single track trails exit right that the park map says could be used to form a loop, but those trails quickly became overgrown when I tried to follow a couple of them.  While hiking the road is not particularly scenic, it is very easy: there is no significant elevation change anywhere on this hike.

Boat channel leading to East Harbor

            1 mile into the hike, you reach an open area along the water channel that connects East Harbor with Lake Erie.  Looking right lets you peer into the large harbor, while looking left lets you gaze out toward Lake Erie.  Notice how calm the water is here, and remember that calmness for later in this hike.  The houses across the waterway are on private property, but they still add to the lakeside scenery.

            The channel is also the park's south boundary, so next you need to turn sharply left and begin heading back north.  The path now becomes a single-track dirt trail, and the park map calls this trail the Water's Edge Trail.  Quickly you reach a narrow sandy beach on Lake Erie.  I came here on a chilly and windy day in mid-October, and the Lake Erie water was visibly white-capped and choppy in contrast with the relatively calm harbor channel water.  I saw numerous birds including gulls, mallard ducks, and Canada geese.  I also saw Kellys Island, South Bass Island, and the famous Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at Put-in Bay across the lake.  Despite the weather, this small beach was my favorite part of this hike, so take your time and enjoy the scenery.

South Bass Island across Lake Erie

Lake Erie beach

            To your left you can see a concrete wall start to emerge out of the sand, and pretty soon the lake and wall start to converge, thus forcing you up the wall and off of the beach.  This wall is one of the erosion control constructions I mentioned in the introduction.  The rest of the Water's Edge Trail heads north atop these erosion control constructions.  The densely wooded area features basswood and sycamore trees with a dense understory of honeysuckle that was bearing bright red berries on my visit.  Some spots with picnic tables and benches invite you to sit, rest, and enjoy more lake views near the midpoint of this hike.

Hiking the Water's Edge Trail

            2 miles into the hike, you return to the beach parking area and close the first loop.  Of course you could stop now, but why not take a tour of the wetlands as well?  To start a loop through the wetlands, take the mowed grass trail that heads southwest from the parking lot.  This trail is called the Wetlands Trail, and while it is the tightest trail you have hiked so far, it was easily passable on my visit.  At 2.2 miles, a short boardwalk exits right.  You could cross the boardwalk now, but I chose to continue straight and curve right around the south side of the wetland.

East Harbor

            After another 500 feet, you reach the shore of East Harbor, which sits in front of you.  The South Beach Trail goes left, but that trail was closed on my visit.  Thus, I turned right twice and took a short detour across the boardwalk.  Honestly, this short and old boardwalk is not particularly impressive: tall grasses line either side of the wooden trail surface, and no views across the wetlands emerge.

Boardwalk through wetland

            Return to the west side of the boardwalk, then head north to continue the Wetlands Trail.  The wide mowed-grass trail goes up the west side of the wetland, allowing you views both across the wetland to the right and across East Harbor to the left.  At 2.7 miles, you reach a cul-de-sac at the end of a gravel road.  Another short loop exits left, but it passes more of the same scenery.  Thus, I angled right to walk the gravel road back to the parking lot.  A long walk through the large beach parking lot completed my hike.

Van Buren State Park: Lakeshore Trail (Blog Hike #1031)

Trail: Lakeshore Trail
Hike Location: Van Buren State Park
Geographic Location: north of Findlay, OH (41.13213, -83.63169)
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2024
Overview: A loop around the west section of Van Buren Lake.
Park Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/van-buren-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=973991
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 25)

Directions to the trailhead: In northwest Ohio, take I-75 to SR 613 (exit 164).  Exit and go east on SR 613.  Drive SR 613 east through the village of Van Buren, then turn right on Township Road (TR) 218.  Drive TR 218 east 0.8 miles to TR 229 and turn right on TR 229.  The signed park entrance is 0.4 miles ahead on the right just after crossing a bridge over Van Buren Lake.  Park in the paved parking lot near the picnic shelter.

The hike: Consisting of 296 acres in northwest Ohio between Toledo and Findlay, Van Buren State Park sits on what was once a private wildlife preserve.  The preserve was established in 1939 when a dam was built on Rocky Ford Creek to enhance the land's wildlife appeal.  The lake created by that dam is presently known as Van Buren Lake, and the land was transferred to the State of Ohio to form the state park in 1950.  The lake, park, and nearby village are named for Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States, even though he has no obvious personal connection to this area.

            Despite its small size, Van Buren State Park offers many of the expected state park amenities.  On point, the park offers a 50-site developed campground, the usual aquatic recreation on Van Buren Lake, several picnic areas, a disc golf course, 4 bridle trails, and 4 hiker-only trails totaling 7 miles.  This hike describes the Lakeshore Trail, which many experts regard as this park's best trail.  The Lakeshore Trail forms a loop around the lake's western section, and it combines nice lake views with nice woods to create a nice loop.

Picnic area trailhead

            No less than 5 trails start at this parking lot, and each trail is marked with a different color of paint blazes.  The Lakeshore Trail is marked with orange blazes as opposed to beige, blue, green, or white blazes, and the first orange blaze can be found on a wooden information kiosk located behind the restroom building.  The trail briefly heads into the woods before intersecting the group campground service road.  Turn right to head west on the two-track gravel road.

Leaving the gravel road

            At 0.2 miles, the Lakeshore Trail leaves the service road; a sign stating "Scarlet Hawk Nature Trail" marks this junction.  Turn right to continue the Lakeshore Trail.  In fact the green, blue, white, and orange trails all head west to the lake's dam area, so you could use any of those trails for this part of the hike.  True to its name, the Lakeshore Trail stays closest to Van Buren Lake, and therefore it offers the most scenic route.

Bridges over ravines

            The single track dirt trail has numerous short but steep ups and downs as it passes through many shallow but steep ravines.  Most of these ravines are crossed without the aid of bridges, but the last couple of ravines feature some nice wooden bridges to help you cross.  The forest is a mature mixed broadleaf forest that features maple, oak, and black walnut trees.

Fording Rocky Ford Creek

            Near 1 mile into the hike, you reach the dam that forms Van Buren Lake.  Angle right to head out the earthen part of the dam, then descend the west/downstream side of the dam to reach Rocky Ford Creek.  There is no bridge over Rocky Ford Creek, so you will have to ford the creek to continue this hike.  The rocks in the creek bed are slippery, and I would not attempt this ford if the water was more than knee-deep or had significant current.  The creek had only a few inches of water when I hiked here in early October, which is the driest time of year.  Do not attempt to cross using the railroad bridge you can see above you: it is an active rail line, and walking on the railroad tracks is both illegal and dangerous.

Dam area view from parking lot

            After fording the creek, climb steeply to reach the disc golf and picnic area parking lot at 1.1 miles.  This parking lot offers the best view of the dam area, and I did some good wildlife viewing here that included a heron and a flock of Canada geese.  To continue, turn right and walk east through the mowed-grass picnic area, then angle left to continue walking east on the main park road.  For the next 0.5 miles the trail goes on and off the park road; watch for the orange blazes to stay on track.

Hiking along the lake

            At 1.8 miles, the trail turns right to leave the road for the final time; a sign that says "Haiku Trail" marks this turn.  As the sign foreshadows, signs bearing haiku poems enliven this section of trail.  The trail heads back to the lakeshore, where it stays for the duration.  Some turtles plopped into the water as I approached, and the lake views remain excellent.  2 miles into the hike, you come out at a parking lot on TR 229.  Turn right and use the road bridge to cross the lake and return to the picnic shelter parking lot, thus closing the loop and finishing the hike.

General Burnside Island State Park: Point Isabel Trail (Blog Hike #1030)

Trail: Point Isabel Trail
Hike Location: General Burnside Island State Park
Geographic Location: south of Somerset, KY (36.97541, -84.59766)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2024
Overview: An out-and-back to a fantastic overlook of the Cumberland River.
Park Information: https://parks.ky.gov/explore/general-burnside-island-state-park-7812
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=972909
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 21, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Somerset, take US 27 south 9.5 miles to the signed park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and park on the right side of the large blacktop parking lot for boat trailers.  This parking lot is located just before reaching the ranger station and old swimming pool.

The hike: Located deep in the hills of south-central Kentucky, cozy General Burnside Island State Park protects 430 acres on an island where the Cumberland River receives its Big South Fork.  The island was created with the construction of Wolf Creek Dam and Lake Cumberland in 1939, and the park was formed in 1958.  The park is named for General Ambrose E. Burnside, a Union Civil War general.  Although Burnside is most famously connected with the Burnside Bridge at Antietam, he later commanded Union troops in the Civil War's western theater including here and in eastern Tennessee.

            Today the park is best known for its golf course, which consistently ranks as one of the best public courses in Kentucky.  The park also features a 94-site developed campground, a marina on Lake Cumberland, and several picnic areas.  For hikers, General Burnside Island State Park offers only 1 trail, but it is a good out-and-back trail that leads along a hillside past Burnside's historic defenses to a fantastic river overlook.  Such is the hike described here.

Picnic area trailhead

            From the parking lot, your first task is to find the trailhead.  Walk inbound (south) on the main park road out of the parking lot, then turn right on a gated paved picnic area road.  The trailhead is on the right in a couple hundred feet; a brown carsonite post and a sign stating trail regulations mark this trailhead.

Hiking the Point Isabel Trail

            The single-track dirt trail climbs steeply but only for a short distance.  The mixed pine and broadleaf forest features a dense understory of honeysuckle.  The trail stays in a fairly narrow swath of forest with the developed area of the park uphill to the left and a cliff through the trees to the right.  After passing through a power line corridor, ignore a signed spur trail that exits left.

Old stone wall

            At 0.6 miles, the trail starts paralleling a stone wall on the right.  Interpretive signs tell you that General Burnside stationed his troops in this area, probably using the steep hill that falls to the right as a natural defense.  After a short climb and shorter rocky area, you come out at the campground road.  As directed by a sign, angle right to begin walking along the road and continue heading for Point Isabel.

Entering the campground

            When you get to campsite #27, the trail exits the road to the right.  Again, a nice wooden sign marks this turn.  Turn right and top a final rocky section to reach the Point Isabel overlook.  Legend says that this overlook is named for a girl named Isabel who did a "lover's leap" to her death here, but details of her or her circumstances are sketchy.

Point Isabel overlook

            Point Isabel offers a fantastic northward view from more than 100 feet above the Cumberland River, which looks more like a lake than a river at this point.  You can also see the SR 90 river bridge in the distance.  The trail ends here, so the only option is to retrace your steps to the trailhead and parking lot to complete the hike.

Tippecanoe River State Park: Trails #4, #5, and #3 (Blog Hike #1029)

Trails: Trails #4, #5, and #3
Hike Location: Tippecanoe River State Park
Geographic Location: north of Winamac, IN (41.11547, -86.57486)
Length: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2024
Overview: A nearly flat loop partially along the Tippecanoe River.
Park Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/tippecanoe-river-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=972834
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 11)

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of US 35 and SR 14 in Winamac, take US 35 north 4.25 miles to the signed state park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and drive the main park road to the large gravel Riverside Picnic Area and Nature Center parking lot, where this hike begins.

The hike: Draining 1.25 million acres across 14 counties, the Tippecanoe River is one of the largest rivers in northern Indiana.  The river forms northwest of Fort Wayne as it draws water from multiple kettle lakes, and it flows west/southwest for 182 slow and winding miles before emptying into the Wabash River near Lafayette.  The river's name comes from the Miami/Illinois words for "buffalo fish," a testament to this river's abundance of aquatic life.

            Tippecanoe River State Park sits on the river's west bank near the midpoint of its course, and it protects 7 miles of its namesake river.  The park was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a Recreational Demonstration Area, a depression-era program that bought-up old farmland that had low farming potential but high recreation potential.  The park was transferred to the State of Indiana, and it became a state park in 1943.

            Today the park retains its rustic and remote feel.  The river is popular for canoeing but too dangerous for swimming.  The park offers a 112-site developed campground, a nature center located on the river, 13 miles of bridle trails, and 10 hiking trails totaling 10 miles.  This hike combines 3 trails to form a loop that stays close to the river and features the oxbow lakes, wetlands, and forests that still give this land high recreation potential today.

Trailhead at picnic area

            Pick up Trail #4 as it leaves the rear of the parking area, passes through a mowed-grass picnic area, and crosses a wooden bridge with stone supports.  The single-track dirt trail winds incessantly through dense brushy forest with large black walnut trees as it heads in the general direction of north.  At 0.3 miles, you reach an oxbow lake, or an old river channel that has been cut off from the river's main flow to form a lake.  I saw a heron perched in the lake's shallow waters on the damp morning I hiked here, and the oxbow lake is a very scenic spot.

Oxbow lake

            At 0.6 miles, the Tippecanoe River comes into view on the right for the first of only 2 times on this hike.  For a park named after the river, the trail system does not offer frequent or extended river views, a fact I found rather disappointing.  Next the trail curves left to head away from the river, climbing but only slightly.  The difference between maximum and minimum elevations on this hike is less than 20 feet, and this hike may be the flattest hike with significant distance in Indiana.

Major trail intersection

            Just past 1 mile, you reach a major trail intersection with a bench.  Trail #4 goes left here, and a connector trail goes straight.  You could use either of those options to shorten this hike, but our hike turns right to begin heading northbound on Trail #5.  The next part of the hike goes through a pine planting that may date to this park's WPA days.  Thus, the going is easy, quiet, and scenic.

Hiking through a pine planting

            Ignore a short-cut trail that exits left and stay with Trail #5 as it forms a short loop.  Pass the other end of the short-cut trail, and reach this hike's best Tippecanoe River view at 2.25 miles.  The winding river is wide and slow here, as it is for most of its distance.  The river view may not be as wide as you would like, but the riparian scenery is still very pleasant.

Tippecanoe River

            2.4 miles into the hike, you reach another trail intersection.  Trail #5 turns right here to head for the northern part of the park, but you want to turn left to head south toward Trail #3.  The next 0.9 miles head almost due south in an almost straight line.  First you join Trail #3, then you cross Trail #5, then you leave Trail #3 and join Trail #4.  While not the most interesting hiking, the terrain remains flat and the going remains easy.

Hiking near the campground

            At 3.25 miles, the trail curves left as you begin tracing the perimeter of the main campground, which comes into view on the left.  3.6 miles into the hike, you reach the park road that leads to the trailhead parking area.  Turning left and doing a 0.2 mile road walk returns you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

Potato Creek State Park: Trails #1 and #2 (Blog Hike #1028)

Trails: #1 and #2
Hike Location: Potato Creek State Park
Geographic Location: southwest of South Bend, IN (41.55547, -86.35683)
Length: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2024
Overview: A loop hike along Lake Worster and over 2 low hills.
Park Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/potato-creek-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=972710
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming June 27)

Directions to the trailhead: From South Bend, take US 31 south to SR 4 (exit 239).  Exit and go west on SR 4.  Drive SR 4 west 5.7 miles to the state park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the park entrance fee, and drive the main park road all the way to its end at the Nature Center on the north side of the lake.  Park in the parking lot in front of the Nature Center.

The hike: Consisting of 3830 acres of reverting farmland, Potato Creek State Park owes its existence to one Mr. Darcy Worster.  Worster's efforts to dam Potato Creek and establish a recreation area began in the late 1930's, and he often sent hand-crafted folk art "insects" to state legislators to "bug" them about the project.  In time, the park swarmed to life.  The lake was built in 1977 and named after Worster, and the site became a state park in 1983.  The creek and park are named for the "Wild Potatoes," which was the English settlers' name for the native people who lived here when they arrived.

            While this park does not have a long and rich history as parkland, it does have some first-rate amenities.  The park offers a 287-site developed campground, a horsemen's camp with 3 bridle trails, 7 picnic shelters, some cabins, and the usual aquatic recreation on 327-acre Worster Lake.  For hikers, the park offers 8 trails totaling over 10 miles.  This hike combines 2 of the park's longest trails to form a loop through the northeast quadrant of the park.  This loop passes both lakeside and hilltop areas, and thus it offers a nice sample of all of the scenery this park has to offer.

Trailhead at Nature Center

            From the front of the Nature Center, look for the wooden sign that says "To Trails," and follow the arrow to enter the woods.  The narrow trail descends and quickly reaches the shore of Worster Lake.  Turn left to begin heading counterclockwise around Trail #1.

            Several old roads run in a north-south orientation through this part of the park, and the trail joins the first of those old roads at 0.2 miles.  After heading north and slightly uphill for 0.2 miles, the trail curves right to leave the old road.  Numbered yellow trail markers mark this park's trail, and they help you at points like this one.  Near 0.5 miles, you reach this hike's best view of Worster Lake.  The lake was calm and serene with no wildlife visible when I came here on a dreary morning in late September.

Lake Worster

            Past the lake overlook, I saw 3 deer before I reached a trail intersection at 0.7 miles.  Trail #1 continues straight, and you could go that way if you wanted to shorten this hike.  Despite the fact that rain was approaching from the west, I turned right to begin Trail #2.

Yellow trail marker at start of Trail #2

            The first part of Trail #2 passes through a lowland forest that features a large number of black walnut trees.  Wooden bridges take you over the wettest areas, and I saw many common woodland birds on this part of the hike.  1.4 miles into the hike, you intersect another old road.  Going right on this old road leads to Trail #4 and the southern part of the park, but Trail #2 turns left to begin heading north on the old road.

Hiking Trail #2

            After 0.2 miles of gradual climbing, Trail #2 turns right to leave the old road; look for the yellow trail markers to be sure you do not miss this turn.  The next mile contains the vast majority of this hike's elevation change as the trail passes over 2 low but steep hills.  Some wetlands are also passed, and this section is the most interesting part of this hike.

Stairs climbing Steam Boat Hill

            2 miles into the hike, you reach the top of the wooden stairs that climb Steam Boat Hill.  Some large beech trees live here, but dense woods preclude any views.  A steep descent into a saddle is followed by a steep climb to the top of Vargo Hill, which at 885 feet of elevation is the highest point in this park.  A wooden observation platform is located here, but again the only view is through dense woods.  Some benches encourage you to sit and rest having completed the hardest part of this hike.

Vargo Hill observation platform

            A moderate winding downhill section brings you to the end of Trail #2 at 2.6 miles.  Angle right to continue counterclockwise around Trail #1, which embarks on a meandering and gently rolling course.  Several mountain bike trails cross the hiking trail, but you want to follow the yellow markers for Trail #1.

Hiking Trail #1

            3 miles into the hike, you cross the road that leads to the park manager's house.  At 3.2 miles, angle left where the trail to the park's campground goes right.  The balance of the hike heads south through dense brushy woods, and a moderate rain began to pelt me when I hiked here.  The trail exits the woods near a playground, and angling left across the mowed grassy area returns you to the Nature Center to complete the hike.