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Short trail to the lookout tower.


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Map Key

0.8

Miles

1.3

KM

Point to Point

778' 237 m

High

604' 184 m

Low

179' 55 m

Up

190' 58 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

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

Standard Park Rules apply.

Need to Know

Park entrance has a fee—take cash or cards.

Description

This trail starts at the visitor center, runs along the top of the ridge to the observation tower, then down into the gorge, winding around slump block, and then back up to rejoin the road at the top of the ridge. Connects to trails 2 and 3. Fantastic spring wildflowers along the ridge and some mini waterfalls (seasonal) moving their way to the gorge. Mud a plenty and mixed rocks on the lower portions of the trail, while gravel on the ridgeline.

Due to the gravel terrain on most of the trail, the stretch between the Observation Tower and the trail's intersection with Trail 2 is very steep and somewhat difficult to go either up or down. This stretch also becomes a muddy creek after a rain. My dad nicknamed this stretch "killer hill," since it was usually our last incline before we got to the parking lot by the Nature Center.

Flora & Fauna

Trillium, Cutleaf toothwart, bloodroot, bluebells, and moss all around. Squirrels and birds, including red headed woodpecker and downy woodpeckers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Davis with improvements by Michael Kontos

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#26300

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#293

in Indiana

#26,300

Overall
3 Views Last Month
56 Since Apr 9, 2019
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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