CYBERINDIANA SEARCH Attractions Business Cities Counties Images Index Lists Outdoors People Today Weather Contact Policies ©2000-2004 by Mike Habeck

Outdoors: Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve is a 23 acre Nature Conservancy property located in Monroe County, not far from Harrodsburg. The preserve lies alongside the banks of Clear Creek and includes a limestone bluff (depicted at left) which rises between Clear Creek and an intermittent tributary of the creek. The preserve is an excellent area for observing spring wildflowers such as Hepatica, Celandine Poppy, and Virginia Bluebell, as well as ferns like Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake and Lipferns. A trail leads from the "parking area" (more on that later) across an open powerline right-of-way. This open area is thickly populated by Goldenrod and Common and Giant Ragweed, but there are also other plants of open areas here - in late summer, for example, you may find Ironweed as tall as eight feet. The trail passes over a couple of small footbridges before presenting the traveller with a choice: To the left, the trail leads rather steeply up to the top of the bluff; to the right, an easy walk to the banks of Clear Creek. You should do both, if possible. The trail to the right rapidly loses its definition once it gets to Clear Creek, but a series of informal trails allow you to explore the area for wildflowers, insects, and ferns. Be on the lookout for the distinctive serrated leaves of the Chinkapin Oak, which occurs here. The other path, up to the top of the bluff, takes you through a dense Red Cedar grove, then along the top of the bluff through hardwoods. The trees begin to thin out a bit as you reach the end of the bluff, and rocky outcrops afford views of some of the surrounding countryside. A trail of sorts descends the back of the bluff to an intermittent creek. The crevices and small pockets of soil along the bluff face are alive with ferns and wildflowers in the spring. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the occasional Wood Frog. It is possible, though difficult, to complete a loop by making your way from the end of the bluff back to the creekside trail, but the "path" involves negotiating some rather thick flood debris. How to get there: For most travelers, the simplest and best-marked approach will probably be from the Harrodsburg exit off IN 37. Proceed to Harrodsburg and turn right onto Hobart, the road next to a convenience store. The best strategy from here is probably to follow the signs for the Harrodsburg United Methodist Church (white lettering on green) until you reach Popcorn Road. Once you're on Popcorn Road, forget about the Methodist Church and continue to Ketcham Road, about 0.9 miles beyond Popcorn Road. Turn right onto Ketcham Road and proceed for about 1.9 miles. You'll know you're getting close when you cross a small bridge followed immediately by an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The "parking area", big enough for maybe two cars, is demarcated by a few square timbers on the left hand side of the road, directly under the high-voltage power lines. The beginning of the trail to the preserve is on the other side of the road. The entrance is unmarked but fairly obvious.