This Saturday we’ll be making a short road trip southwest of Indy to this state park. Our plan for the hike will be to cover between 7 and 8 miles (around 2.5 to 3 hours) on the creek-side and wooded trails.

The terrain will mainly be moderate but will include some rugged, rocky areas with a few hills. We’ll also be doing some creek crossings as the trail goes back and forth over the creek, and at the end of the hike we’ll be tackling one massive staircase.

It’s $7 per vehicle to enter the park.

We’ll be meeting within the park at Hill Crest Shelter. The parking lot across the street from the shelter is where we’ll meet, and the shelter offers restrooms. (You can also stop at the Nature Center’s restrooms before the hike.) A map of McCormick’s Creek is located here (http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2978.htm) at the Department of Natural Resources website. Scroll down on the page to the “Maps” section.

Our course for the day will be trails 5, 7, part of 10, 2, and end with 3.

For anyone interested in a bite to eat after the hike, we’ll grab some late lunch at the park’s Canyon Inn (http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/inns/canyon/dining.html) restaurant, which offers a buffet.

Car Pool Info: Our car pool will be meeting along the west side of Bishop Chatard High School, which is on the corner of Kessler Boulevard and Crittenden Avenue, at 5885 Crittenden Avenue. The parking along the street is free on Saturdays. We’ll meet on the sidewalk at the school entrance front near the corner and leave at 8:15am. Please be on time.

Please note:

Car pool leaving @ 8:15am

Hike @ 10am

Terrain: Mainly moderate with some hills, creek crossings, and a lengthy stair climb

Length: 7 to 8 miles (around 2.5 to 3 hours)

See you on Saturday,

Michael