On Saturday, December 16th, the Hoosier Hikers Council will continue work on a new trail at The Nature Conservancy’s Green’s Bluff Nature Preserve. When finished, this five mile loop trail will traverse shaded woodlands and open fields, and it will highlight streams, waterfalls, rock formations, and pollinator plantings. This will be a beautiful trail! The trail will be located on the southern section of Green’s Bluff, so please refer to the directions below to find out how to get to the worksite.

Please RSVP to hoosierhikerscouncil@gmail.com to let us know that you’re coming to the workday so we can plan enough lunch for all the workers. Please be aware that we unfortunately don’t have the resources to accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.

SR 43 has reopened south of Porter Ridge Road, but it is still closed north of Porter Ridge Road. If you’re coming from Bloomington, there won’t be a detour. If you’re coming from the north, you will still have to detour around the road closure, so you might consider going south to Bloomington and driving across 3rd St/SR 48 and coming up to Porter Ridge Road from the south.

Green’s Bluff is located west of Bloomington and south of McCormick’s Creek State Park in Owen County. We’ll be parking at a large powerline maintenance area that’s accessible from a smooth, flat, gravel driveway. To get to the worksite, take W Porter Ridge Road west from State Road 43. There’s a double-decker bus parked at the intersection of SR 43 and Porter Ridge Road. Go west about 0.5 miles to Green’s Bluff Road, a gravel road which will be on your right. Follow Green’s Bluff Road northwest for about 0.5 miles to Pawpaw Road, which is also gravel. Bear left onto Pawpaw Road and go about 0.3 miles. Go past a No Trespassing sign on a wooden post to a driveway on your left that leads to a green gate. There will be white flagging tape at the driveway and on the gate. Go through the gate and follow the gravel driveway about 0.4 miles through the woods until you emerge onto a large, flat parking area under the power lines.

Here’s a Google Map link to the driveway on Pawpaw Road: https://goo.gl/maps/TJPcD4E2gAFvTXi2A

We’ll meet at 9:00 am on Saturday, December 16th, and work until 3:00 pm. Please bring water and gloves. HHC will provide tools, training, and lunch.

A NOTE from The Nature Conservancy:
“The Nature Conservancy is so happy you are helping build a trail for visitors on our property. When you arrive for the workday, you’ll be asked to sign an annual TNC volunteer agreement, or you can request an electronic waiver to be signed in advance. To request an electronic waiver, please send an email to Esmé Barniskis <esme.barniskis@tnc.org>.
Thank you again from everyone at TNC!”