New hike: Indian Hill Trail at Columbia Mine Preserve

We all have our favorite trails, but it’s also a joy to go someplace new—and sometimes it becomes a new favorite!

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge assistant manager Heath Hamilton at The Columbia Mine Preserve.

Well, here’s a new trail to check out: the Indian Hill Trail at the Columbia Mine Preserve. It’s a 1.5-mile loop trail that takes hikers through a spectacular portion of the preserve with abundant wildlife habitat, including an oxbow.

As reporter Tabitha Waggoner wrote in the Princeton Daily Clarion, “Hikers can experience the Indian Hill Savanna, Paddlefish Pond and Indian Hill Lake, and enjoy a wide diversity of wildlife—and the changing colors of the autumn season.” Read the rest of her great article here.

Click here to view a larger version of the Columbia Mine Preserve map.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped complete the trail, and to the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge staff who take such good care of this property. Sycamore owns the Columbia Mine Preserve but it is managed as part of the refuge; there are plans to link the trails on Columbia Mine to trails in neighboring sections of the refuge, created a trail system of up to 8-10 miles.

What are your favorite hiking spots? If you’ve been to Columbia Mine Preserve, what did you think?