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.

Backpack/Day Hike, Shades State Park, IN
April 17-18, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: High School Youth OK
Cost: $26, Deposit: $26
Cancellation Date: April 10

Shades State Park is one of Indiana's most beautiful state parks. Its topography ranges from rolling forested hills to deep ravines overlooking Sugar Creek. It has as many, or more, canyons than its nearby neighbor, Turkey Run State Park. Due to the popularity of Turkey Run's canyons and hiking trails, Shades State Park is usually much less crowded. We will spend Saturday afternoon day-hiking the parks trails, including the canyon trails if they are passable (i.e. not flooded). A light daypack will be all that will be needed for this. Afterwards, we will don our overnight backpacks and hike a short 2.5 mile trail to a backcountry camping area. Sunday morning we will hike out, drop our packs at the van, and day-hike nearby Pine Hills Nature Preserve (about 2 miles). This area has interesting geological features, including the infamous "devils backbone" which you can climb if you dare! We will return to Indianapolis mid to late afternoon on Sunday. This trip is a great opportunity for new backpackers who want to "test the waters" and for anyone who wants to get out and enjoy the spring weather. Wildflowers will be in full bloom, so feel free to bring field guides and cameras.

Many of the trails we will day-hike will be moderate to very rugged (and possibly slippery), so adequate footwear is required and trekking poles are strongly recommended. The backpacking trail will be relatively flat and easy. The cost includes dinner Saturday night, breakfast Sunday morning, van transportation and park entrance fee. Please provide your own trail lunches. High school age youth are o.k. with guardian.

Red River Gorge Backpack
April 29-May 2, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $72, 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 city's 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 city's 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.

Cataract Lake Paddle
June 12, 2010

Come join us for a fun day of paddling on Cataract Lake located at Richard Lieber State Park. We will meet at the boat ramp in Cunot at 9:00am and paddle up towards the Cataract Falls.

Directions to the ramp from I-70 are 231 south at exit 41 through Cloverdale to State road 42 then west, after you cross the bridge over the lake just a little further you will turn right on Boat Dock Road and it will take you down to the boat ramp. State road 243 was closed for repairs just past the Park entrance the 3rd weekend of May when we were there, it may or may not be open by the time we have our paddle trip in case you want to try this route. Bring your own lunch and snacks for the day. Also there are no outfitters on the lake so you will need to bring your own boat and PFDs. We do have a limited number of extra boats if you want to borrow one for the day. Please let me know in advance though so we can make arraignments to have them there. DNR Lake Permit sticker is required ($5.00), www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/5058.htm.

Please review the recommend paddle gear (Word document) and get the Medical Information Form (Word document). Before you come on the trip, complete the medical form and keep it with you in a zip lock bag within your gear or person. At the launch site you will be asked to sign the club waiver form and inform the trip leader of the location of your medical form. General information about club trips can be found at Trip Signup.

To confirm if you plan on making the trip please contact trip leader Joni Moore.

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.

Sugar Creek Day Paddle
June 27, 2010

We will be doing a day paddle on Sugar Creek starting from Deermill and ending at Cox Ford Bridge (15 Miles). We will be using Sugar Valley as our outfitter if you need to rent a canoe or kayak. Cost for rental is $25 canoe, $17 kayak, please call the outfitter if you need a boat and make reservations. The website is www.sugarvalleycanoes.com or the phone number is (800) 422-6638. If you bring your own boat they will haul it for you for a extra fee. Please bring your own lunch and snacks for the day. We will depart from Sugar Valley at 9:00am. Please be there 45 minutes early.

To confirm if you plan on making the trip please contact trip leader Joni Moore.

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

Amishland and Lakes Bicycle Tour
August 6-8, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Beginner
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $39, Deposit: $39
Cancellation Date: July 1, 2010

Come out and bike the lightly traveled roads of northern Indiana Amish country and southwestern Michigan. The Amishland and Lakes Weekend is sponsored by the Michiana Bicycle Association, headquartered on the campus of Howe Military Academy. There are many ride options. Saturday riders will have a choice of 23, 35, 56, 67, or 100 mile routes. And the Sunday tour offers a choice of 20, 34, 46, or 63 mile routes. The SAG stops include great snacks including fresh fruit, cookies and drinks. There will be free concerts Saturday afternoon and evening.

We are leaving from Indianapolis Friday, August 6 at 2pm. We will stop for dinner on the way there. Friday and Saturday lodging options include staying in a cadet room with a bunk bed ($19/per person per night), staying in the Howe Gym ($13 for the weekend) or camping outside the school ($25 per weekend). Each option includes the use of school restrooms and hot showers. You must furnish linens, towels, soap, etc. The ride registration form includes the $25 ride fee, the lodging options, and the dining options. "These spartan dorm rooms are pleasant, clean and convenient. Although small, the dorm rooms have enough space to park a bike. Most rooms are doubles, however, a few singles are available." After riding and taking showers on Sunday, we plan to be on the road by 3pm, which should get us back to Indianapolis by around 6:30pm.

Ride details: www.mbabike.com/alldetails10.pdf. See the registration form:
http://www.mbabike.com/allapp10.pdf. In addition to signing up for the trip through CIWC, please let Jeanette or Mel know when you have sent in your registration form to the Michiana Bicycle Association. Please make sure your bicycle is in good working order. A list of suggested gear will be provided. All meals will be at participant expense. The CIWC trip fee covers the cost of transportation in the club van.

September 2010 Trips

Backpack Isle Royal National Park
September 3-10, 2010

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: $450, Deposit: $225
Cancellation Date: August 24, 2010

This popular trip has been conducted by CIWC in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. We will leave on Friday morning September 3 and return late Friday, September 10. Over five days we will backpack through scenic Isle Royale, covering about forty miles. Early Saturday morning we will board a ferry for our three hour ride to the island. Temperatures should be in the 70s during the day and the 50s at night. We will be staying in tents half the time and the remainder of the time at campsites that offer screened shelters for protection against the mosquitoes and rain.

Isle Royale National Park encompasses a total area of 850 square miles including submerged lands which extend four and a half miles out into Lake Superior. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. There are excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or float plane. It is relatively untouched by outside influences and serves as a living laboratory and United States Biosphere Reserve.

Your trip fees will include breakfast and five dinners starting on Saturday morning. When we return from the island, we will spend the night in the area before the long drive home on Friday. You will be responsible for meals en route as well as dinner on Thursday night and lunch and snacks on Isle Royale.