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Hoosier National Forest

Best Hiking Trails in Hoosier National Forest

112 reviews


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  • Hiking Trails (36)
  • Reviews (112)
  1. 1
    lakeside via Peninsula Trail and Grubb Ridge Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.6 mi
  2. 2
    Sycamore Loop Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 5.8 mi
  3. 3
    Tower Blackwell Lake via Tower Ridge Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.2 mi
  4. 4
    Wilkerson Hill via Nebo Ridge and Nebo Ridge Trail
    ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 8.1 mi
  5. 5
    Patton Cave via Grubb Ridge Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.2 mi
  6. 6
    Hickory Ridge Horse Camp Loop via 4513.010
    ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.8 mi
  7. 7
    Lake Monroe via Grubb Ridge Loop and Peninsula Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 7.4 mi
  8. 8
    Sycamore Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.7 mi
  9. 9
    Amy Weingartner Branigan Peninsula Preserve Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.0 mi
  10. 10
    Hickory Ridge Trail 19
    ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.6 mi
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    old runner 2 years, 1 month ago
    Track (4/22/24, 10:13:32AM)Mo Mogan Ridge west to highway. 70
    Hike was uneventful. Route was easy to follow. Fairly hilly as we chose to go counterclockwise. Only one water crossing that was easily crossed. Temp was fine and trail was clear of brush.
    ★ ★ ★

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    sldurgin31 2 years, 2 months ago
    Overnight backpack to Lake Monroe via the Peninsula Trail.
    Very peaceful. Gorgeous sunset. 5 deer and a garter snake.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FreeWood1914 2 years, 6 months ago
    Hickory
    Overall quite nice. Water is hit or miss so make sure so pack in water for this hike. Not a lot of elevation and is an easy trip for a day hike or one-nighter.
    ★ ★ ★

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    SageHolly9073 2 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/24/23, 9:28:42AM)
    This was a fantastic fall colors hike starting at Blackwell Campground on the west end. We rode down the Grubb Ridge trail to the Hayes trail junction. A stray dog followed us as she did the prior day. Colors were spectacular and the fall weather was perfect. The Hayes trail is spectacular and all were well maintained. Could not have picked a better morning. Praise be to God!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Mike Payne 3 years, 4 months ago
    Hemlock cliffs some caves and arrowhead arch
    Great hike mostly off trail. Beautiful box canyons and cliffs
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SteepKayak1796 3 years, 5 months ago
    Track (11/25/22, 10:08:16AM)
    Great gravel road ride.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    LongShore9602 3 years, 7 months ago
    National Forest Road Loop
    Group of friends went and we all enjoyed 😀 We will return.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EpicDune2879 3 years, 8 months ago
    Arch, Double Falls, Yellow Birch Ravine Trails. 9/25/22, 11:38:37AM)
    One of my favorite places to explore. Beautiful peaceful place.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EpicDune2879 3 years, 8 months ago
    Birthday at Hemlock Cliffs (9/25/22, 1:53:15PM)
    This place is gorgeous. So many places to explore. Never enough time in the day to do it right.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    AgileStar4362 4 years, 1 month ago
    Hays Trail Donaldson Cave Grubb Ridge
    Wonderful for April wildflowers.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SweetTrail5390 4 years, 4 months ago
    Track (12/29/21, 12:50:16PM)
    Tough hike out. Going in, we went to the right. Up hill for a while but it went pretty quick. Went off trail to find a campsite near Lake Monroe. Found 3 sites. None really flat but we made it work. Trash around (we picked up). Someone left a ridge line tied to two trees that I used for my tarp set up. Hiking out we finished the loop. It was brutal. Really tough. A lot of up hill. Seen a lot of trail users. Trail runners, day hikers, dog walkers. Saw and area on the way out that was in a valley and really beautiful with a healthy river flowing through it. If I go back, I would go LEFT and work my way to the river (about 2 miles in). Then go off trail along the river bank to set up a camp.
    ★ ★ ★

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    ActiveRose5382 4 years, 9 months ago
    Track (12/20/20, 11:33:04AM)
    Very easy downhill and low grades. Getting back into it after coming off an ankle injury and this was perfect for it.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    WarmTornado6584 4 years, 10 months ago
    Hickory Ridge Trail 1 to Hickory Ridge Horse Camp, Pleasant Run, IN, USA
    Trails are well maintained. Secluded trails with good views. Trail is good for beginners to advanced riders.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    NyxHurley 4 years, 11 months ago
    Hemlock Cliffs
    Ok.
    ★ ★ ★

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    CannyLeaf2931 5 years ago
    Sycamore Trail
    This was my first time at Hoosier National Forest - Deam Wilderness. The Sycamore Loop trail was awesome. I loved that you go through several different environments in one hike. There were a few spots that took us off trail a bit to explore the creek and camp sites so our hike was just over 8 miles instead of the 6 something advertised - LOL!
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    OldBike7224 5 years ago
    Wilkerson Hill via Nebo Ridge and Nebo Ridge Trail
    Was a perfect day to hike.It rained yesterday but today the trail was mostly dry and good. It had a few spots that had a little mud but all in all it was a very good hike. The woods are still open enough to see a long way in the woods. The trail is a pleasure to hike. We met several bike riders but only one hiker. One in our group wants to come back and ride it with his mountain bike, This trail is a great warmup ride for the bike.We only did a one way hike. We left a vehicle at the southern lot and took the other vehicle to the northern lot. Made our hike then went back to get the other vehicle. It was such a great day that we went slow and enjoyed the trail and the woods. The trail did not need blazes. You can follow it with out any. This is a good trail to take families. You can make shorter hikes if you want because the trail comes close to the road at about half way thru. We met one Turkey Hunter who was on his way out. He said the Turkey activity was great this morning.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Eric Surface 5 years ago
    PENINSULA TRAIL SESH
    First gear test
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HugeStove6338 5 years, 2 months ago
    lakeside via Peninsula Trail and Grubb Ridge Loop
    Easy hike, great campsites along the lake at the end for overnights.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Randall Kaiser 5 years, 4 months ago
    Saddle Lake Loop
    Nice, easy hike. Trail not extremely well marked but easy to follow.
    ★ ★ ★

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    whoopacan_overland 5 years, 6 months ago
    Indiana Overland Fall 2020
    There are some wonderful Forrest roads in the HNF.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HardBoulder6615 5 years, 11 months ago
    Lake Monroe via Amy Weingartner Branigan Peninsula Preserve Trail
    It would have been nice to be alerted that this trail is closed on weekends and holidays. We traveled for an hour and a half to discover this ourselves. Thanks!
    ★

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    Julie Cabral 5 years, 11 months ago
    The lost trail
    Fun trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tomcj 6 years ago
    Exploring Roads at German Ridge
    Most roads currently gated off; very few good spots for dispersed camping
    ★ ★ ★

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    tomcj 6 years ago
    Branch Trail by HNF Camp Site
    Just a nice walk from our not-so-great dispersed camp site on a branch trail in the German Ridge area of the Hoosier National Forest; returned on County Road 3.
    ★ ★ ★

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    mrnickzel 6 days, 5 hours ago
    Saturday Morning Activity hikr
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TheDogsWeed 2 months, 2 weeks ago
    Track (3/8/26, 2:06:53PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HungryRain9241 3 months, 1 week ago
    Saturday Lunch Hiking
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TameXC-Ski2120 7 months, 1 week ago
    Track (10/17/25, 12:22:14PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Mark Ballman 7 months, 3 weeks ago
    Two Lakes Loop Loop
    ★

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    MistyGlade8433 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Saturday Morning Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Henry 1 year ago
    Hayes Trail to Grubb Ridge Trail
    ★ ★ ★

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    Glenn Lawyer 1 year ago
    Saturday Lunch Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Tami Snodgrass 1 year, 1 month ago
    Friday Morning Activity
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TameXC-Ski2120 1 year, 2 months ago
    Track (3/11/25, 10:52:49AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    RoughAspen5443 1 year, 8 months ago
    Saturday Morning Hiking
    ★

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    VastRedwood2646 1 year, 9 months ago
    National Forest Road Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    PeppySwimCap6326 1 year, 9 months ago
    Sycamore Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    StrongIceAxe8609 1 year, 9 months ago
    Fork Ridge Trail A
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    PKon 2 years ago
    Celina Interpretive Trail
    ★ ★ ★

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    SassyHail3556 2 years ago
    National Forest Road Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    RoughSpruce8470 2 years, 1 month ago
    Hays trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    RareThicket3554 2 years, 1 month ago
    FIRSTBOVERNIGHT HIKE
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FizzySki6044 2 years, 1 month ago
    Track (3/30/24, 10:40:20AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    old runner 2 years, 2 months ago
    Two Lakes Loop Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    RareThicket3554 2 years, 2 months ago
    Full cave loop with Aaron
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mchapman42078 2 years, 2 months ago
    Roosting
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    LightGoggles7386 2 years, 6 months ago
    Tower Blackwell Lake Loop via Grubb Ridge Loop and Peninsula Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SimpleRaceBib9010 2 years, 7 months ago
    6-7-11-new 13
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Glenn Lawyer 2 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/1/23, 12:24:35PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    GentleFir8357 2 years, 8 months ago
    Campsite 9 via Axsom Branch Trail and Terrill Ridge Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    PureSpring4267 2 years, 11 months ago
    Failed Deam because of water filter
    ★ ★ ★

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    Tyler Stinson 3 years ago
    Hemlock Cliffs Trail 1
    ★ ★ ★

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    Jim Brown 3 years, 1 month ago
    Hemlock Cliffs Recreation Area, Union, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Kimberly Dickerson 3 years, 3 months ago
    Terrill pond
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    DarkLaurel6680 3 years, 3 months ago
    Roger’s history hike at Hemlock Cliffs with Tri-State
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ChillyLamp5644 3 years, 5 months ago
    Charles C Deam wilderness hike (11/4-11/6/22)
    ★ ★ ★

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    FreeTent8542 3 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/9/22, 10:07:05AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FreeTent8542 3 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/8/22, 9:39:52AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EpicDune2879 3 years, 8 months ago
    Saturday hike at Buffalo Trace 2 & 3 (9/24/22, 9:31:44AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Tyler Stutsman 3 years, 10 months ago
    CDW Snake Strike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BrightRainbow3601 4 years ago
    Track (5/13/22, 10:12:35AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BrightRainbow3601 4 years ago
    Track (5/12/22, 3:08:43PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SageBeach6579 4 years ago
    Lake Monroe via Grubb Ridge Loop and Peninsula Trail
    ★

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    Allyson Moyer 4 years, 1 month ago
    Shakedown Weekend 1
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HighRaceBib4881 4 years, 2 months ago
    H N F 2
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BoldMaple1963 4 years, 3 months ago
    National Forest Road Loop
    ★

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    SlimIsland1607 4 years, 4 months ago
    Parking for Grubb Ridge Trail Head to Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Polk Township, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ArtsySpruce4336 4 years, 5 months ago
    SR 58
    ★ ★

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    whoopacan_overland 4 years, 5 months ago
    Terrill Cemetery, Washington to Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, Polk, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Randall Kaiser 4 years, 7 months ago
    Patton Cave via Grubb Ridge Loop
    ★ ★

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    billkrogrensgoat 4 years, 8 months ago
    Young’s Creek (9/5/21, 08:13:55)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SoftMap3079 4 years, 9 months ago
    Track (4/24/21, 12:45:34PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Matthew McClellan 4 years, 11 months ago
    Nebo with Ross
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Hoosierhiker95 5 years ago
    Parking for Grubb Ridge Trail Head to Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Polk, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★

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    VastSki1878 5 years ago
    Tower Blackwell Lake via Tower Ridge Road
    ★ ★

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    SoftBelay2730 5 years, 1 month ago
    Track (4/23/21, 7:07:11AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SweetYoga2473 5 years, 2 months ago
    Track (3/28/21, 12:54:32PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    WildWBottle6212 5 years, 2 months ago
    Track (3/13/21, 1:44:49PM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 5 years, 2 months ago
    Charles C. Deam Wilderness Site 19
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 5 years, 3 months ago
    Patton Cave
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SnowyMoon6183 5 years, 4 months ago
    McPike Branch Road to Me Pike Pond, Pleasant Run Township, IN, USA
    ★

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    Randall Kaiser 5 years, 4 months ago
    Yellow Birch Ravine East
    ★ ★ ★

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    SoftBelay2730 5 years, 4 months ago
    Track (1/14/21, 10:36:03AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EarlySage2079 5 years, 5 months ago
    Sycamore Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Lydia Sparling 5 years, 5 months ago
    Untitled layer_Elkinsville
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SweetRain2445 5 years, 6 months ago
    Track (11/21/20, 11:07:33AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SilentTrail6174 5 years, 6 months ago
    second day
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    임성근 5 years, 7 months ago
    Two Lakes Loop Loop
    ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 5 years, 8 months ago
    Saddle Lake Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    WildWetland6750 5 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/2/20, 1:07:08PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Paul 5 years, 9 months ago
    National Forest Road Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    WildWetland6750 5 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/2/20, 1:07:08PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ERG42M2d 5 years, 10 months ago
    Track (5/30/20, 10:35:08AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TinyPeak3132 5 years, 11 months ago
    lakeside via Peninsula Trail and Grubb Ridge Loop
    ★

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    Eric 6 years ago
    Two Lakes Loop Loop
    ★ ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 6 years ago
    Blackwell Horsecamp Road, Polk Township, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    EasyGlade4189 6 years ago
    Track (4/19/20, 2:05:21PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 6 years, 1 month ago
    Axsom Ridge Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cole 6 years, 1 month ago
    Terrell Ridge Trail to pond camp site
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Michael Monday 6 years, 1 month ago
    Tower Blackwell Lake Loop via Grubb Ridge Loop and Peninsula Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cole 6 years, 1 month ago
    Terrell Ridge Trail to pond camp site
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    SoftLily5206 6 years, 2 months ago
    .15 to .65, Salt Creek Township, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cameron Scott 6 years, 3 months ago
    Trail 4 Patoka Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ken Horstman 6 years, 4 months ago
    lakeside via Peninsula Trail and Grubb Ridge Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    BrightDune6080 6 years, 5 months ago
    Track (12/29/19, 11:39:47AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ClearIceAxe2858 6 years, 6 months ago
    Hike Out Charles C Deam Wilderness
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ClearIceAxe2858 6 years, 6 months ago
    Hike In Charles C Deam
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Angie 6 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/13/19, 1:52:54PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    FullShore3570 6 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/6/19, 8:30:17AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Overland Omnivore 6 years, 9 months ago
    Patoka Lake Overland Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    billkrogrensgoat 6 years, 11 months ago
    Grubb Ridge Loop and Peninsula Trail , Polk Township, IN, USA
    ★ ★ ★

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    OldMeadow1106 7 years ago
    ★ ★ ★