Next we drove to Historic Mansfield Roller Mill and Mansfield Covered Bridge. It was a beautiful day so there were quite a few people out including some swimmers who were having fun in the rapids area.
Here is a picture of the waterfalls near the mill.
Waterfalls
(Continuing from previous post)
Around 11am we finished hiking and decided it was a bit too early for lunch. We decided to drive to the Narrows Covered Bridge. Technically, the bridge is in Turkey Run State Park but it is on the eastern border so we could exit the park and drive by. A new parallel bridge is part of the current road and the Narrows Covered Bridge is now part of the hiking trails in Turkey Run State Park.
Narrows Covered Bridge
For lunch we returned to the Turkey Run Inn. This was our third meal at the Inn so we were prepared for the large portions and managed to order a bit less so we didn’t have leftovers.
After resting in our room, we went back to the Nature Center to see the 2pm planetarium presentation. The planetarium was small but there were only about a dozen of us so we were able to sit near the middle.
After the planetarium presentation we returned to the Inn and hiked Trails 6 and 7. It was a quick descent into the canyon.
On the way to Turkey Run Hollow
Turkey Run Hollow
Near Turkey Run Hollow
More great scenery
Mysterina hiking near some cool rocks
More great scenery
Hiking in the canyon
Crossing the stream
Climbing the stairs out of the canyon
Trail 7
Overlooking the Sugar Creek River
Nearing the end of the loop for Trail 7
Mysterina loved the sand patterns left by the moving water
Returning back the way we had come on Trail 6
Notice the water trickling down
Sadly there wasn’t a letterbox here
Since we had hiked over 5 miles so far, we next decided to drive to a covered bridge in the area and visit one or more communities in the area. That will have to wait until my next post.
(Continuing from our previous post.)
The next day we woke early. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the Inn and then hit the trails again. Today we planned to do a lot of hiking in the morning. Mysteryas really wanted to do the trail with ladders so we went there first to avoid any possible crowd. Thankfully the trails were not busy at all so we really enjoyed exploring the canyons and experiencing nature.
From the suspension bridge, we traveled west along Trail 3.
West of suspension bridge
Looking out to Sugar Creek River
Looking down to the other part of trail 3. We had traveled this section earlier yesterday and would end the morning there.
Looking out to Spring Creek River
Looking east down the Sugar Creek River
Small bridge across a crevice
Looking up from the small bridge
Ice Box
Entering the canyon
Continuing into the canyon
Mini waterfall coming down into the canyon
Approaching last ladder, water falling down next to us
Climbing up the last ladder
Continuing on north on Trail 3
Mysteryas was thrilled to climb the ladders. Done with that portion of the trail we decided to hike to Camel’s Back on trail 10. The scenery along the way wasn’t nearly as impressive as trail 3 but the lookout point was nice.
Lookout at Camel's Back
Departing Camel’s Back we continued along Trail 10 and eventually met up with Trail 3 again.
Near the end of Trail 10
Entering canyon area again
Time to get our feet wet again
Approaching Punch Bowl
Entering Punch Bowl
Inside the Punch Bowl
From above the Punch Bowl looking down
Continuing to Wedge Rock
Mysterina and Mysteryas enjoying the view
Our hiking boots get damp again but the scenery makes it worthwhile
Almost to Wedge Rock
Wedge Rock from above and behind
After about 3 miles of hiking (including some diversions) we left the Nature Preserve. More to come.
(continuing from previous entry)
After stopping at the Turkey Run Nature Center, we decided to explore a little bit of the Rocky Hollow Falls Canyon Nature Preserve. We were planning to do a lot more hiking the next day but we wanted to get a feel for the trails so we could be better prepared.
As we approached the suspension bridge to enter the nature preserve, we saw this sign for the gulch to our right:
Newby Gulch sign
The next series of photos is the suspension bridge and our family crossing it.
Our family approaching the suspension bridge
Mysteryas crossing the bridge
Looking east from the suspension bridge
Looking west from the suspension bridge
Crossing the suspension bridge, looking east
North end of suspension bridge
Since we only had an hour we knew we wouldn’t get too far. We chose to hike to Wedge Rock. We hoped we might get to Punch Bowl but we decided not to go quite that far since we weren’t wearing our hiking boots.
Hiking north along trail 3
Trail 3 near the suspension bridge
Our shoes got a little muddy as we walked through this canyon.
Continuing north on Trail 3
Not too far along the trail, we arrived at Wedge Rock.
Wedge Rock
Continuing north beyond Wedge Rock…
Around the bend from Wedge Rock
North of Wedge Rock
At this point we turned around and returned to the Nature Center and then Turkey Run Inn for checkin and an early dinner. After dinner we left the park for nearby Cox Ford Covered Bridge.
Cox Ford Covered Bridge (looking north)
Interior of Cox Ford Covered Bridge
Cox Ford Bridge crossing Sugar Creek River (looking northeast)
Both in and out of Turkey Run State Park we saw some Virginia Bluebells.
Virginia Bluebells near Turkey Run State Park
Earlier this week we took a short vacation to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. Turkey Run State Park is near Marshall Indiana (west of Indianapolis, almost to the Illinois border).
We arrived at the park around 2:30 in the afternoon and walked from the Inn to the Nature Center. What follows is a few of the photos taken along the trail (photographed by Mysterina).
Between Inn and Nature Center
Play Structure near Turkey Run Inn
Pavilion near Turkey Run Nature Center
water fountain
more to come in a new post.
