There Are More Geological Wonders Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published March 17, 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 a state perfect for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. We kind of feel like it’s grossly underrated as a natural paradise, with 24 amazing state parks to explore and countless other hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. One such park is Shades State Park, which is home to numerous breathtaking hikes and potential adventures; let’s take a closer look at Trail #1, an incredible trek through some truly mind-bendingly radical geography whose geology is equal parts intriguing and spellbinding. Trail #1 at Shades State Park will bring out your inner adventurer, and it’s nothing short of epic. Check it out and tell us what you think:
Shades State Park used to be known as - get this - Shades of Death.
It's not exactly known why this was, but there are lots of theories, the most prevalent and accepted of which states that it was thanks to the black shade provided by the thick emerald canopy of trees. Nowadays, it sounds a lot friendlier - and much more like the paradise it is.
You have your pick from 10 different amazing trails, but Trail #1 is particularly special.
You'll begin your trek at a little wonder known as the Devil's Punchbowl (the first of many geological wonders along the way). From there, you'll meander through a creek bed (that may or may not contain water - prepare to get wet).
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Surrounding you, you'll see incredibly beautiful, tall canyon walls made of carved sandstone formed over millions of years by plentiful erosion.
The sheer size of the canyon's walls here are humbling; it's particularly breathtaking on the days when there's a light mist and a vague fog develops in the canyons, though we recommend a hike any time it's open (year-round!).
You'll find yourself in places too immensely pristine for words; it's a popular hike but if you show up early in the morning during the week, you might just have it to yourself for a little while.
Other than the Devil's Punchbowl and the extraordinary canyons and cliffs, you'll also encounter waterfalls (sometimes a trickle, others a steady flow), grottos, and even the occasional marine fossil (please do NOT collect them - it's both unethical and illegal).
Trail #1 at Shades State Park really, truly does seem to have it all.
It's a little rugged at times - like we said, you can usually expect wet, muddy earth beneath your feet thanks to Sugar Creek and its various veins - but we promise it's more than worth the effort.
Best of all, there are quite literally more geological wonders along this trail than there are miles, considering the trail is less than one mile in length and the wonders are all jam-packed into that small distance.
This is a hiking trail in Indiana you'll want to revisit again and again. If you've never done this one before, get ready to be amazed - and if you've done it before, we hope this was a wonderful reminder of just how amazing it is.
For more information about this absolutely breathtaking hike in Indiana, plus all the other options you’ve got, be sure to check out the official Shades State Park DNR website. What are some of your all-time favorite hikes in Indiana? Let us know in the comments – we love learning about your favorite places!
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