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trips - Morgan-Monroe WeekendTrip Info
DescriptionI'm jonesing for a good trail this weekend since it's been a few weeks. Going to explore Morgan-Monroe State Forest, which is located between Bloomington and Martinsville, Indiana. Plan to do the Low Gap Trail Loop. Directions to the trailhead and links are below. There are other trails as well if you want to get in more miles. DNR site Map Low Gap Trail Well, darn it! I am just learning how to do links and stuff and I obviously can't figure this out. So please copy and paste. Sorry. Morgan-Monroe State Forest encompasses more than 24,000 acres in Morgan and Monroe counties in south central Indiana. The forest land encompasses many steep ridges and valleys, and is forested with some of the state's finest hardwoods. The original settlers of the area cleared and attempted to farm the ridges, but were frustrated by rocky soil unsuitable for agriculture. The state purchased the eroded, abandoned land to create Morgan-Monroe State Forest beginning in 1929. Hiking Trails Rock Shelter Loop - 3 miles (moderate) Scenic trail. Departs from the Low Gap Trail parking area. Mason Ridge Loop - 2.7 miles (moderate) Trail circles the main forest road. Pick up trail at the Orcutt Road parking area near the Forest Office, or at the Low Gap Trail trailhead. Three Lakes Trail - 10 miles (rugged) Connects Cherry, Beanblossom and Bryants Creek Lakes. Trailheads are located at the south end of Cherry Lake and at Bryants Creek Lake shelter. LOW GAP TRAIL - 10 miles (rugged) Loops through the Back Country Area, east of Low Gap Road, where overnight backpack camping is permitted. The trailhead is located along Forest Road just east of the turn for Beanblossom Road and the Wall Picnic Shelter. Although there is no fee for camping, you must register at the forest office before camping in the Back Country Area. For a detailed map of the back country area, obtain a Morgan-Monroe State Forest trail map or purchase a topographical map of the Hindustan quad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Located southwest of Indianapolis, 35 miles south from Interstate 465 via State Road 37 (5 miles south of Martinsville or 16 miles northeast of Bloomington-follow signs 8 miles east of State Road 37.) Trailhead: From Indianapolis, take State Road 37 South, until passed Martinsville. Passed Martinsville, SR37 will continue somewhat level and then go uphill. Passed the top of the hill on SR37, there is a sign for Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Turn East at the sign off of SR37 onto Pine Boulevard. This county road will intersect another county road at a stop sign. Turn slightly right onto Old 37. Continue until reaching the Morgan-Monroe State Forest sign on the left, about 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road. It is 4.5 miles to office. The ranger tells me there is more than one trailhead for Low Gap. We'll meet at the Walls Shelter, which she explained is about half-way to the office on Forest Road. Free maps are at the office. Friendly ranger lady also said that no permits are needed contrary to what the web site says. Camping is permitted anywhere in the back country. Burning is permitted. That area has received a good amount of rain lately, but she couldn't tell me much about stream levels. She suggested packing in some water and said there were places near the office to fill up. FYI: Office hours are 8-12 and 1-4. Property Manager: Jim Allen Assistant Property Manager: David Ramey Morgan-Monroe State Forest 6220 Forest Road Martinsville, IN 46151 (765) 342-4026 FAX: (765) 342-4505
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