Backyard Adventures

6D PIKE PUBLISHING BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2017 From hiking and walking trails to baseball and a variety of collegiate athletics, even ice hockey— you can find it all in Southern Indiana� Here's just a sampling of the Tri-State's sports' offerings� NEED FOR SPEED Haubstadt, Chandler, French Lick Fill your need for something a little faster at one of the several racing tracks in the Tri-State area. There's the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt at 10149 U.S.41. Phone: 812-768 -5995. Chandler Motor Speedway is located at 999 Inderrie- den Rd, Chandler. Phone:(812) 925 - 6287. The French Lick/West Baden Indoor Karting track located at 8331 IN-56 #5 in West Baden Springs. Phone: 812- 936 -5390 BOSSE FIELD Evansville, Vanderburgh County It's an experience to take in a game at the historic Bosse Field in Evansville. Built in 1915, it's the third oldest ballpark used for professional baseball on a regular basis in the country, surpassed only by Fenway Park (1912) in Boston and Wrigley Field (1914) in Chicago. The Evansville Otters, a minor league baseball team, calls the field home in the summer while the nearby Bosse High School's baseball team also plays there. The historic stadium was used by Co- lumbia Pictures for game scenes in the movie A League of Their Own, which premiered on the big screen 20 years ago in 1992. To watch the Otters, contact them at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville. Phone: 812-435 -8686. HUNTINGBURG LEAGUE STADIUM Dubois County This historical stadium, built in 1894 and renovated in the early 1990s, served as home field for the Rockford Peaches in the film, A League of Their Own. It also served as a backdrop for the HBO movie, South of the Game. Today, it's home to the Dubois County Bombers, the 2015 Ohio Valley League champi- ons. The Bombers play in vintage- inspired uniforms, down to their knickered pants — and even use wooden bats. Their season starts June 2 with a home game against Madisonville. The stadium is located at 203 S. Cherry Street in Hunting- burg. For tickets: (812) 683-3700. GIL HODGES MURAL Downtown Petersburg, Pike County Gilbert Ray Hodges was an Ameri- can Major League baseball first baseman and manager. He spent most of his 18 -year career (1947- 1963) with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a four-star athlete in Petersburg. The mural is located at the corner of State Road 57 and 61 in Petersburg. INDIANA BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Jasper, Dubois County This museum showcases memo- rabilia from high school, collegiate and professional athletes that called the Hoosier state home. Bats, gloves, jerseys, gloves and plaques important to Indiana baseball history are on display. It's located on the Vincennes University- Jasper Campus at 850 College Ave. in Jasper. Phone: (812) 482-2262. REH CENTER Owensville, Gibson County Enjoy a walk through history as you tour the REH Center in Owens- ville. Built in the 1950s and part gym and part museum, this unique, in- ground facility boasts memorabilia from the many classes of Owensville High School and even the first glass backboard in a Indiana gym, circa 1920. It's located at the intersection of S. State Road 65 and 168. Visits and even rentals can be arranged through the Owensville Carnegie Public Library at (812) 724-3335. COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Evansville, Vincennes University of Evansville, Universi- ty of Southern Indiana, Oakland City University and Vincennes Univer- sity—The Tri-State's four universi- ties offer a full-range of collegiate athletic teams from basketball to baseball to soccer. EVANSVILLE ENFORCERS Evansville, Vanderburgh County Evansville is home to a Semi- Pro football team, the Evansville Enforcers of the Minor League Football Association. With new head coach Anthony Tate at the helm for the 2016 season, the Enforcers are hoping to build on their successful 2015 campaign. The first game of the season is May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Woehrle Athletic Complex located in Jeffersonville against the Kentuck- ian Cavalry — and they have eight games scheduled. For more info, check their Facebook page. ROLLER DERBY Evansville, Vanderburgh County Evansville is home to the Demoli- tion City Roller Derby team, a Wom- en's Flat Track Derby Association ( WF TDA) member. Demolition City calls Veteran's Memorial Coliseum at 300 Court St. in Evansville their home track and their next battle is April 30. A season Pass is $50 (includes swag, t-shirt, and custom- ized season pass on lanyard.) Adult general admission is $10. Students over 12 with ID are $7 (including college students) and Children 12 and under free. ICE HOCKEY Evansville, Vanderburgh County With the exit of the Icemen to Ow- ensboro, Kentucky, the Evansville Thunderbolts will take to the rink at the Ford Center there. Members of the Southern Profes- sional Hockey League, the Thunder- bolts will sport red, white and blue uniforms and are named after the Republic P-47 fighter-bombers built in Evansville and used in World War II. The Ford Center is located at 1 S.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Evansville. For a schedule and tickets, call: 812-422-1515 KICKS biking. The shaded trail through offers scenic overlooks of Tipsaw Lake and the valley. There are three trailheads for this trail, one of which is within the recreation area and close to water and toilet facilities. This is the also the only trailhead that requires a parking fee. The other trailheads are free to park and use the trail. A trail permit is required for mountain bikers. The trail is nearly all single-track so mountain bikes yield to hikers. It is mostly flat, a few moderate climbs with some rocky sections. GERMAN RIDGE – MULTIPLE USE 24 miles – Difficult-Easy The German Ridge Recreation Area includes a campground, a short hiking trail around a scenic lake, a day-use area for swimming and picnicking, and several historic buildings. It was established during the Civilian Conservation Corps days. Area includes a 20 -unit primitive campground. Tell City is the nearest hospital. HEMLOCK CLIFFS TRAIL - HIKING 1.2-2 miles – 45 minutes-2 hours – Intermedi- ate Hemlock Cliffs is a valley of special beauty in Southern Indiana. It has a cool climate created by the box canyon shape and sandstone rock forma- tions. Seasonal waterfalls are responsible for the unique trees and plants that grow here. LICK CREEK TRAIL - MULTIPLE USE 7.5 miles – 2.5-4 hours – Difficult, Intermediate Trail contains scenic hardwood and beautiful vistas that passes through an early 19th century free A frican American settlement. A family cemetery and the traces of home sites remain. Parking is available at the trailhead and limited parking at the gate on Grease Gravy Road. No camping at the trailhead. However, camping is permitted in back-country. Nearest public phone is in Pine Valley. Nearest hospital is in Paoli. Mogan Ridge East Trail – Hiking 6.6 miles – 2-3 hours – Intermediate Mogan Ridge West Trail – Multiple Use 12.3 miles – 4.5 -5.5 hours – Difficult, Interme- diate Scenic hardwood forests and beautiful vistas. Parking is available, there are no other facilities. Nearest public phone is in Gatchel, at the Gen- eral Store. Nearest hospital is in Tell City. Oriole East Trail – Multiple Use 8.8 miles – 3-4 hours – Difficult, Intermediate Scenic hardwood forest. Nearest public phone is in Sulphur. Nearest hospital is in Tell City. ORIOLE WEST TRAIL – MULTIPLE USE 7.2 miles – 2.5-3.5 hours – Difficult, Intermediate Scenic hardwood forest. Nearest public phone is in Sulphur. Nearest hospital is in Tell City. Saddle Lake Trail - Hiking 2.2 miles – 0.5 -1 hour – Intermediate, Easy Scenic views of Saddle Lake. Parking is avail- able. A primitive campground is located nearby. A boat launching ramp and fishing lake also add to the trail's attractions. Nearest public phone is located at Gatchel. Nearest hospital is in Tell City. SHIRLEY CREEK TRAIL - MULTIPLE USE 19.5 miles – 8-9 hours – Difficult, Intermediate Shady trails with scenic views, interesting rock formations and a variety of terrain. A primitive campground with pit toilets, hitching racks, and water is available for livestock. The campground is designed for horse camping; however, any Na- tional Forest visitor is welcome to camp. There is no use fee at this site. Do not bring firewood into forest picnic areas or campgrounds! Firewood could transport emerald ash borer. Only local firewood should be used. Nearest public phone is in Orleans. Nearest hospital is in Paoli. YOUNG'S CREEK – MULTIPLE USE 10.5 miles – 4-5 hours Young's Creek Trail offers hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. This shady trail traverses a variety of terrain in scenic hardwood forests. A primitive campground, hitching racks and a picnic shelter are located at the north end of the trail. One day use parking lot is located on County Road 550 South. Day use parking is also available free at the campground. Nearest town is Paoli. SPRING MILL STATE PARK 3333 State Road 60 East, Mitchell, IN 47446 Phone: 812-849-3534 Spring Mill State Park offers several hiking trails and a mountain bike trail. Mountain bikes can be rented at the bike rental. Bicycles permitted only on paved roadways. Skateboarding and inline skating are prohibited. Twin Caves are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours run on the half-hour; no advance registra- tions are accepted. No children under 3 years of age are allowed on the tour. Pioneer Village is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May through October. HIKING TRAILS Moderate – 0.375 mile: Short loop from inn along Donaldson branch and lake. Moderate – 0.5 mile: Connects village parking area to picnic area and Nature Center. Rugged – 2.5 miles: Long loop trail. Enter near the Donaldson parking lot. Passes Donaldson Cave overlook, then through dense woods, past sinkholes, then Bronson Cave, on to Twin Caves. Rugged – 2 miles: Loop trail may be entered from Trail 4 at picnic area or junction of 1 and 4 near inn. Goes by Donaldson Cave and Hamer Cemetery. Moderate – 1 mile: Loops around lake. Follows lower section of lake from bridge, then around to boat docks. Accessible – 0.25 mile: Paved trail. Loops around Virgil I. Grissom Memorial. Easy – 1.75 miles: Loops through and around Oak Ridge picnic area. Ties into Trail 4 between Hamer Cemetery and village. Stagecoach Trail – 0.5 mile: Rugged. Follows old road-bed from village . O'BANNON WOODS STATE PARK 7240 Old Forest Road SW, Corydon, IN 47112 Phone: 812-738-7694 Indiana's newest 3,000 -acre state park is in the middle of the Harrison-Crawford State Forest. Hikers and horseback riders are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season. The horse trail system includes 80 miles of marked loop trails. All horses brought, driven or ridden onto Harrison-Crawford State Forest must have a valid annual horse use tag. Hiking Trails: Adv enture Hiking Trail – 27 miles, backpack: Overnight camping permitted; trail shelters available. Rugged – 1 mile: Post Oak-Cedar Trail. Rugged – 1.7 miles: Cliff Dweller Trail. Moderate – 1 mile: Sleepy Hollow Trail. MARTIN STATE FOREST 14040 Williams Rd., Shoals, IN 47581 Phone: 812-247-3491 Martin State Forest was established in 1932 with the purchase of 1,205 acres. A fire tower and a small picnic area were soon built. The property has grown to 7,863 acres through additional land purchases and trades with the U.S. Forest Service. The Hoosier Woodland Arboretum is located adjacent to the state forest office, and is open year-round without charge. Martin State Forest offers 7 miles of mountain bike trails. Mountain bikes are only permitted on those designated trails. HIKING TRAILS Woodland Education Trail– Easy – 1.25 miles: Hiking this trail will allow hikers an opportunity to better understand the philosophy of multiple- use management of Indiana's state forests. Tank Spring Trail – Moderate – 3 miles: The trail was initially established in 1979 and led directly to Tank Spring. In 1980 -81, a second section of trail was constructed which began at the Spring and followed a different route back. Arboretum Trail – Easy – 0.25 mile: A short loop. It also connects to the Martin Lake Trail and has a 0.1 mile wheelchair accessible loop. Martin Lake Trail – Easy – 0.25 mile: A short walk around Martin Lake. Hardwood Lake Trail – Easy – 0.35 mile: A short hike around Hardwood Lake. Cookshack Trail – Moderate – 0.5 mile: Starts behind the Cookshack Shelter and heads east; then drops downhill and follows the contour around to the north before dropping downhill almost to the creek. Just for

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