The Remote And Rugged Trail In Indiana That Will Lead You On A Grand Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published September 20, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is an awe-inspiringly diverse place – so much more than just corn, thank you very much. Personally, I am amazed every day at the enormous variety of landscapes one can find here. I never in my life expected Indiana to be such a fascinating place – but here we are. Take, for example, some of its awesome hiking trails, many of which rival some of the best-known hikes in places like Colorado or Montana. Some trails are nothing more than an amalgamation of other trails, like the one I’m going to explore with you today. The best hike near Heltonville, Indiana is a combination of trails old and new in the beautiful Deam Wilderness Area.
The John Grubb Ridge Loop is a delightfully challenging mashup of other trails, primarily the Grubb Ridge and Grubb Ridge Peninsula trails.
Be prepared for a tough time: this trail is often overgrown and requires some bushwhacking, and your feet are going to get wet, but it's absolutely worth it.
It's 6.6 miles in length, and you can take it in either direction (it's a loop).
Interestingly, the best time of year to come out and give it a shot is September through May, while most trails are in their prime during the spring and early-to-mid summer.
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For those who are willing to face the challenge, it's a rewarding trek - especially if you're like me and are, for whatever reason, fascinated by wild mushrooms.
You'll certainly come across a variety of them out here, but don't be foolish: do not eat a wild mushroom if you're not 500 percent sure of its identity. Some deadly species mimic the appearances of others, so just don't risk it. I cannot express this enough.
Thanks to the various "undesirable to most" features of the hike, the John Grubb Ridge Loop is one of the less-popular hiking trails in Indiana. Come out during the week or early in the morning and you're almost sure to have it to yourself!
The most rewarding part of the hike, I think, is the awesome views of Lake Monroe you get once you've climbed, whacked and waded your way to it.
The views this hike offers are definitely what makes it worth the effort. I definitely do not recommend it for those without navigation and bushwhacking experience (and I definitely suggest even those folks download a map of the trail before embarking).
Should you manage to get it right, it's worth every step.
Come out in the fall for a particularly amazing trek. What's better than a tough hike through beautiful woods? A tough hike through beautiful woods that just so happen to be ablaze with color.
For more information about this hike, including a downloadable map, definitely visit our friends at AllTrails (and consider a subscription to AllTrails+ if you’re a serious hiker).
What are your favorite challenging hikes in Indiana? Let me know in the comments!
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