ChalupaCabras
Expert
Recently spent 3 days at Shades State park in Crawfordsville. The trails were amazing, but I'm one of those troublesome individuals that doesn't always stay on the trails.
After scurrying down an incline to take a better picture of a waterfall (against the advice of the signs), I endeavored to find another path back to the top of the cliff / ridge line where the easy trail was. It was extremely steep, and I should have went back the way I came. In any case, on my way up I came to a small ledge adjoining a nearly over grown trail, which was in fact the starting point of an Alpine style Via Ferrata. I followed this for a short while, snaking my way along the face of a limestone cliff before it became too hairy for me to continue without proper equipment.
My better judgement finally won out, and I went back the way I came and followed the over grown path back to the maintained hiking trail. Saw a sign that said something about trail being closed because of falling rocks (which is a regular problem with all rock climbing anyway... Like saying the pool is closed because it's wet, and you could drown ).
Anyone ever explored this section of the park, or has it been closed for 50 years? I have a fair bit of rope and climbing experience, and have a mind to return with a helmet and harness just to see where this path leads. Someone obviously put a LOT of time and effort into constructing this trail. It must go somewhere.
After scurrying down an incline to take a better picture of a waterfall (against the advice of the signs), I endeavored to find another path back to the top of the cliff / ridge line where the easy trail was. It was extremely steep, and I should have went back the way I came. In any case, on my way up I came to a small ledge adjoining a nearly over grown trail, which was in fact the starting point of an Alpine style Via Ferrata. I followed this for a short while, snaking my way along the face of a limestone cliff before it became too hairy for me to continue without proper equipment.
My better judgement finally won out, and I went back the way I came and followed the over grown path back to the maintained hiking trail. Saw a sign that said something about trail being closed because of falling rocks (which is a regular problem with all rock climbing anyway... Like saying the pool is closed because it's wet, and you could drown ).
Anyone ever explored this section of the park, or has it been closed for 50 years? I have a fair bit of rope and climbing experience, and have a mind to return with a helmet and harness just to see where this path leads. Someone obviously put a LOT of time and effort into constructing this trail. It must go somewhere.