Hoosier National Forest Offers Over 266 Miles of Wilderness Trails

There are more than 266 miles of trails in the 200,000+ acres of the publicly owned Hoosier National Forest. The outer boundaries of the forest encompass 430,000 acres, which includes privately owned land. In the early 1800s, the area was dotted with small towns and villages, and there were farms throughout the hills. The area is very rugged and hilly with huge limestone cliffs and bluffs, sandstone box canyons, and (loose) shale cliffs. There are dozens of rivers and streams, many of which run underground where they are part of an actively developing cave system.

The trails in Hoosier National Forest have been developed with public input. Many are multi-use trails for both horses and hikers, some allow mountain bikes, too. Research the area well before you start out on your hiking adventure; if you do not want to encounter bikers or horses, stick to the hiking-only trails. Some of the trails are "maintained" by scraping away small undergrowth periodically; a man and a mule accomplish this task, since this is the only way there is access. Lesser used trails may be overgrown. In the spring you will see flower bulbs that were planted many decades ago along fence rows or cabin foundations. Small pioneer cemeteries dot the area, filled with many children who did not survive the harsh living conditions.

You should purchase a trail map and/or a topographical map at a Forest Station or online before you set out. It is very easy to get lost on the trails, particularly as some of them criss-cross and loop in spaghetti bowl fashion. There are few, if any roads in most of the wilderness areas. Cell phone reception is practically non-existent. There is a strict Pack-in/Pack-out rule for rubbish. Dogs are allowed; choose trails that your dog can climb, because many of the rocky ridges are quite difficult and nearly impossible with a leashed animal or one that cannot scramble steep trails. Keep in mind that a dog will frighten away wildlife, and you are responsible for taking extra precautions with sanitation along the trail.

One of the most beautiful trails is in part of the 13,000 acre sub-section known as the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. It was designated as a wilderness area in 1982, and that designation means that it will be maintained in its natural condition. If you are looking for quiet solitude, this is the place to hike. This was one of early Indiana's last areas to be settled due to the rugged terrain and poor, rocky soil that made farming a poor proposition. In fact, in the 1950-60s the area still had 81 small farms, connected by rough roads. Ridges and hilltops were planted in corn or hay, and the hardwood forests covered the rest of the area, as they do now. Since becoming a Wilderness Area in 1982, everything has been allowed to revert to its natural state. Logging operations were halted in 1985.

For a good 10 mile round trip hike, park at the Grubb Ridge Trailhead. Follow the trail towards the Monroe Reservoir Lake. Pass the turn off (about 2.5 miles) where the trail turns to make the Grubb Ridge Loop, and continue straight towards the Lake on Peninsula Trail. About 2.5 miles further, you will find that you are at the tip of the peninsula, where there is an area to camp. You are allowed to make campfires using downed or dead wood. No firepits are provided, so build carefully on stone or cleared dirt, and return your fire area to a natural state before you leave. There is NO drinking water available, so you will need to carry it in or bring purification supplies. On weekends there may be a few campers scattered along the peninsula. Families sometimes use this trail because the hike, while not easy, is easy enough for older children. There are no permanent residents in the area, and for the most part, you will not see anyone. The hike in to the peninsula is mostly downhill. The climb out is mostly uphill, and more strenuous.

This is a nice all day hike if you only want to pack a lunch. If you decide to camp, you will be glad that your pack is lighter on the way out! Either way, the trail passes through beautiful woods and crosses meandering streams. If you stop to rest along the trail, you will hear and see wildlife within a few minutes. Birds are especially numerous, with the large pileated woodpeckers populating the area, and many species of owls at night.