Let's Roll

“she has seen it all and has no regrets.”

ive seen a few things i regret”

“Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. I hope I can say the same when I'm 87.


I'm looking forward to this trip.”

“as i have a company party that saturday afternoon/eve.”

“Well maybe we'll see ya on the next one”

“sooner or later, it'll happen. :)”

“so Ive lost track of what the hiking plans are?
-later taters
attila”

“What's happen Attlia well we have talked about everything from going from yellowood lake to staying over at the Drapier Cabin.I think if the weather is not too bad going from Yellowood Lake is my pick but really I'd just like to take a backpacking trip that weekend and see everyone and have a good time”

“Whatever you decide works for me. I looking forward to getting out and trying some of my new gear!”

“I looked at the weather for Saturday Night Snow Low of 7 real feel -11 how about it?”

“WOW! Could have used my new zero bag.”

“Now it's saying 20 with real feel of 13 for Saturday night. It will change at least one more time between now and then.
last edited: 1/03/09 1:24:53 AM”

“it's a week away. theres no point in looking at the forecast”

“Id like to start at yellowood lake too. anyone know of any good camping spots northe of prange pond?

I cant read the milage page of the link to the trial map. I think prange pond is only 5 miles or less, and I cant tell the the milage to Bear Lake, anyone know?”

“0 miles. Trailhead at Morgan-Monroe State Forest office—faucet on building wall near entrance.
CAMPING 0 miles. Just north of office; primitive sites, fee. Register in office.
Mi 2.0 Blue clay in soft shale creek bank; bottom land wildflowers.
Mi 2.5 Rock Shelter—nice lunch stop, great icicles in winter; Nature Preserve.
5 miles—cross Low Gap Road and Honey Creek ( 2 HHC footbridges). Good water, only in pools in summer.
Mi 5--8 Watch the trees grow over the decades; MMSF Back Country Area has been designated as a
no-logging Forest Preserve, state equivalent of federal wilderness, except without legal status. Let’s
hope the new governor (2006) honors this commitment, and does not log it.
CAMPING 5—8 miles. M-MSF Backcountry area. Camp anywhere, 100 feet from water. Registration not required.
Mi 6 CCC Pine plantations along creek: everyone’s favorite campsite.
6 miles—Nice creek water at camp in pines, but usually dry in summer.
Mi 8 Back Country Trail/Tecumseh Trail split.
10.2 miles. Bear Lake. Good water all year, fishing. Swimming not allowed.
Mi 11.9 Trail descends bluff on pioneer-era cut; trail crosses Eagle Scout bridge. In woods below:
remains of pioneer tanning pond dam visible, location audible in spring as it fills with frogs, then
HHC-built puncheon track through small swamp, wet all year from deep spring.
Mi 12.0 Daffodils at trailside here & elsewhere denote pioneer-era homestead, just before Richards Road
crossing. Two short bridges built by Lutheran Hills Church Camp crew, & rebuilt by HHC crew 2006.
12.0 Richards Road Creek. Water, but near road, houses upstream.
13.25 miles—Lutheran Hills easement creek. Nice water, but unreliable in summer.
13.25 After Creek, pioneer cistern/well on left, marked by logs (Protective fence soon); water most summers.
Mi 13.5 Foxes Den Shelter. Sign (easy to miss from South), short access trails in both directions.
CAMPING 13.5 miles. Fox Den Shelter, Lutheran Hills Church Camp easement. AT-type shelter built by campers for
Church Camp (usually 1st week in July) and the convenience of trail hikers. AT-type shelter, 6-8
spaces. Overflow for tents in nearby woods. Picnic table, fire ring. Fires permitted, plenty of fuel in
woods; use care. Clean up afterwards. If there’s some litter, consider taking it with you, as it is a
privilege to camp here on Church Camp property! Please do not hike on Church Camp service road.
17.2 miles—East Lost Branch; small spring on side of hill. Creek can dry up in summer.
Mi 17.2 Seep on side of hill, marsh plants. Route passes homes, follows road for .7 miles, crossing busy U.S. 45.
18.1 miles—Bean Blossom Creek. Water all year, can be muddy, drains big built-up area.
Mi 18.1 Notorious Indian Hill Road climb. Working on alternate route--2008?
Mi 18.3 At top of hill, trail turns off road, enters woods at gate on service road.
CAMPING—about mile 20. After climbing Indian Hill Rd., trail descends, crosses creek, and ascends to ridge top— designated camping area begins here and is marked from this point south with blue wands.
Mi 20.7 TT goes SW (sign); local trail, marked by metal triangles, goes left (SE), leading out to road and
to convenience store and tavern/coffee bar at Helmsburg. Live music on Thursday evenings.
20.8 miles—Plum Creek. Nice water, can be dry in summer.
Mi 20.8 Plum Creek easement; scenic, especially fine spring wildflowers, morels.
Mi 20.9 Salmeron Road, Kneadmore Commune (1970s, now disbanded) easement leading to secluded
valley; trail follows side of defunct pioneer mill dam.
Mi 22.7 Trail follows Lanam Ridge Road (east) and then south at intersection with Dubois Ridge Road.
The HHC is pursuing an easement donation.
Mi 22.3 and south. Many nice forest acres, and logging, trail shared with horses for short distance.
23.4 miles—Prang Pond. Clean wildlife pond (not too soupy), good all year.
Mi 27.7 Trail crosses Yellowwood Lake Road; parking lot, pioneer cemetery.
CAMPING 27.7 miles. Group camp area, no established sites. Register ahead; fee. Tables and privy. YSF office .8 mi
south along road; with designated camp sites and water..
27.7-29.7 miles—Yellowwood Lake. Lake water—half way to soup, but clean, and the fish like it. Boil it, —it won’t ruin your coffee.
Mi 27.8—29.7 Scenic, peaceful section along lake, passes beaver dam, CCC-planted cypress.
Mi 29.8 High King Hill: grand view of lake and miles of forest, finally descending on Scarce O’Fat Rd.
Mi 33.9—35.4 Trail follows U.S. 46, turns south at Belmont, towards T.C. Steele historic site (locally
famous painter—worth visiting, but not by trail yet), then onto and off Lower Schooner Rd..
34.6 miles—Lower Schooner Creek. Big-time creek, drains big farm, highway area.
Mi 35.5—39.2 Enters forest again; easy pleasant miles on pioneer track/forest service road on ridge line.
37.5 miles (approx.)—small wildlife pond on right.
39.2 miles—Crooked Creek. Good water all year, pools in summer.
Mi 39.2 Trail reaches Crooked Creek Road, enters small pine plantation, then crosses road at parking
area and official TT Trailhead.
41.1 miles—Panther Creek. Good water all year from springs, forest watershed; pools in summer.
Mi 41.1 Panther Creek; pioneer homestead. Trail crosses creek, goes uphill on badly eroded old road.
Mi 41.5 Border of Hoosier National Forest with Brown County State Park (fee area).
CAMPING 41.5 miles. Hoosier National Forest property; camp anywhere (100 feet from water). No fee. Camping is also legal approximately 200 yards downstream from the field where the TT crosses Panther Creek.”

“thanks for posting chris!
you going.
later”

“Attila looks like Plum Creek is the first place to camp after Prang Pond I have not hiked this section I think Randall and Crash have I wish I had set up the Trip this Weekend instead of next they are still calling for very low temps Sat Night.

Randall are you a go if we don't go to the Drapier Cabin and stay?”

“coyote just think about all those biting bugs that won't be around due to the bitter cold!

We could do an in and out hike; or shuttle cars. Lots of different options”

“I don't think there are very many parking spots where the trail cross the road after Prang Pond there is however a parking spot at Prang Pond I thought I might park at Prang Pond and take my Propane Heater.

How about it?
last edited: 1/04/09 5:47:31 PM”

“I'm lost. What is the trip plan? Where are we starting and where are we camping on Saturday night? Is anyone going to be out on Friday night?”

“i'd like to camp friday night”

“There is a group camping spot there at Yellowood Lake?I guess we will start over at Yellowood Lake and decidce wether we want to shuttle or just do an out and back.”

“Where are we camping on Saturday night?

Temps on Saturday night - low 13 real feel -3.”

“I guess we'll wait and see what the temps are closer to the end of the week I don't really want to go out on a survial weekend.”

“While Fox Den is 13 miles from Yellowwood, shelter floors are always nice for winter camping.”

“I have a bad cold, and won't make this one. You guys have a great time, and I'll catch ya on the next one.”

“there's a designated camping area just north of plum creek road...there's a patch of forestry land there and the camp spot is in the north west corner...there is parking (not marked on any map) on Indian Hill road...the Tecumseh follows the road for a while and the parking spot is were the trail splits from the road”

“If I'm looking at the map correctly, that should make it about 8-11 miles from YSF, depending on where you start. Does that sound about right?”

“you talking about from the site i posted?...most of the tecumseh is in yellowwood...yellowwood starts in the back country area of morgan/monroe...bear lake and prang pond are both technically in yellowwood...i haven't hiked south of prang”

“sorry I didn't specify, I was thinking from Yellowwood Lake Dam Pk lot (~11 miles) and Yellowwood Lake Rd Pk Lot (~8 miles). Is that where we are starting from? I'm so confused, lol.”

“OK, I'll be the one to say it, it's going to be really cold this weekend. Anyone else besides me interested in base camping so we can bring some extra stuff for warmth?”

“If we want to start from Yellowood lake, some different options would be:
-hike to and camp at prange pond-4 miles
-hike to and camp at Plum creek -7 miles
-hike to and camp at fox den shelter-13 miles

-If we go with a short milage we can always day hike further down the trail (which is what I'd do-to see a lot more of the trail in this stretch)
Of course any car shuttles could be arranged too.
*Friday nite camping at Yellowood lake would be kool.

Or, if we need to camp at Fox Den and didnt want the 13 mile hike, some could park closer to it I think.”

“I watched the forecast today looked alot better Sat high of 30 low of like 20 or 25 that would be to bad.I know the parking at Prang Pond is very small”

“Looks like there is camping near the Yellowwood Lake Rd Pk Lot, does anyone want to meet there on Friday night?”

“If you base camp, they will come...”

“If you base camp, they will come...”
stomper
Translated - If you base camp, I might come. If you don't base camp, I'm really not going to come. lol
last edited: 1/06/09 4:49:22 PM”

“I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it anyway, so don't change the trip for me.”

“Hey guys really don't know what to do as of yet let's see what the temps are looking like I am having trouble with my hip and don't know what kind of mileage I can turn out this weekend I could drive up to Prange Pond and do some cooking for everyone I don't know if there is road access for the camping area @ Plum Creek the parking spot at Prang Pond is only for about 2 trucks maybe.
I could help set up a shuttle North of Prange Pond everyone could then hike to Prange Pond we camp eat drink be merry then hiker could hike on down to yellowood lake sunday morning.”

“Could someone post what the plan is?”

“Guys I am out I just don't think my hip is going to let the hike any mileage.I will leave the trip up here if you all plan on camping Friday Night maybe I could come down and camp Friday with you all if it's not too far of a hike.”

“Alright, I pulled out my map and looked at some options. Perhaps this would allow folks to hike a shorter or longer distance, or just show up at the campsite:

Meet at Yellowwood Lake, folks can camp here Friday night if they want.

Saturday Morning drive one car north, dropping folks off at Rt. 45 crossing (before Beanblossom creek) for those who want to do 5.5 miles to Prang Pond

Then continue on to Bear Lake and park for those who want to do 13 miles to Prang Pond.

Camp near Prang Pond - those who want to drive directly there can (two parking spots?)

Sunday morning Prang Pond to Yellowwood lake - about 5 miles.

Sunday afternoon - Eagles beat the Giants
last edited: 1/07/09 4:17:30 PM”

“Chris I could do that and help shuttle guys abd camp at prange pond”

“Sounds good to me. Thanks”

“sounds like a plan to me.
Ill start at bear lake-Ive never hiked these portions before so it'll be good to see.
-do y'all know the way to those trail heads,cuz I dont?

Ill plan to camp friday nite-preferably at the north end of the lake at the group site,if we can get it. I believe its first come first serve .”

“I don't think anyone will be a the group site on Friday night it is a real big area.They are talking sbout Freezing Rain on Friday Night I wait and see what the weather says in the morning I may come down on Saturday Morning I know how to get over to Bear Lake.

Options would be Bear Lake,Richards Road over by the shelter,Hwy 45 would all be good hikes into Prang Pond”

“Ill plan to camp friday nite-preferably at the north end of the lake at the group site,if we can get it. I believe its first come first serve
I don't think there will be too many out this weekend where we will have trouble finding a place to camp. lol”

“i hate to put a damper on your plan chris, but there's just no way the beagles are gonna be the giants ;)”

“damp'er? she'd feel better if you'd dry'er”

“who else is heading down friday-besides me and krash?
I'll be heading down about 530.”

“I live 10 minutes away, so I think I'm going to show up Saturday morning. What time do you think you'll start moving on Saturday?”

“I'll be there on Friday night. Anyone bringing firewood?”