Fellow Hoosiers, what trails would be be st for me?

“First off I want to introduce myself to everyone. I'm a moderately experienced day-hiker but I've never backpacked before. I plan on starting up in September once I can get the equipment I need, but I wanted to first ask about some of the trails here in Indiana.

I'll be in Indy so I know I'm at least near some of the best. What I'm mostly looking for are relatively natural, pristine environments and trails that are at least somewhat secluded. I'm considering Deam Wilderness as a first trail but from reading about it I've gotten the impression that it's somewhat popular and encounters with others aren't too uncommon. Is this the case? What about the winter(as I plan on doing winter backpacking as well)?

What other Indiana trails are great for a weekend trip, are secluded and still very natural, and also allow for backcountry camping(as in not at a crowded campsite but rather somewhere where you're on your own)? As I'm just getting into the activity my knowledge of trails is limited to online reviews/descriptions, and unfortunately many of these don't address activity level or such. As far as campsites go, it may be the case that even parks that require camping only at designated sites are still sparse enough where you're not going to be camping around others. However I wouldn't yet know if this is the case or not.

Finally, what out-of-state places would be recommended for a week-long trip? I imagine Kentucky and Tennessee would be best but would these trails be too challenging? Thanks!”

“If you are planning on starting in September, check out teh trip page. We have a trip scheduled to the 2 lakes area. Should be a nice trip.

Deam is also a great start however you are likely to see other hikers or horseback riders if the weather is nice.

If you want secultion, I suggest looking into the Knobstone trail just south of Indy.

As for other states, Tenn and KY has great trails. Suggestion is to check the trails section of this website.

Last, hell yea on the White Sox!”

“Welcome WhiteSoxFan. I too am a fellow Hoosier. There are many trails to pick from. You didn't say anything about how many miles in a day you are comfortable doing. Low Gap in the Morgan Monroe Forest is a nice overnighter, or a good day hike. The Deam has many trails, but can be busy. We are doing Two Lakes Loop in Sept, feel free to join us. You will find many here who can give you ideas.”

“You're not going to get a whole lot of seclusion in Indiana but the Deam isn't that bad. Try for weekday trips for the best seclusion. Other areas for BPing are the Adventure Hiking trail, the Knobstone, the Tecomseh (sp), The Adena Trace Trail, and as mentioned above the Two Lakes Loop. Hoosier National Forest as other options besides just the Deam Wilderness.

Oh yeah, not sure how I could have forgotten this one considering I was just there Friday but Morgan Monroe State forest is good too. There's a 10 mile loop trail with backcountry camping and part of the Tecomsa trail runs through it. Plus it's only 30 minutes from Indy.

Some links:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/

http://www.imu.indiana.edu/things_to_do/iuoa/iuoa.shtml

http://www.indianaoutfitters.com/

http://www.state.in.us/dnr/

as far as out state goes if you're wanting to add a couple extra nights you can't beat the smokys...it's about an 8 hour drive from indy
last edited: 7/28/08 1:34:39 PM”

“...also, as far as out of state trails being too challenging, i've been to the smokeys several times and i've actually found some of the Indiana trails to be as challenging or more...they actually use switch backs in the smokeys were as in indiana they'll just build a trail straight up a hill”

“Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions and links. With the choices available it's helpful knowing some specific trails that match what you're looking for. With a few exceptions, I'll be starting out Friday afternoons and coming back on Sundays so I'll probably do sections of the longer trails(more on extended weekends).

windigrrl: Thanks for the invite but to be honest, I should probably get in better shape before I go on trips from the site. Unfortunately my internship kept me from being very active this summer and I don't want to be slowing the pace for everyone else. But give me until October and I should be good to go on any planned trips.

thriftyhiker: I've been to the Smokeys but only with family and only on the easiest trails they have. I'll probably go during fall break in mid-october but my one reservation is that I'm taking on more than I can handle at this point. Then again, hiking in the middle of a massive mountainous forest during Autumn is irresistable and from what you said, most of the trails aren't as hard as I think they are.

Wounded Knee: Nice to see another Sox fan as most people here in Indiana seem to side with the Cubbies for some reason. Definitely took me off guard when I moved here from Chicago.”

“Ha Ha! I am about 30 minutes from Chicago (Northwest Indiana) and work in the city. I tell people I am from Chicago because we get Chicago news and never really know what is happening downstate.

The trip in September is tame enough for hikers of all skill levels. I believe Windy has a few different mileage routes for all to hike as well, so this would be a perfect trip for you.

From your original post, you mention winter hiking. Many of us hike in the winter and actually perfer it. I will probably post a December or January Deam trip (and hopefully not bail).
last edited: 7/28/08 2:26:03 PM”

“welcome to tt. glad you are here. happy trails. never fall asleep around nigal. over and out.”

“windigrrl: Thanks for the invite but to be honest, I should probably get in better shape before I go on trips from the site. Unfortunately my internship kept me from being very active this summer and I don't want to be slowing the pace for everyone else. But give me until October and I should be good to go on any planned trips.

You would do fine on the Two Lakes Loop Trip. I'm one of the slowest hikers on this site and it doesn't stop me. I just tell everyone to keep a site for me. I'll be there eventually. lol. Hiking is about hiking your own hike. That's why the Two Lakes Loop has 4 different ways to get to the same campsite. Believe me, you will know when there's a trip posted that's going to be more than you can handle. You can tell by the trip listing.

Oh, and never fall asleep around most of these clowns. j/k”

“Well, I met a fellow Boilermaker while on top of Half Dome in Yosemite a few years ago.

I hiked in Brown County in the Fall one year and it was eye-popping colorful. When you want some awesome vistas, come try the Sierras.

Good luck!”

“I'm not a hoosier.


Nope. Not me. I'm a Californian, damn it!”

“yer a hoosier. you have been here too long. it's like a fungus. it grows on you slowly so you don't notice it until it's too late.”

“You're a hoosier!!!!!


I'm a Californian. I mispronounce almond, apparently, to everyone here in cornville.”

“lol! i can almost hear you saying it.”

“As far as I see it, I'm saying it right and you hoosiers don't. After all I grew up in the Almond growing capital of the US if not the WORLD. :)”

“if you aint a hoosier, youre a loser”

“I'm not a Hoosier, but I live there long enough to find one to marry.”

“california = the land of fruits and nuts”

“hence, spirit's attraction to walnuts. We should change her name to Walnut Girl.”

“You got it all wrong, I'm not attracted to nuts, nuts are attracted to me.”

“Nut magnet.

I stand corrected!”

“Its NOT gonna stick, stomper! :P”

“spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet
spirit Coyote Nut magnet”

“I would have traded my place while on that trip to have been pelted with walnuts any day of the week and twice on Sunday's.”

“WSF, don't let the smokeys intimidate you...it's a great place, even if all you do is car camp and day hike...if you want to take it slow and easy, pick a camp site a few miles from a trail head and hike to it, stay 1 night and hike back out...their website has a good trail map posted

trail map:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Trail%20map%2008.pdf
last edited: 7/30/08 12:02:16 PM”

“you did the right and good thing knee!

...but the minute you said, "you go... i'll take care of her."

...well, jackrabbits should run so fast!”

“I took a left instead of the right and missed the whole thing. Dangit!

The only times we've hiked together WK, you had to leave. I hope I'm not a jinx for you.”

“stomper, don't reel bad, its not you thats jinxed, that trail is for WK.”