Winter Hike at Turkey Run
Travel remains limited these days, but I found just the inspiration I needed when I came across an article about 12 unique hikes in Indiana. One for each month of 2021!
I may not be jetting off to Europe again anytime soon, but my wanderlust is making me restless. So…a hiking I will go!
Outdoor adventures make for some of the safest travel options these days.
While I have lived in Indiana most of my life there are still so many state parks I haven’t visited and several I’d love to experience again. This article from Only In Indiana provided me with the exact roadmap I need for a full year of adventures out in nature.
Be sure to check back each month to follow my hikes throughout the Hoosier State!
First up is Trail 7 at Turkey Run State Park: January 2021.
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Preparing for a Winter Hike
I’m not what you would call an avid hiker, and normally I stick to hiking in the warmer months. Indiana winters can be brutal! But I’m up for getting out of my comfort zone this year, and getting out of the house!
My brother joined me for this hike, and we noted the temperature was just 18 degrees when we exited our cozy vehicle. January in Indiana often includes snow, but on the day of our hike it was dry and there was no wind to speak of. Even so, we knew it was important to bundle up for our outdoor expedition. A warm coat and hat were a given.
But the most essential hiking accessory turned out to be my waterproof boots. At times we stepped across shallow creeks with only slightly frozen flowing water. My boots kept my feet warm and dry and provided great traction for slippery rocks.
The next most needed items were my gloves. Given that I took photos of nature’s beauty around every turn with my iphone, it was extremely helpful to have gloves with a touchscreen finger. My hands stayed toasty and I never missed a shot. Form, function, and fashion at its finest!
The one thing I did forget to bring was a portable phone charger. Luckily, my battery lasted until the end of the hike, just barely! Note to self, next time bring a phone charger, no matter the season.
If you plan to do this trail or any other winter hike in Indiana (or throughout the midwest), be sure to check the forecast first. Being prepared for the elements can mean the difference between an exhilarating expedition or one that ends with bodily damage and sours your spirit for future hiking!
Trail 7
I was so glad I checked with the Interpretive Naturalist, Aaron, at Turkey Run ahead of time as he was a wealth of knowledge and provided me with this Self-Guided Hike of Trail 7. This guide really enhanced our hike and helped us take a closer look at the amazing parts of nature all around us.
We drove in the park entrance and the Turkey Run Inn was directly on our left. We parked at the Inn but decided not to join the trail at Sunset Point, just behind the Inn, as the trail guide suggests. Aaron had informed us that we could jump on Trail 6 right next to the Family Cabins by the Inn to meet up with Trail 7.
I’m so glad we took this short jaunt on Trail 6 as it gave us breathtaking views of the canyon to begin our hike!
The small stream that runs through the canyon is called Turkey Run and there seem to be several tales about how the name of the stream, and later the park, came to be.
We didn’t see any turkeys on this hike, other than the stuffed ones in the Inn and the Nature Center! But I can just imagine the numerous wild turkeys that would flock to this beautiful space seeking warmth, making it an easy hunting season for pioneers back in the day.
While Trail 7 is just .7 miles in length it is considered moderate difficulty and takes on average about an hour to complete the loop. I think it took us even longer because I couldn’t help but stop to take pictures every few feet!
Given my slow pace, the only time my heart rate elevated was when climbing some of the stairs and steep inclines when leaving the canyon. Why rush when there is so much beauty to witness all around!
I was enthralled with the changing terrain over the trail’s short distance of less than a mile. We started deep down in the canyon feeling very small among the massive exposed bedrock. Then ventured through the towering trees of the Upland Forest.
Finally, we walked a stretch along Sugar Creek, watching ice chunks majestically flowing downstream on this peaceful, sunny January day.
While winter hikes don’t offer the colorful hue of fall leaves or the beauty of wildflowers in unabandoned bloom, we found plenty of signs of nature to behold.
With very few hikers out this time of year, the air was calm and quiet. So quiet I could hear the red-headed woodpecker long before I spied his perch high atop a towering tree.
Even the moss seemed to be enjoying the peacefulness of winter and could be found sprawling across the bedrock.
One final gaze, and a few more photos, from atop Sunset Point, and Trail 7 was complete!
A Bit of History
Feeling accomplished after completing my first trail of this year-long adventure, we decided to wander a bit and take in some of the history of Turkey Run State Park.
Turkey Run was just the 2nd State Park to open in Indiana, which now boasts more than 30 State Parks and recreation areas. Richard Lieber was a trailblazer for protecting natural landscapes and helped establish the foundation of Indiana State parks back in 1916, just in time for the state’s centennial. You can find a monument to Lieber not far from the Inn as well as an old log cabin and chapel named after him.
Juliet Strauss is another important name to remember. As a journalist, she went to great lengths to protect Turkey Run and is credited for its designation as a state park. Be sure to find the statue dedicated to Juliet Strauss the next time you visit Turkey Run.
More to Explore at Turkey Run
On this trip, we also took some time to peak inside the Inn at Turkey Run and wander among the Family Cabins. It has been a few years since we did an overnight stay at Turkey Run State Park, but now it’s back on my radar!
Lodging options include 61 rooms at the Inn and several cabins for rent. All accommodations include access to the indoor heated pool, dining hall, gift shop, game room, and cozy lounge. (Check on current availability of amenities due to Covid restrictions.)
Then we spent some time at the nature center where I spied a few slithering snakes and was thankful I didn’t encounter any during our hike!
I especially enjoyed the wildlife watching room where I spotted dozens of the prettiest birds getting their fill at the feeders. I guess they didn’t all fly south for the winter!
For those who are serious about exploring Indiana State Parks and want something to show for it, consider earning the Challenge patch or collecting Explore pins. I’m sure my new friend Aaron at Turkey Run would be happy to tell you all about how to get started!
There is so much more to explore at Turkey Run, but I’ve got to save some things for November when my year-long hiking adventure takes me back to Turkey Run for Trail 10.
Join me in February as I venture to nearby Shades State Park and tackle Trail 6!
Have you visited Turkey Run or any other state parks in Indiana? Comment below and tell me your favorite hikes in Hoosier country!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
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