Central Indiana Wilderness Club Trip Schedule

February 2010 Trips

Winter Backpack, Hoosier National Forest, Southern District
February 6-7, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $35, Deposit: $35
Cancellation Date: January 29

We will return to a popular Hoosier National Forest destination; the Two Lakes Loop Trail. The plan is to meet south of Indy and drive down early on a Saturday morning. The total planned hiking distance will be about 15.7 miles; and our planned camp location will be about half way around the loop, so figure on 7 to 8 miles each day. This will be a good trip to not only start the year but to check out your winter gear and cold weather preparedness. The forest is a special place in the winter, and we always have a great evening campfire experience not to mention great meals. Although we plan to hike together as a group, each hiker will be given a trail map and be expected to follow a safety plan. If we finish early enough on Sunday we can perhaps take an interesting side trip. Included in the trip price is van transportation, use of club equipment and two meals (Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast). Meals on the road and trail snacks are the responsibility of the participants. Maximum group size will be 8-9 people. More information will be provided in the weeks prior to the trip.

March 2010 Trips

Backpack Yellowwood State Forest
March 27-28, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: High School Youth OK
Cost: $25, Deposit: $25
Cancellation Date: March 13

We will be car camping at Yellowwood Lake campground so you can bring your heavier gear such as a chair and heavy sleeping bag. On Saturday, we will do a 10-mile hike where you can carry a full backpack for training or carry a light day pack. On Sunday we will do a 5-6 mile hike before returning to Indy by early afternoon. This will be a good first time trip and a good opportunity to meet club members. The club will furnish supper on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. You will need to furnish lunch both days.

April 2010 Trips

Banff Mountain Film Festival Day Trip
April 3, 2010

Trip Cost: $23, Deposit: $23
Cancellation Date: March 31

Join CIWC for our second annual trip to Bloomington to view the Banff Mountain Film Festival road show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The festival is held every fall at the Banff Mountain Center and is followed by a world tour of selected festival films. The subject matter of the films includes mountain culture as well as outdoor high adventure activities like skiing, paddling, climbing, etc. in mountain settings. The spectacular scenery, daring athleticism, fast pace and awesome music of these films makes their viewing a truly awe-inspiring experience! Check out the promo video for a taste of what the evening has in store for us: www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/tour

We will leave Indy around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 3 for the hour drive to Bloomington. The films begin at 7:00 so we'll have time to stroll the square and have dinner (at your expense) before heading to the theater. We should be back in Indy by midnight. Trip cost includes transportation in the club van and entry fee to the films.

Red River Gorge Backpack
April 29-May 2, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: To Be Decided, Deposit: $50
Cancellation Date: April 9

Join us on our club's annual spring excursion to the beautiful Red River Gorge with more sandstone arches than anyplace else in the United States except Utah. We'll leave south Columbus, IN area late Thursday afternoon to drive down, stop for supper and set up camp in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Friday we will day hike Natural Bridge State Recreation Area and surroundings. We'll have Saturday to explore the backcountry including arches like Sky Bridge and Rock Bridge (with a creek running under it). Saturday afternoon, we will backpack for about two hours up to a campsite on a ridge opposite Indian Stair Steps. You will need to provide your lunches and snacks but breakfasts and dinners are included. We'll head home early afternoon Sunday, stopping for a late lunch, returning to Columbus area early evening.

May 2010 Trips

Spring Bird Migration at Maumee Bay State Park, OH
May 7-9, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $86, Deposit: $50
Cancellation Date: April 23

Join us for a weekend of camping and birdwatching in Maumee Bay State Park, Ottawa and Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuges. The park and wildlife refuges are located on Lake Erie, making it a frequent stop for northward migrating birds. We will leave Indianapolis Friday morning and drive the four hours to Ohio. Saturday will be spent exploring the park in small groups. We will break camp around noon on Sunday and be back in Indy around dinner time. The trip cost will include dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. You will need to provide your own lunch on Saturday and we plan to eat Saturday dinner at a local restaurant. Cost of meals on the way to and from the park and Saturday night will not be covered by the trip cost.

Return to Washington D.C. Urban Adventure
May 27-31, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $307.00, Deposit: $153.50
Cancellation Date: May 13, 2010

It is time for CIWC to make a return to the nation's capital! We will drive straight through on Thursday and spend the next three days touring (mostly walking) and exploring the cities famous landmarks, museums and monuments. We will plan to spend most of our time exploring the National Mall area, which is home to most of the monuments and museums for just about everything you can think of! The first day we will visit the Natural History and Air and Space Museums, though participants will be free to make their own agenda. The second day we will take a tour of the White House and Capitol then visit the Holocaust Museum. The final day we will rent bicycles (not included in the cost) and ride to Mt. Vernon (apx. 12 miles each way). In addition to the Washington Mansion, the beautiful 45 acre estate is home to the tomb of George and Martha, a working pioneer farm, a historic grist mill, historically accurate gardens (with trees that were planted during Washington's time there), a slave memorial, a museum and various special exhibits. If time and interest allows, we may make a stop at Arlington Cemetery afterwards. Again, we will keep a flexible agenda to allow participants to choose activities. For lunches and dinners we will try some of the cities many ethnic (and very affordable) restaurants so bring your appetite and sense of "gastronomic" adventure! For lodging we have two large suites at a nice hotel near the city limits. Each room accommodates up to 5 people so we will be sharing. The trip cost includes all van transportation, hotel accommodations, parking fees and four breakfasts. Not included in the cost are lunches and dinners (eat out), local transportation via subway, bus, etc., entrance fees and tickets for attractions, bicycle rental, personal expenses and meals on the road.

June 2010 Trips

Paddle, The Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser, NC
June 2-6, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $288, Deposit: $144
Cancellation Date: May 1

Join us for a trip to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in western North Carolina, one of the world's premiere paddle centers in the heart of the Nantahala River gorge near Great Smokey Mountain National Park (www.noc.com). As a group we will take in a half day guided river rafting trip on the Nantahala River (class II and III rapids) and a half day guided kayak trip on nearby Fontana Lake. These are beginner paddling trips that will give you the opportunity to experience both whitewater and flatwater paddling. There will be plenty of free time for optional paddle activities (ranging from whitewater kayaking classes to ducky rental), hiking on the AT, mountain biking in the nearby Tsali trail system, fly fish-ing, and/or just hanging out at the NOC. The leaders are flexible and will do their best to accommodate the interests of all participants.

We will leave Indy early Wednesday morning arriving at the NOC by late afternoon. Accommodations at the NOC will be bunk-house style with showers and kitchen access. The complex is a complete outdoor destination with lodging, three restaurants and a pub, a fully-stocked Outfitter's store, the Wesser General Store and Fly Shop and the Nantahala Welcome Center. The world-class paddle center provides all-inclusive guided paddle facilities as well as ducky and kayak rentals for personal use. The Nantahala River and the Appalachian Trail run through the middle of the complex.

Trip cost includes transportation, 4 nights accommodations, 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners, half day guided raft trip and a half day guided kayak trip. Meals en route, lunches and 2 dinners, and additional optional activities (paddle trips, boat or bike rentals, etc.) will be at your expense.

Camping, Black Hills, South Dakota
June 12-20, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $332, Deposit: $50
Cancellation Date: May 29

Hike in the Black Hills of South Dakota where the buffalo roam and the antelope play. We will leave Indy early Saturday morning and stay in a motel near Mitchell, SD. Sunday we will drive to the Badlands National Park, do the scenic drive, hike the one mile Fossil Exhibit Trail and then stop for a late lunch at the Wall Drug, then on into Rapid City and a motel. Monday, we day hike to Harney Peak (highest point in SD) and camp at Big Pine trailhead. Tuesday hike 9.2 miles to Mount Rushmore and camp at Iron Creek campground. Wednesday 11.5 miles through Custer State Park, camping at French Creek. Thursday 10.3 miles into Wind Cave National Park back county. Friday 6.2 miles to the waiting van, with a possible candlelight cave tour. Saturday we will start home by going south and making a stop at the Ashland Fossil Beds Historical Park, Nebraska. Sunday we will do the last 12 hours home. The trip will provide breakfast and supper from supper Monday to breakfast Friday. The remaining meals including lunches will be paid by each individual. All park and tour fees, motel and park admission fees are included in the trip cost.

July 2010 Trips

Hut-to-Hut AT Backpack in the White Mountains, NH
July 9-16, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $500, Deposit: $250
Cancellation Date: June 1

Join us for a backpacking trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire where we will follow the AT as it traverses through the Presidential Range. We will hike above treeline for much of our trip providing spectacular views of the New England mountain ranges. Our hike will take us "hut" to "hut" for overnight accommodations in the AMC hut system (www.outdoors.org/lodging/huts/huts-accommodations.cfm). These are hike-in remote locations that are off the grid utilizing green management practices so while there are indoor washrooms (only cold water and no showers) there is no plasma, or for that matter not even an electrical outlet! The huts (i.e. lodges) accommodate between 50 and 90 guests in bunkroom-style dormitory quarters. Pillows and blankets are provided and a hearty breakfast and dinner is included. These are beautiful, peaceful facilities which provide a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the serenity of the White Mountains and the company of the other guests. A croo of college students staff the lodges providing knowledgeable, enthusiastic hospitality for the hikers. By using the hut system we will be warm and comfortable in the evenings, and hike with less pack weight than for a typical backpacking trip during the day.

The hiking terrain is some of the most rugged in the eastern U.S., and weather and trail conditions can be very unpredictable. The daily hiking will be very strenuous and therefore backpacking experience, good fitness and proper equipment are required. We will cover a total of 26 miles of the AT (approximately 5-8 miles per day), with the option of additional day hikes from the huts.

We will leave Indy bright and early Friday, July 9. We will spend Sunday through Tuesday night at the huts, so will have 2 days to make our way from Indy to the trailhead. When we finish on Wednesday we will find local accommodations for the night before heading back to Indy, arriving home Friday, July 16.

The price includes transportation in the club van, 3 nights car camping (while en route to/from the hike), 3 nights breakfast/dinner/bunk accommodations at the huts and 2 additional breakfasts. All other meals will be at your own expense. Wednesday night accommodations (after we finish the hike) are not included in the trip fee. There are a number of options available so the group will decide together and split the cost.

Canoe Minnesota's Boundary Waters
July 23-August 1, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate with some challenging sections
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $450, Deposit: $225
Cancellation Date: July 10

This is a great opportunity for club members to explore some of the most scenic lakes and rivers in The Boundary Waters. The Boundary Waters is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, maintained by the U.S. Forest Service located in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border. The area is renowned as the finest canoeing area in the world. No other place offers such an exceptional combination of expansive and varied wilderness canoe routes and intact natural ecosystem.

The route we have chosen will include approximately 47 miles and 17 portages. It will begin at entry point 23. We will paddle through Murdo Lake, Fourtown Lake, and numerous small lakes to Friday Bay in Crooked Lake. We will paddle several miles through Crooked Lake, explore Curtain Falls then on to Iron Lake. From Iron Lake we will paddle and portage to Lake La Croix, Lake Agnes, Nina Moose Lake down the Nina Moose River and exit at entry point 16. Paddling will require intermediate skills and some of the portages will be difficult. The route chosen is described in guide books as "challenging." This route offers numerous opportunities to explore several lakes, bays and falls while in route.

We will leave Indianapolis Friday, July 23 and travel part way with an overnight stay at a location to be determined. Saturday we will complete the trip to Ely, Minnesota and stay the night at our outfitter, Voyageur North Outfitters (www.vnorth.com).

Early Sunday morning we will be shuttled to our entry point. The canoe trip itself will be 7 paddling days and 6 camping nights. We plan to use 4 different campsites with using two as base camps for additional day trip exploring, fishing or just enjoying a peaceful day in camp. Our shuttle will pick us up on Saturday the 31st, returning to the outfitter to shower. We will leave Ely after cleanup to begin the return trip and stay at a motel along route that evening. We will return to Indianapolis Sunday evening, August 1.

This is a very remote area, and in most cases we will be two days from any outpost. Environmental hazards of nature and wildlife will require that standard canoe safety and camping guidelines be followed at all times. We will be conducting an orientation and gear shake down session this spring or early summer at a date to be announced. A comprehensive list of safety requirements and suggestions will be provided well in advance of the trip. Canoes, paddles, PDFs, and portage yolks will be provided by the outfitter or thorough the club. Participants will need to provide their own personal gear including dry bags, sleeping bags, meal kits, packs etc. (A list of required and recommend gear will be provided). A Minnesota fishing license will be necessary if you intend to bring fishing gear. The club will provide seven camp dinners and four breakfasts. Remaining breakfasts, lunches and snacks will be provided by members.

Transportation in the club van, lodging on the road, cookware, water treatment equipment and tents, if needed, will be provided by the club.

This is a tremendous opportunity to experience one of the truly pristine lake regions in the world. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this trip. Contact Bob or Bernie with questions.

August 2010 Trips

Backpack Colorado Wilderness Areas
August 21-29, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Difficult
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $244, Deposit: $122
Cancellation Date: July 21, 2010

Please join us for a late summer backpacking trip into three of Colorado's most beautiful wilderness areas. We will spend the first three days on the 25 mile, Four Pass Loop Trail around the Maroon Bells. This portion of the trip will help us adjust to the altitude and the steep mountain trails. After this we travel to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area to climb La Plata and then to the Mount Massive Wilderness Area to climb Mount Massive. On our last day we visit the hot springs for a good soak and to get cleaned up for our trip home.

This is an advanced trip with about 50 miles of hiking and just under 20,000 feet of vertical gain, all at an elevation of at least 9000 feet. You must be physically fit and you must have appropriate gear, especially footwear. Expect temperatures ranging from the 70s during the warmth of the afternoon to well below freezing at night and on the summits. Snow at this elevation and time of year is always possible.

In addition to the stated trip cost, please be prepared with extra money for food on the way out and back, and an extra $15 for the hot springs. The trip cost does not include food for the five days on the trail.