Shades State Park Trail #2

DJ  Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Adventure Review

We took a hike on Trail #2 at Shades State Park on September 5, 2010.  This park is near Waveland, Indiana, which is about 1 hour west of Indianapolis.  Entrance fees to the park are $5 per car for residents and $7 for non-residents.

The trail is classified as Rugged/Very Rugged and is 1.25 miles long.  The trailhead is clearly marked by a sign which says Lover’s Leap & Trail #2.  The trail begins to the right of the sign.  Near the trailhead you can take the trail to the left or the right.  Since the trail is a loop trail, we hiked to the right.  The trail is well marked with signage and easy to follow.  There are approximately 10 sets of stairs that you must navigate on the trail.  A long and steep set of stairs is next to Steamboat Rock.  The trail navigates you through mature stands of trees, up and down ravines, across and along creeks.  You will get muddy and possibly a bit wet on this trail.  Watch your step as you travel along the creek, it can be slippery at times.

Features along the trail are a Maidenhair Falls, scenic views in the woods, and sandstone cliffs along the creek bed.  We enjoyed this hike and would recommend it to others.  However, there are 3 things we would caution people about.

1. This is a tough hike for kids under 5 years old.  There are lots of stairs to climb and descend.  Rocks and soil in the creek bed are slippery and muddy.
2. Sugar Creek is within view when you arrive at Steamboat Rock.  The problem is that hikers are prohibited from nearing the creek due to park boundary limitations.  This was disappointing as we would like to have gotten some pictures of the stream.
3. There are a few steps that are in need of repair on a couple of the staircases.  Be sure to watch your step and not the scenery while on stairways.

One good tip:  If you take the trail left at the trailhead you will travel down the steep staircase and up the creek bed.  If you take the trail to the right at the trailhead you will travel down the creek bed and up the steepest staircase.

The weather for our hike was 70 degrees,sunny, with low humidity.

Below is a link to Indiana DNR about Shades State Park.  It will provide you with the address for the park, phone number, and other details.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2970.htm

Here is the park brochure that describes the trails and gives you a overhead view of  the trails.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/shades_trail.pdf