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There's lots to see and do on this historic trail.


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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.2

KM

Loop

670' 204 m

High

507' 154 m

Low

229' 70 m

Up

226' 69 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trails in the park our open during regular park hours year-round. There is a fee to enter this park.

Description

Trail 4 can be accessed from a few spots throughout the park. For our hike we took Trail 1 from behind the Spring Mill Inn to reach Trail 4. You can also access the trail from the parking area near the Pioneer Village.

The trail takes you to many historical elements of the park. The Pioneer Village is a historical recreation of what life was like in this area in the 1800's. Log cabins and the working grist mill our manned by interpreters are open for you to explore. Upon approaching the Pioneer Village, you'll have two choices to continue your hike. One portion of the trail will take you thorough the village, and the other way takes you around the village. NO DOGS are allowed in the village, so plan accordingly.

Just past the Pioneer Village, you'll pass Hamer Cave and eventually come across the Hamer Pioneer Cemetery. The path follows the back side of the cemetery along the fence. You'll need to work your way around to the front to access the cemetery if you wish to explore there. Be on the look out for grave markers identifying servicemen who fought and died for our country.

After the cemetery, you'll cross through a parking and picnic area and descend a long series of wooden steps taking you down to the creek. From here you can turn right for a very short spurt to Donaldson Cave. Turning left at the bottom of the steps completes the loop and takes you past the Wilson Monument honoring Andrew Wilson an early American ornithologist. The monument was erected in 1866 by George Donaldson, the former land owner.

You'll come across many hills and valleys and will be met with many rock formations that you'll need to work around on this trail. The park map calls this trail "rugged" and it lives up to it's classification.

Flora & Fauna

Donaldson Woods is home to native trees that can be dated back 300 years. White-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and wild turkey have been spotted near this trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: Indiana State Parks

Shared By:

Chris Pollock

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  5.0 from 3 votes

#1019

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  5.0 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#9

in Indiana

#1,019

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486 Since Oct 17, 2017
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Photos

View of Hamer Cave and the pool of cave water
Jul 6, 2019 near Mitchell, IN
Steps leading up from the Donaldson Cave area
Oct 17, 2017 near Mitchell, IN
Hamer Cemetery
Oct 17, 2017 near Mitchell, IN
Trail 4 above the Pioneer Village.
Oct 17, 2017 near Mitchell, IN

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Check-Ins

Jan 1, 2020
Kevin Jones
Apr 2, 2019
Jerry Holtgren
Dec 8, 2018
Bonnie Kernan
was very cold went past Wilson memorial hammer cemetery and Donaldson cave 2mi
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