A hiker's path: A favorite trail for hiking, biking is Indy's Schoen Creek Trail
Last week I got the opportunity to hike in one of my favorite state parks in our state: Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The park boasts of 1,700 acres and features hiking and jogging trails, picnic sites, fishing access to Fall Creek, and two national historic districts. Before the area became a park, it was first a military post. On June, 28, 1904, the U.S.War department officially announced the purchase of the property for military purposes.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt, dedicated Fort Benjamin Harrison in honor of the 23rd president of the United States. The post has served multiple roles over the years: as a troop reception center, classroom, and soldier support facility during all major military conflicts from World War I to Desert Storm. It was also a prisoner of war camp during World War II. At one time, it was the headquarters of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). The area was established as a state park in 1996 and today the greenspace that the Army kept out of development from 1903-1996 is still being preserved.
One of my favorite trails at this park is the Schoen Creek trail. This was my chosen trail for the day.
The Schoen Creek trail, is 3 miles in length. It’s considered to be a difficult trail in ease of hiking which means it is not easy. It's a multi-use, hiking and bike trail.
The trail was designed and the trail builders led by Hoosier Mountain Bike Association vice president Mike Hufhand. HMBA volunteers donated 4,000 hours of time working on trail construction. It was opened for use in 2011.
It leads the hiker through wetland areas, prairies, woods, and ravines.
After arriving at the park, I drove to the trailhead and began my hike.
The trail had little twists and turns and was very scenic as spring was very much alive in the forest.
Sometimes it can be muddy but on this day, the muddy spots were few and far between. This trail is a loop trail. Some of the ravines are steep but the trails overall are cut into the side of the hills.
This makes it a popular spot for the bike riders so occasionally I had to defer to a few bikes. It did not deter me from enjoying my hike.
The forest was really greening up and was beginning to look more like summer than spring.
Still quite a few wildflowers dotting the landscape. Lots of woodpeckers in the trees. It was a beautiful day for a hike in the forest in Indiana.
The hike was invigorating and I was full of joy just to be out on the trail in near perfect weather. With the temperature right around 70 degrees, no jacket required.
I enjoyed a good afternoon of hiking and when I got back to the car, I didn’t even mind that much that I had to clean some dirt off of my hiking shoes before entering the car. It was a good hike. And a good day outdoors.
If you are looking for a different type of place to hike, I think you would enjoy this park and this trail.
The entrance of the park is located at Post Road and 59th street in Indianapolis. It's not far off of the 465 bypass.
There is a seasonal admission fee at the entrance. An Indiana State Park pass will get you in as well.
A quote for your week: “The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot”. - Werner Herzog - German Film Director. Author.
Until the next trail,
Susan
This article originally appeared on Evening World: A favorite trail for hiking, biking is Indy's Schoen Creek Trail
