Hiking Project Logo

A little something for everyone.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.3

KM

Lollipop

771' 235 m

High

732' 223 m

Low

97' 30 m

Up

97' 30 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

5%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Family Friendly Relatively flat. Interesting views along the water. Waterfall. Distance isn't too long.

Open dawn to dusk. Pets on a leash. No fires, bikes, horses, motorized vehicles, hunting, camping or fishing. Open year round.

Overview

The first part of this route offers some great views of the Ross Run gorge, complete with a couple of waterfalls and tall cliffs. In the winter, there are some great ice formations from the ice that seeps from the sides of the gorge walls.

Need to Know

No restrooms or water are available at the trailhead. Both creek crossings are within the first 1/2 to 3/4 miles. There are benches at various spots along the trail. Much of the grassy path will not have shade.

Description

This hike covers all of the trails offered in the preserve at this point. Just a short way down the trail from the parking area is a fork. We went to the right and the first part of this hike goes through the woods and is more difficult than the other 3/4 of the outing. There are pretty views and it's only a moderate loop, not too strenuous, to the first waterfall (approx. 1/4 mile in).

There are 2 potential creek crossings depending on water level. The creek isn't too wide, and we were able to cross in winter without getting wet (the second crossing had more water than the first). After about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, you'll be out of the woods and on to the wide, mostly flat grass path through a fairly young pine grove. There is a short boardwalk through a small wetlands area around mile one.

To shorten the outing, you could take only the outer loop and none of the inner paths or cut across one of the inner paths to make a shorter loop. The paths and trail are well maintained (at least they were clear in the winter) and easy to follow. I highly recommend not missing the first part of the route if you are at all interested in the views!

History & Background

This area features many cliffs, fossil reefs, waterfalls and flumes, a result of the Silurian aged Limestone in the area. Ross Run, a tributary of the Wabash River, makes its way through a deep gorge where these geologic features can be admired.

In addition to the incredible geologic features, this area boasts biodiverse forests, as well as natural cliff communities.

Contacts

Land Manager: ACRES Land Trust

Shared By:

Christy R.

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 3 votes

#4983

Overall
  3.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#36

in Indiana

#4,983

Overall
5 Views Last Month
2,371 Since Feb 4, 2017
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
0%
50%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Waterfall #2 easily freezes over in the winter.
Feb 5, 2017 near Wabash, IN
The lower waterfall often freezes solid during the winter.
Feb 5, 2017 near Wabash, IN
A short boardwalk guides you along this section of the Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run.
Feb 5, 2017 near Wabash, IN
This is a view of the wide grass path (and a bench) in the winter.
Feb 5, 2017 near Wabash, IN

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 47 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.