State Park number 27 in the books! I met my cousin and did the 8 mile Hell's Point Challenge at Pokagon State Park. It was fun to hike with someone for a change. Well maintained trails but some of the worst trail markings ever. So many intersections! Even with my All Trails app, we made several wrong turns. We had a great time though.

Only 7 to go!

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I hiked at Indiana State Park number 26 today at Chain O' lakes State Park. Lots of wild flowers in bloom on trail 12. I only did 3 miles today as I'm hiking the Hell's Point challenge tomorrow at Pokagon State Park.

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Anyone want to go for a swim? Remnants from the swimming pool at Rose Island's abandoned amusement park that closed in 1937. #CharlestownStatePark #HHC2023 #HoosierHikerChallenge2023

I knocked off another 2 State Parks and an SRA today. I hiked at Deam Lake SRA, Charlestown SP, and Falls of the Ohio SP. 11 total miles and 1,200 ft of elevation gain. My biggest daily total yet. All 3 parks are about a 1/2hr apart. I was planning to camp overnight but decided I would just come home instead.

That makes 23 Indiana State Parks and SRAs this year! 11 more to go.

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I didn't't expect to be hiking a driftwood trail today. I'm at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Indiana.

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Adventure complete! I camped overnight at Hardy Lake SRA and then did a short 1.7 mile hike at Clifty Falls State Park today. I had planned a bigger hike but Monday's hikes took a lot out of me. I decided to live to hike another day. Clifty Falls is amazing! I will be back for sure.

First time camping away from home with all my gear. I'm figuring out what works and what doesn't. I stayed warm and dry in my tent so I consider that a success.

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I hiked Starve Hollow SRA and Hardy Lake SRA today for a total of 8.6 miles. Starve Hollow had a 250ft steep incline that really kicked my butt. Camping at Hardy Lake tonight. I'm absolutely exhausted.

If I feel up to it tomorrow, I'm going to hike Cliffy Falls State Park.

I think that will get me to 20. 14 to go!

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I got in hike number 17 in today on the Blue Heron Trail at the Mississinewa Lake SRA. Only 2.5 miles and no elevation change. The only challenging part was the mud. I drove 1h45m one way for a 50 minute hike. I need to start planning these hikes better.

It was a pretty blah trail until I saw what I think was a bald eagle sitting in a nest. I'm pretty sure I could see it's white head with my naked eye but I couldn't zoom in enough with my camera.

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Indiana State Park number 16 today! I did a 5 mile loop at Spring Mill State Park. This might be my favorite State park so far. The trails were well groomed and lots to see. The water was up from recent rains. The best part was my feet didn't hurt! I felt like I could have hiked another 5 miles easy. Maybe I have my "state park legs".

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I finally got back out on the trails today after being sick the last couple weeks. We took the short hike to Wolf Cave at McCormick's Creek State Park. I tried to go in the cave with my youngest two girls but it was way too small for my claustrophobia. We let the girls go through together. It was very wet from the recent rains. I also had my first fall on some slick rocks. We all survived though.

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15 done and 20 to go!

My goal was to hike at all these State Parks and SRA's by the end of the year. At this rate, I'll be done before summer. 😀

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SRA / State Park number 15! Getting close to halfway through my challenge. Today I hiked the Pate Hollow Trail at the Paynetown SRA near Lake Monroe. Beautiful, well maintained trail. It was pretty dry considering all the rain we got on Friday. 6.5 miles and 883 ft of elevation change.

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State Park number 14 today! This time my oldest daughter came with me. We did parts of trails 1, 2, 4, and 3 at Turkey Run State Park. One of my favorite State Parks in Indiana and only 1 to 1 1/2 hrs west of Indy.

I think I've run out of nearby State Parks and SRA's. The rest will take a little more planning.

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State Park # 13 today! I experienced "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." I completed 4 ravines of the 6 ravine challenge at Shades SP. Then I got to a section that was closed on the way down to the Silver Cascade Falls. I didn't have the energy to try to go around.

Still a great hike! 5.5 miles of rugged terrain and over 700 feet of elevation change (including 3 ladders). Very challenging for this 260 pound middle aged guy. Lol

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I got one more hike in this week! I had to take advantage of this 60° plus weather in February. I hiked at Versailles State Park and did the Trail 3, 2, 1 loop at just under 6 miles. What a great hike! I really enjoyed this trail with 3 stream crossings early in the trail and some nice switchbacks on the bigger inclines... That makes four trails and 14 mi in the last 3 days. I'm tired!

My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year. #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023​

I managed to get in hikes 10 and 11 today! I hiked at Brookville Lake's Mounds SRA (Glidewell Trail) and Whitewater Memorial State Park (Memorial Loop Trail). I drove 2hrs to get there so I figured I should do both since they are only 15 minutes apart.

I enjoyed both trails. Well maintained with a few rolling hills. I even saw signs of beaver activity!

I'm now 1/3 of the way through my challenge! My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year. #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023​

I hiked at state park #9 today. I had a nice stroll along the Mount Summit trail at Summit Lake SP (trails 1 & 5). Despite the name, there was only about 59 feet of elevation change. 90% of the trail was a wide grassy path. There were a couple nice views of the lake & I heard what I think were turkeys off in the distance through much of the trail. It was a great warmup hike to start the week.

My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year. #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023​

I checked off another Indiana State Park today. I hiked trail 3 at Prophetstown State Park. That makes 8 so far this year! I'm way ahead of schedule.

I've really enjoyed the parks so far but not so much today. As my friend describes "it's basically a field they turned into a park". Lots of dog poop on the trail, a mountain biker on the hiking trail, and lots of road noise. On to the next.

My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year. #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023​

I hiked Indiana State Park #7 today at Brown County State Park. I did trail 8 that was built by the Hoosier Hikers Council. Nice scenic trail even in February. I went counterclockwise which meant going up 150 steps at one point. The AllTrails app helped me out a couple times when I tried to make a wrong turn. 4.5 miles total including the wrong turns.

My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year. I'm off to a good start! #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023

Hike #6 today at Raccoon SRA. I hit trail 4 (2.1m). The trail is one way so I had planned to hike it straight back. Just as I was finishing, it started raining and hailing. So, I took the main road back to my car. Luckily, I carried an emergency poncho.

On my way into the park a deer practically walked up to my car. No fear.

My goal is to hike at all of Indiana's SPs & SRAs this year.  Follow my challenge or join in at these Hashtags: #HoosierHikerChallenge2023 #HHC2023

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