It is late April on a perfect weather day that I decided to visit Turkey Run, my favorite Indiana State Park when I was growing up. I was always impressed with the canyons cut through the limestone but I was worried that those canyons might seem smaller and less significant now that I am returning as an old man. But no, the park was all that I remembered it to be and even better hiking it on a perfect spring day. I will reference the trail map for perspective about my hiking path. I started at the Turkey Run Lodge which I have stayed at with my family back in the 90’s.

First I hiked down to Sunset Point past the Lieber Cabin, the best overlook of Sugar Creek

But the best trails are accessed via the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek.

The first trail leading from the suspension bridge is #10 that takes you up through one of the deeper canyons but ends up with a narrow trail up a creek bed. I actually decided that this portion of the trail was too dangerous for an old guy and I turned around to take on the next trail option.

I next took on trail #3 that skirted the rocks near Sugar Creek heading over to the Ice Box. This is also where I started to experience the hundreds of steps that contributed to the overall day’s exercise.

I kept to the Creek by continuing on trail #5 and may more steps.

I decided to continue on to trail #9 to go up Falls Canyon and then over to Boulder Canyon.

Boulder Canyon reminded me of boulder jumping that you need to do on Pacific coastal hikes.

I hiked back down trail #5 to then go up to the Ladders portion of the park.

At the top of the ladders I proceeded on trail #3 crossing the upper trail #10 that I backed off from earlier.

At this point in the day I was feeling the miles and the vertical that I had hiked and I was ready to work my way back to the suspension bridge.

It was a great return to Turkey Run, probably the park that first helped me appreciate the wonders of hiking in the wilderness.