Hike This Ancient Forest In Indiana That’s Home To Centuries-Old Trees
By Tori Jane|Published July 29, 2022
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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.
Sometimes, you encounter something so breathtakingly unique that it’s hard to describe. There are many things in nature that can do this to us, like some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indiana, the most amazing beaches in Indiana, and, of course, the awe-inspiring old-growth forest in Indiana. A handful of spots remain where the trees are positively ancient and allowed to grow wild and free; of the more than 20 million acres of natural forest in Indiana, less than 2,000 of those acres are dedicated to old-growth woods. There are numerous excellent nature preserves in Indiana with some of these old-growth behemoths, and today we’d like to look at one in particular. Lace-up those hiking boots (again), because it’s time to trounce through some of Indiana’s most awe-inspiring woodlands.
The Shrader-Weaver Woods is a place so magical, you might just forget you're still in Indiana.
What makes it so special? Well, other than the incredible wildflower displays in the spring (in which there are so many different species of flowers present it's impossible to list them all), it's also home to some of the oldest-growth trees in the state.
Here, you'll find forest that was growing - and already mature - as far back as the Civil War, if not much further.
The trees here are all at least a couple centuries old; you'll encounter more than 25 acres of incredible old-growth forest, including some trees that are so big around that even a tall, fully-grown man won't be able to wrap his arms completely around them.
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Among the behemoths you'll encounter on your hike through the Shrader-Weaver Woods are the largest black walnut tree in all of Indiana, as well as old beech, black cherry, oaks, and maple.
Some of these trees are very heavily valued for their rarity and their wood, and it's a good thing they're protected on this land - otherwise, they would have likely been cut down ages ago by someone seeing dollar signs every time they looked at the trees.
It's open year-round, and each season has its pros and cons for visitors. Some folks insist spring, between April and May when the wildflowers are out en masse, is the best time to hike it. Others say autumn is thanks to the blaze of color on the preserve. Some even love it here in winter!
...no matter when you choose to come enjoy it, though, you're sure to be blown away by the sheer scale of these trees.
Another amazing perk to this breathtaking hike through old-growth forest in Indiana is the wildlife. You'll encounter all kinds of new critter friends along the trail, from reptiles and amphibians to birds and even several fascinating and rare insect species.
It is imperative that these old-growth forests - and everywhere, really - are well taken care of and respected.
After all, this forest has been alive longer than any human being on earth, and it definitely commands our respect and reverence. Pack lots of water and wear closed-toed, good hiking shoes - the path can get a little muddy sometimes.
For more information about this breathtaking preserve filled with majestic, old-growth forest in Indiana, be sure to visit the official Indiana Nature Conservancy website. Try to hug the 56-inch-around burr oak, or maybe the 34-inch-around black maple tree. One thing’s for sure: you’ll fall in love with this rugged landscape every single time you hike it.
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