O’Bannon Woods State Park - Indiana

 I hiked ~6 miles of semi-rugged southern Indiana trail during mid September. O'Bannon Woods State Park sits on the Ohio River just a few miles downstream from Louisville. The terrain is surprisingly rocky, and there are numerous sink holes and caves, several entrances which I believe I spotted. The hike occasionally made me feel as if I were back in northern California, and I swear I spotted black bear poop on the trail...which is not completely out of the question in this part of the state. Definitely a region I will be visiting again, plenty of trails to hike, rocks to scramble on, history to soak in, and possibly caves to explore. Map of the region can be found here.

Random Pictures from Alaska and California

Mendenhall Glacier viewed from McGinnis Mountain trail. Juneau, Alaska.

Gastineau Channel sits below Mount Jumbo on Douglas Island. Juneau, Alaska.

Sheep Mountain helipad and weather equipment. Juneau, Alaska.

Prairie Creek Redwoods hiking trail...one of the best in California.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Centerville Beach near Ferndale, California.

Redwood National Park.

Redwood National Park.

San Andreas Fault gouge rock. Lone Pine Canyon, California.

San Andreas Fault displaced rock and sediment from an historic earthquake. Trench located near Valyermo, California.

Another view of the San Andreas Fault strand near Valyermo, California.

Fault gouge rock, San Andreas Fault, Palmdale, California region.

View from Hudson Ranch Road as the San Andreas Fault transitions from mountainous terrain to the Carrizo Plain.

San Andreas Fault at the Carrizo Plain.

Northwest California Pacific Coast forest.

Northwest California Pacific Coast Forest.

Northwest California Pacific Coast forest.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Northwest California.

 

Turkey Run State Park - Indiana

 I hiked through Turkey Run State Park during mid August. The park is a bit of an anomaly compared to the relatively flat lands of central and northern Indiana. There is exposed rock, a bit of terrain to climb on, and flowing rushing water through fern filled canyons. I’ll take what I can get, if only the crowds filled with screaming children weren’t so overwhelming. Still, definitely a bucket list place to hit if you are in Indiana.