Backyard Adventures

BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2015 Pike Publishing 33 STORY BY FRAN PETIT PHOTOS BY FRAN PETIT AND ERIC GOGEL hemlock Cliffs and other good hikes: Southern Indiana offers endless outdoor recreation and some beautiful hiking trails through the Hoosier National Forest that spans nine counties. The Southern Indiana area also boasts four state parks: Harmonie, Spring Mill, Lincoln and O'Bannon; three state forests: Pike, Ferdinand and Martin and one large lake—Patoka. The Hoosier National Forest is managed by the United States Forest Service. Consist- ing of four separate sections, it has a total area of 202,814 acres. It is headquartered in Bedford, with a regional office in Tell City. Located in the Hoosier National Forest is a great winter hiking spot called Hemlock Cliffs. Hemlock Cliffs Recreation Area, in Crawford County, contains one of the most scenic hiking trails in Indiana. Purchased in 1963 by the USDA Forest Service, Hemlock Cliffs is a popular destina- tion for people seeking tranquility and a chance for reflection. Archaeological excavations indicate that Native Americans were in the area 10,000 years ago. The head of the canyon is a large, semi-circular rock shelter that provided cover and defense to the early residents. Lush vegetation is found along the cliffs, waterfalls and canyon floor. Hemlock, a tall evergreen with short needles and small cones, thrives in the canyon's cool climate. Wintergreen, a protected plant, is also found here. While common in northern forests, this is only one of three populations of wintergreen left in Indiana. Wild geranium, French's shooting star, mountain laurel and liverwort are some of the other plants found here. A hiking trail leads down into the canyon under a lush canopy of large trees, through rock shelters and past high seasonal water- falls. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery when wet, so use caution. It could take two leisurely hours to complete the loop, as the main trail has several side-paths. Limestone cliffs escalate more than 200 feet directly above the canyon. The rock wall is impressive at 300 feet across and 25 feet deep. Two waterfalls, Messmore Cliffs Falls and Hemlock Cliffs Falls, are located at each end of the canyon. The loop trail begins at Hemlock Cliffs park- ing area. Hikers can go either way on this loop trail, marked with a white diamond. From the parking lot, follow the trailhead right and you will come to a fork. The spur to the right goes to the top of Hem- lock Cliffs Falls leading to the top where a nice campsite overlooks the loop trail. Directly above and behind the falls is a large campsite area that can hold up to five tents. Camping is permitted 300 feet from the trail. Continuing left down a set of limestone stairs leads to a beautiful view of the falls and rock overhang. Several spur trails lead down to the base of the falls and plunging pool. Directly across from the falls is another canyon path where the creek merges with Hemlock Cliffs Creek. Following this path leads to a small cave. Hemlock Canyon Trail joins with Mess- more Cliffs Trail at the high cliff warning sign. The right path leads below the 70 -foot water fall. The falls can be disappointing during dry weather. This hike is spectacular during winter months as the waterfalls, and flowing areas through the limestone, are frozen, creating a winter wonderland. Mountain laurel, numerous varieties of fern, evergreen, hemlock and wild flower are thriving in this cool moist environment. Common to the area are frogs, deer, squir- rel, mice and a variety of birds. Hoosier National Forest was first touched by humans 12,000 years ago, when Native Americans hunted in the forest. European settlers came to the forest in the late 1600s and began building villages. Lumbering began in the early 1800s. By 1910, most of the area had been cut. In the early 1930s, the governor of Indiana pushed for the federal government to do something with the eroding lands as people where mov- ing. The act was accomplished in 1935. The Hoosier National Forest has many notable areas of interest. Lick Creek Settle- ment Site is an area settled by free African- Americans who were led by Quaker Jona- than Lindley, beginning in 1819. This area is located in eastern Orange County. Much of Hoosier National Forest is over karst, responsible for the many caves in southern Indiana. Karst is a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone, dolomite and gypsum. It is characterized by sinkholes in the area. Included in Hoosier National Forest is the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area, the only recognized wilderness area left in Indiana. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the area. Mules and horses are used to maintain hiking trails. The Clover Lick Barrens, located in the southern portion of Hoosier National Forest, near the Ohio River, contains vegetation more typical of prairies. It is believed that the inability of tall oaks to grow in the area allows for this prairie vegetation to persist in such an unlikely location. Located near Tell City, the 23-mile Ger- man Ridge Trail is a multiple-use loop trail that winds through many tall pines stands. Hiking, horseback riding and mountain bik- ing are all allowed on this trail, which offers views of sandstone rock outcrops, bluffs, rolling hills of hardwood forests and the Ohio River. There are several great hiking and rec- reation areas in Perry County. Indian and Celina Lakes are two of four fishing lakes along Highway 37. The lakes offer many miles of shoreline and coves for fishing. Boat ramps are open year-round, and a fishing pier is available on Celina Lake. Anglers can expect a variety of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The sandstone block Rickenbaugh House, built in 1874 and located in this area, is open to visitors periodically throughout the year, but the outside areas are open all year. A variety of hiking and biking trails exist within the area, including the easy, 1-mile Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail, located be- hind the historic home. The Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail encircles both Indian and Celina lakes and winds through many acres of natural and peaceful forests. The trail is 16 miles, but contains multiple cut-offs for shorter day hikes. The Hoosier National Forest trail system has nearly 266 miles of hiking, horseback riding and mountain bike trails. Hikers are to yield to horses, and mountain bikers are to yield to horses and hikers. Another nationally-funded area, the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area, was established in 1994. Bordering Pike and Gibson counties, it cur- rently encompasses 6,600 acres and is soon expected to grow to 22,472 acres of wetlands and forest along 30 miles of the Patoka River. Six walking trails, all less than 1-mile, including Otter Run and South Fork, provide visitors with pristine views, along with some great bird watching. The refuge was established to provide a habitat for migratory birds and to protect and manage the river corridor of bottomland hardwood wetlands. The area is growing in popularity and has been designated as Im- portant Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society because of large nesting populations of prothonotary warblers and interior least terns. Southern Indiana's state recreation areas also have some world-class hiking and out- door opportunities. The Pike State Forest, located just outside Winslow, was placed under the management of Ferdinand State Forest in July 1997. The Pike State Forest consists of 4,444 acres in southwestern Indiana. Several recreational opportunities are available at Pike State H I T T H E T R A I L IN THE WALK WOODS CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 Buzzard Roost Trail is an 0.8 mile hiking trail that begins on the bluff overlooking the Ohio River and descends to the river adjacent a creek. There are several sandstone rock outcrops, and the trail winds past bluffs, hardwood forests, waterfalls, and views of the Ohio River and Kentucky. Hemlock Cliffs offer a spectacular winter hike. The hike can be disappointing in the summer and dry months.

• Cover