A Hiker's Path: What you'll see at Indiana's The Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve
This past week, I drove down to Martin County to do some hiking. My destination: The Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve.
This preserve contains 748 acres and is located near Shoals, Indiana. The Nature Conservancy, which manages the preserve along with the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, refers to it as "one of the Crown Jewels" of our state's nature preserves.
This preserve features colorful sandstone cliffs that overlook the east fork of the White River and Beaver Creek below, along with rock shelters and unique geologic formations. Native Americans used the bluffs as shelter and the river for food back when they inhabited the land. Large beds of freshwater mussels existed in the river back then, and traces of the shells can still be found at "shell mound" on the preserve above the cliffs.
The area was named for the large bend of the White River and Beaver Creek. The Nubbin Ridge trail at the bluffs is 2.7 miles and is a loop trail. It’s considered moderate to hike in ease of hiking though there is a gradual 354-foot climb in elevation.
It was a “dress in layers” kind of day when I hiked at this beautiful preserve. It was still winter after all.
After parking my car in the small parking lot at the trailhead, I set out for a day of exploration. The trail started out as a gravel road that ran between the tall sandstone bluffs on the left and the White River on the right. The morning sunlight sparkled like diamonds across the surface of the river. The light played on the colors of the sandstone bluffs with hues of pink against the earth tone colors of the rock.
The pitted face of the bluff is known as “honeycomb” weathering. There are many explanations as to what causes this beautiful rock formation. Some theories are wind or water erosion and short-term temperature fluctuations.
There were several small rock shelters and crevices along the bluffs and I soon came to a bigger one. It was a small cave, big enough to walk into but I made the decision not to go in it. Maybe another day.
Soon the trail cut off the road and I found myself ascending to the top of a large bluff. The trail led me through a beautiful hardwood forest. After I got to the top, I saw the river and valley below me. It was quite a sight!
I followed the trail around through the woods, enjoying the display of nature around me. The winter landscape had many offerings: deep green mosses and lichen, old rotted logs, dried fungi growing on trees, and a changing season that would soon bring the beginning of bright colors to the forest. Early spring and I was savoring the moment.
I noticed more than a few woodpeckers high up in the trees above me. They seemed annoyed by my presence.
It was quiet in the winter woods. The solitude was welcome and a feeling of quiet peace came over me. What a great walk through the woods I had.
There was so much more to enjoy on my hike but the time passed quickly and and I soon found myself back at my car.
It was a good hike! To get to this place: From Shoals, travel west on U.S. 50 into town. Immediately past the White River bridge, turn left, (south), onto Water Street. Continue south on Spout Springs Road. Turn at the first right and drive to the parking lot.
A quote for your week: “What fire could ever equal the sunshine of a winter’s day?” — Henry David Thoreau, American essayist and naturalist, 1817-1862
Until the next trail,Susan
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hiker explores Indiana nature preserve known for honeycomb weathering
