A Hiker's Path: Greene-Sullivan State Forest is a water lover's wonderland

I recently got to some spend time at one of Indiana’s beautiful state forests. The Greene-Sullivan State Forest was founded in 1936 when various coal companies donated more than 3,000 acres of property to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.

That was just the beginning. Now the forest boasts of almost 9,000 acres of beautiful woodland and rolling hills dotted with more than 120 lakes, making it one of the most unique forests in Indiana.

The sky was overcast and the air had a chill to it the day I drove to the Greene-Sullivan State Forest. It had been awhile since I had visited this place and I was all about an afternoon of exploration.

I was drawn to the place because of it’s many, scenic lakes. The property is also close to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. This made it a good chance for me to hopefully see some geese or ducks or some other type of waterfowl.

Wetland areas make a good habitat for all types of wildlife. There were so many lakes to explore. Some of them were once strip mines; others had been farm ponds.

There were lots of pine and cedar trees around many of the lakes. I think the lakes were the biggest draw for me. It's a great place to be if you like being around bodies of water.

After I arrived at the forest area, I was hard pressed to decide which lake to hike at first. I finally chose a 1-mile trek around Reservoir 26. The trail follows the perimeter of the reservoir, which was built for one of the local mines before it was acquired by the state.

I parked my car in the small parking lot and took off on the grassy path around the reservoir. The landscape around me was beautiful. The dark green color of the scattered cedars combined with the earth tone colors of the winter foliage around the lake made a striking contrast to the gray, cloudy sky above me.

Winter in an Indiana wetland never disappoints.

The air was crisp and I could smell the fragrance of damp wood and cedar.

It was very quiet along the water's edge, with the exception of the occasional sound of Canada geese flying by overhead. It was a very peaceful hike.

It didn’t take long for me to move on to my next chosen path of the day: Wampler Lake. This lake covers 80 acres and has a maximum depth of 38 feet.

There wasn’t a designated trail, but I had a nice walk across the causeway and along small footpaths around the lake. While walking down a grassy path, I came across evidence that a beaver had been in the area. A small tree had fallen into the water after being sufficiently gnawed in half.

Fresh cuttings.

I had only taken a few steps past the fallen tree when I heard a sudden splash. Looking over to the lake beside me, I saw a beaver swimming away from where I was standing. Nature’s engineers.

Another happy moment for this hiker.

This lake was very scenic with small inlets and islands. A campground was right along the edge of the lake with many nice campsites. I made a mental note to return to this spot.

I paused to view the other smaller lakes, and before I knew it, it was time to leave.

It was time well spent. I truly enjoyed my saunter about this wetland and forest area.

It’s free to visit the state forest and other activities include fishing, picnicking, wildlife watching, camping, and hunting. Hikers are encouraged to wear hunter orange while hiking the trails during hunting season.

To get to this place: from Ind. 67, turn west on Ind. 54, through Linton, to Ind. 159. Go south on Ind. 159 to the forest office. There you can get a map of the forest.

A quote for your week: “I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.” — Hamlin Garland, American novelist, poet, essayist, 1860-1940

Until the next trail, Susan

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hiker treks around a few of Greene-Sullivan State Forest's lakes