#23hike of my 2022 52 Hike Challenge
Trail/Park: Tree Line Trail, Fort Harrison State Park, Lawrence, IN
This hike took place on the traditional territory of the Myaamia, Kaskaskia, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo). I respect the histories, languages and cultures of these peoples, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant and changing communities. Join me in learning more about the tribes and these lands, by following the links provided.
Trash Collected: 0.2 pounds
Sometimes all you need is an hour and good company to have an outdoor adventure. It doesn’t need to be logging a ton of miles. The location doesn’t need to be an iconic one. Finding a trail and following it can be the best kind of adventure. Maybe even a microadventure.
This little hike wasn’t long, but it was great because it was an unexpected opportunity to share time with family in a way I love connecting. Neither of us had been to this park so going was an adventure in itself. Fort Harrison State Park is located just northeast of Indianapolis. Neither of us had researched the park other than where it was located. So the adventure was simply deciding to go.
We paid the fee at the entrance gate, got a map and decided to hike the short Tree Line Trail which skirts the Millennium Grove Picnic Area. The afternoon was heating up so we took a slow roll on the wide, grassy trail. Nestled up next to the hardwood forest, shady spots were we a welcome reprieve from the sun and helped make the heat tolerable. A honey locust tree caught my eye with its trunk sporting green thorns. I hadn’t ever seen one despite the fact they are native to the central U.S. Slowing down gave me the opportunity to see both familiar and unfamiliar plants and trees.
Eventually the loop headed back toward the Visitor Center which is housed near the historic fort buildings. We learned the spot had been used regularly between WWII and Desert Storm as a marshaling location for troops. I was able to easily imagine the tents set up on the concrete pads and grass, much like the tent city I’d experienced on my visit to Philmont Scout Ranch back in 2015. We explored further learning about the history the fort played as an arsenal for Federal troops during the Civil War. Tracts of land around the arsenal had been set aside by the government and not developed. Those same areas now provide the trails and spaces for visitors to use for outdoor pursuits including hiking and mountain biking.
We didn’t spend a long time at the park because of the heat, but both agreed a return visit on a cooler day would be a great way to to continue to explore the park. I’m looking forward to another time to check out the park’s other trails.
Next Post Preview: Back in Minnesota I check out a trail I’ve heard good things about tucked in the bottoms of the Zumbro River and shared with four legged friends.
GEAR: Marmot Kompressor Pack, Merrell Women’s Siren 3 Mid Waterproof,
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket, Kula Cloth, Leki Women’s Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA trekking poles.
Want to know more about my gear selections? Head on over to Gear & Gadgets or check out my posts titled “Gear in Review”.
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