Hiking Indiana by Phil Bloom

Author:Phil Bloom
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781461745747
Publisher: Falcon Guides

Begin the hike on the south side of the parking lot near a registration box. The trail splits a wide buffer zone between a farm field to the right (west) and the gravel road to the left (east) before reaching a wooden trail post. Turn left (southeast), hike in a short clockwise sweep, and come to a wooden bridge at 0.1 mile. After going over the bridge, turn left (south); cross a utility corridor, reenter the woods, and continue straight (southeast).

At 0.3 mile reach a bluff that provides a dramatic view from 100 feet above Big Walnut Creek. Pause for a moment to soak up the scenery before continuing the hike as the trail curves right (southwest) before coming to a trail juncture with the inbound loop. Go straight (southwest) and come to a sign marking the entrance to Big Walnut Natural Area.

The 120-acre area was preserved for years by Eileen and Ralph Hultz (the log cabin where he was born in 1837 is still on the property) and later given in perpetuity to The Nature Conservancy by Jane H. and William L. Fortune on their 55th wedding anniversary.

Turn left (southeast) and descend to the point of a ridge leading to an overlook of Big Walnut Creek. Turn right (southwest) and continue downhill into a valley seemingly boxed in by bluffs on all sides. Cross a footbridge and two short boardwalks to reach a trail juncture at 0.7 mile. Turn left (southeast) for a short out-and-back spur trail to Big Walnut Creek.

After returning to the trail juncture, go straight (northwest) to a shallow creek whose branches must be crossed three times in the next 0.25 mile. Pick your way across this first creek crossing and turn right (northwest) before bending to the southwest and the second crossing. Descend a staircase at 1.1 miles; cross the creek one last time and climb the forty-five-step wooden staircase on the other side to return to high ground.

Back on the ridgetops, turn left (north) and continue back to the trail juncture with the outbound loop. Turn left (north) and return to the parking lot.

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