Some say that the Hitz-Rhodehamel Woods Nature Preserve is one of Brown County’s best kept secrets.
The 512 acre preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy, is located just a few miles north of Nashville, Indiana off of State Road 135 on Freeman Ridge road.
This preserve offers all of the benefits of hiking in Brown County yet without all the crowds.
The preserve was established in 1985 with a gift of the first 108 acres donated by Harley and Evaline Rhodehamel.
In 2012 the Hoosier Hikers Council collaborated with The Nature Conservancy to build a three-mile trail that loops around the 512 acres of the preserve. This property is a mature oak forest in Brown County that has high ridges, streams, and some deep ravines. Typical Brown County hiking.
The trail can be challenging due to the steep terrain, and the fact that most hikes here end in an ascent back to the parking along Freeman Ridge Road. The three-mile loop hike consists of two long, 200-foot hills, some switchbacks, and lots of ravines. The actual name of the trail is the “Mary McConnell Nature Trail.”
She was the State Director for the Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy for more than 20 years.
It’s most certainly a beautiful place. I ventured over to Brown County late last summer to explore this preserve.
The temperature outside was hovering right around 70 degrees and the sun was actually shining in a beautiful blue sky.
I found the property and trailhead easily enough. It provided a nice wooden sign at the entrance. There was a small gravel road that lead to a parking lot and a nice screened-in shelter.
I started my hike with great anticipation of what the day might bring.
This landscape was filled with opportunities for great views of Brown County’s famous hills. The fall foliage had yet to turn into its full array of autumn colors, but I could see orange, red, and brown blending in with the green of summer!
The dirt path before me was well worn and covered by rocks, roots, and scattered leaves. The trail was marked well by the white blazes painted on the trees that I passed.
I found myself going down a rather large hill. I knew this meant that I would eventually have to climb back up to the top. It was a happy trade off for being in this wonderful Indiana forest.
At the bottom of the very steep hill, I came across a small stream. The stream was dry but very photogenic. The woods around me were quiet with exception of the occasional sound of a Pileated Woodpecker drilling into a tree. It was eerie as I followed the switchbacks up and down the hills and ravines on the trail. I walked quietly enjoying the silence of the forest.
It certainly was an adventure. The trail crossed over the road where I hiked along a ridge for a while. Then around a corner, another hill to descend. This trail definitely lived up to its reputation for being difficult to hike.
I eventually made my way back to the parking lot and the car. I had another memorable day in nature in a beautiful but challenging forest.
It was a good day and a great hike!
To get to this place: From Bloomington take S.R. 46 east for 19 miles to Nashville. Turn left (north) on S.R. 135 and travel approximately four miles to Greasy Creek Road, turning right and immediately going left onto Freeman Ridge Road. Continue for 1.4 miles and look for a wooden preserve sign on the left side of the road. Follow a gravel drive off the north side of Freeman Ridge Road to a small parking area. A trail head is located on the far east side of the parking area.
A quote for your week: “We need the tonic of wildness” – Henry David Thoreau – American Naturalist, Essayist, Philosopher. 1817-1862
Until the next trail,
Susan Anderson is a resident of Owen County who enjoys hiking and backpacking and writes a weekly column about her experiences. Readers can reach her via email at saanders@hotmail.com or on Instagram @farsideoftheedge.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Brown County’s Best Kept Secret: The Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve
Reporting by Susan Anderson, for the Herald-Times, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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