Indian Bluff Trail

Continuing with our monthly series, "Adventures With Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure," we travel across the border to visit Indian Bluff Trail in Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.

Directions: Cross the Shawneetown, Illinois bridge on Rt 13 and the highway changes to Kentucky rt 109. Follow for 53 miles to Dawson Springs, Ky. Pick up 109 again in town and travel 10 miles to the park entrance road. Park at the lodge. The trail starts on the road to the right of the swimming pool.

The PNT trail will double with our trail for a while. Indian Bluff starts as a moderate climb thru Oak-Hickory forest and then levels off to a pretty, extensive cliff line. The trail passes thru a large shelter bluff and then descends to the valley floor and golf course entrance. Cross the road, continue on Clifty Creek Trail along the streambed. We travel along the base of a long ravine, dense vegetation, and fields of ferns. Go left to arrive to arrive at Pennyrile dam. Walk on top of the dam and ascend to your parking lot. Our journey was approx 1.5 mile.

There are 5 other trails in the park: descriptions suggest 4 are nature trails and 2 are strenuous. While in the area, we were in the Jones-Keeney Wildlife Area attempting to locate the natural bridge without success. Later, I am led to believe that one should go west on US 62 about 10 miles from town and turn at a cementary, ascend the road and look to the southeast of the plot. While traveling to the park, why not also visit Mantle Rock Nature Preserve (88 ft natural bridge): http://illinois.sierraclub.org/shawnee/unclebob/adventures.htm.

For further info, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net