A Hiker's Path: Splashing geese and beautiful views at Shakamak State Park
This past weekend, I decided to drive to Shakamak State Park to hike around one of the lakes.
Shakamak, Indiana's seventh state park, was established in 1929 on a tract of land donated to the state by Clay, Greene and Sullivan counties. The park contains a total of 1,766 acres and boasts of three lakes.
The 56-acre Lake Shakamak was created using an abandoned railroad as a dam. Lake Lenape, a 49-acre impoundment initially named Lake Jason, was created in 1933, while the 290-acre Lake Kickapoo became a reality in the '60s. Shakamak and Lenape's waters overflow into Lake Kickapoo, which runs off into the Big Branch Creek.
"Shakamak" is a Kickapoo word meaning “river of the long fish,” a reference to eels. Although absent in the lakes because the dams cut the natural flow of water from all three, freshwater eels are found in the nearby Eel and Wabash rivers.
The Delaware tribe used to live in the area prior to the early 1800s.
Shakamak State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 as a national historic district.
It was a sunny but chilly day when I drove to Shakamak. I was looking forward to a good hike.
Over the holidays, I cut down on my hiking a bit, so it was time to get my hiking legs back.
Trail 5, which is the Lake Kickapoo trail, was finished in 2017. It is 2.2 miles in length and gives the hiker beautiful views of the lake and various waterfowl that visit there. It is considered moderate in ease of hiking.
I started down the wooded path along the lake which was covered with damp leaves, leftover from last fall.
The lake was absolutely beautiful and from the very start I could see lots of geese floating around out on the surface of the lake.
I was definitely in my element!
The forest around me was very quiet with exception of the sound of occasional splashing by the geese.
I passed several small inlets. In some places, the edges of the lake had thin layers of ice covering them though the lake itself was not frozen.
The trees around me were void of their leaves, but the winter landscape was painted from a beautiful palette of muddied greens and grays. Those are my favorite colors.
I discovered several sets of animal tracks on the dirt path as I made my way the edge of the lake. I identified them as raccoons and possums for the most part.
There would be none of these nocturnal creatures out on a sunny day like this one. I left a few footprints of my own behind as I hiked quietly through the forest.
I was dressed warmly in layers and wore my hiking boots. I also had my trekking poles to help with traction on the dirt trail. You can never be too prepared when out in the forest in the winter!
The trail eventually took me across the dam where the view was spectacular. The lake was picturesque.
I got some great photos. I soon returned back to my car, where I ate the small picnic lunch that I had brought with me. I totally enjoyed my afternoon at Shakamak.
The address for this park is 6265 W. Ind. 48, Jasonville, Indiana.
A quote for your week: ”A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable.” — William Wordsworth, English romantic poet, writer, 1770-1850
Until the next trail, Susan
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hiker takes Lake Kickapoo trail to water's edge in Shakamak
