Waterfalls and sandstone at Sycamore Land Trust's Canyon Forest Nature Preserve

Canyon Forest Nature Preserve has been owned by the Sycamore Land Trust since 2013, and was dedicated as an Indiana State Nature Preserve in May 2020 by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission.

This dedication recognizes the preserve as one of the most significant natural areas in our state. Sycamore is still the owner and manager of the preserve. In August 2020, Sycamore changed the name of this nature preserve. It used to be called the Dilcher-Turner Canyon Forest.

The preserve was donated by David and Kathy Dilcher and Rudi Turner. This Greene County property served as their playground and retreat for more than 40 years, and they wanted to preserve their land’s pristine ravines as a natural area for people to enjoy. Turner, a retired Indiana University biology researcher who passed away in 2018, had a strong interest in orchids, which are found on the property. The preserve features seasonal waterfalls and sandstone outcrops.

It's full of beautiful hardwood trees, but there is so much more in this 68-acre preserve.

There are three loop trails in the forest that intersect. The trails are considered moderate in ease of hiking.

It was a beautiful spring day when I hiked there. The sky was overcast at times but the temperature was about 60 degrees, which made it perfect hiking weather. I drove to the preserve and found the trailhead quite easily.

I started off hiking on a well defined trail and found myself in the middle of a stand of white pine trees.I stood a few moments beneath the canopy of pine boughs to take in the wonderful scent of pine and damp earth. A bed of dried pine needles and cones covered the ground beneath the trees.

The forest has its own scents that continually change with the seasons and the elements. But some scents in the woods are a constant: damp wood, old moss, dried leaves, rotting logs. Nature’s aroma therapy.

I continued along the path and left the pines, though the scent of the pine trees stayed with me as I walked.

I soon came to an intersection where the trail spilt in two directions. There was a map located on a sign at the split so I decided to take the trail to my left which would lead me down to the creek and waterfall.

I had just hiked a little when I came to a view of the small waterfall. The water was trickling over the top of the falls and into a small stream below. The water continued to follow the stream bed in the canyon below.

Moss covered outcrops and beautiful ferns covered the walls of the canyon.

A bench had been strategically placed at the top of the canyon for optimal viewing so I sat and enjoyed a few moments of nature.

I took a few photos and felt myself relaxing amongst the backdrop of the forest and canyon. The canyon formed a deep ravine with ridges along the top.

The trail continued to follow the edges of the canyon.

I came to a slope and as I climbed upward, I passed several small rock shelters and moss covered,sandstone outcroppings, which gave a pre-historic feel to the wooded landscape that surrounded me. Wood ferns dotted the landscape along with a variety of spring wildflowers.

I breathed in my surroundings and felt a renewed energy. Such a beautiful forest.

The rest of the landscape was dressed in the colors of the Earth. Tones of brown and gray a lot of beige and green thrown in the mix. The dirt path beneath my feet had roots growing through it in places. The forest was quiet except for the occasional sounds of woodpeckers and the recently returned song birds in the branches of the trees overhead. It was a peaceful walk in the woods. An easy trail to follow.

I walked the loop back to the intersection. Then returned to the parking lot. A simple hike in a beautiful woods; it was a good day.

To get to this place: From West Ind. 45 at the border of Monroe and Greene counties, veer right on East Chapel Road by the white church. Take the immediate right onto Greene County Line Road. Go 1 mile and turn left on Edwards Road. Parking is on your right just after railroad tracks.

One of my favorite quotes for your week: “It’s not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts. as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation of old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.” — Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist, essayist, poet, writer, 1850-1894

Until the next trail,

Susan

This article originally appeared on Evening World: What to expect when hiking at Canyon Forest Nature Preserve