Hickory Ridge Horse Camp

We have had torrential and consistent rain in the Midwest, but there were to be four relatively warm, dry days forecast, so we decided to fill up Savannah and head south to the hills near Bloomington IN.
The Hickory Hills Horse Camp is about 20 minutes from Blackwell Horse Camp where we have camped before. There are no reservations and no fees (unless you want to ride your horse on the trails) and very few people. The sites are far apart with rails for tying up horses, a picnic table, and a fire ring. There is a large pit toilet shared by all.

After arriving on Friday afternoon we spent time collecting firewood, which David split.

Saturday we took a 2 -mile loop trail (Trail 8, to 2, to 7) which took us down by s stream. There were a few wildflowers in the flood plain, but spring is being slow to arrive. Redbud and dandelions are in bloom along with a few violets (both yellow and purple) and spring beauties. The trail was a bit muddy and has been seriously eroded on the hills. There are two or three trees down across the trail. Dinner was a steak (cooked perfectly over the fire), potatoes, onions, and a salad. There have been a few riders passing through.

Day 2, Sunday, we took a 2.5 mile hike that turned out to be 3.2 miles (Trail 3, to 11, to 1). Part of trail 3 was really terrible. Erosion and horse traffic had turned it into a muddy gully now filled with leaves. At times the leaves were nearly up to my knees. It was a long slog with muddy holes under the leaves made by the horses, but the rest of the trail was great. It took us along one ridge, down into the valley where we walked along the stream, and then up to another ridge and back to the van. Today we saw blooming periwinkle, trout lilies, and phlox. Dinner was hamburger with basin, sweet and white potatoes, onions, and beets.

Day3, Monday we hiked a 3.3 mile loop (Trail 6, to 2, to 7). The up and down part on trail 2 was slow going because of erosion, but not as bad as yesterday. However, since Janet is a slow walker, we didn’t make it back to the van before the rain started. Not uncomfortable though since it was quite warm — upper 60s. As I navigate the muddy, leaf filled gullies, I can’t help wondering what the horses think of them. Today there have been riders we have seen in the campground, but we have yet to encounter any on the trails.

Tomorrow we head home.

-- Janet (text) and David (photos)