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

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 plant 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 capitol! 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

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

Trip Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Family Rating: Adults Only
Cost: TBA, Deposit: $50
Cancellation Date: TBA

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.

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.