Knobstone Trail
Leota to Deam Lake (SOBO)
Scottsburg, IN
September 10-12, 2021
Co-Trip Leaders: Nanette Eshelman and Will Eshelman
Type of Trip: Backpacking
Trip Cost/Deposit: $40/$40, Full payment due at sign up.
Wilderness Level: 3
Trip Difficulty: Rugged. Up to 1500 feet elevation gain per day. Twenty five miles with average of 8 miles per day
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25-35 pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Group Size: 9/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
The Knobstone Trail gets its rugged character and name from the ridge of bluffs and knobs (hills) known as the Knobstone Escarpment. In 2019 we hiked 3 of the northern sections of the trail for about 20 miles. This year we will complete the remaining 25 miles from the Leota Trailhead to Deam Lake.
This 3-day trip to the Knobstone Trail is an intermediate backpacking trip. Previous backpacking experience is required. While a moderate terrain, the trails of the Knobstone are quite strenuous. You should be comfortable backpacking with 25-35 lb. backpacks an average of 8 miles a day. (This is an average, we may hike as much as 10). We will also have elevation gain each day of up to 1300 feet. We will have a shakedown hike on August 21st in Brown County State Park and those signing up for this trip should plan to attend the shakedown.
The plan is to meet at the Leota Trailhead and start our trip early on Friday. Water may need to be cached beforehand depending on the water situation. The leaders will assess this situation to ensure we have adequate water. We will navigate the many hills and hollers of the Knobstone Trail over the three days ending up at the Deam Lake Trailhead Sunday afternoon. We will then shuttle back to Leota to get our cars. COVID precautions will be followed. Masks should be worn if not fully vaccinated while shuttling cars.
The trip fee includes cached water, use of Club stoves and fuel, and Garmin In-reach. Participants are responsible for all meals and snacks. Due to probable limited water, meals should be add-water to rehydrate only to eliminate the need for major kitchen clean-up. The leaders will communicate more details and suggestions for meal options as the trip approaches.
If we stop to eat after the trip the meal would be at the participant’s expense. More details will be provided prior to the trip. A shake-down (practice) hike is planned for August 21st.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a
CIWC Medical Form and Unified Waiver Form
Effective on all trips, there will be a $40 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
