 Lake Monroe Click to Enlarge  Trail Map Click to Enlarge |
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Introduction Peninsula Trail is one of the better hikes in the Deam Wilderness of the Hoosier National Forest. The trail begins at the Grubb Ridge parking area and follows the John Grubb Ridge out onto a peninsula that juts into Lake Monroe. According to the Forest Service trail map, the total trail distance from trailhead to the shores of Lake Monroe is 4.8 miles, one way. This makes the round trip a good day-hike candidate. Because camping is allowed at designated sites along the trail, off-trail locations, and at sites along the shores of Lake Monroe, it is also suitable for short backpacking expeditions. Expect to lose 350 to 400 feet in elevation your way out, and of course that will have to be regained on the trip back. You can also expect to see horses or their consequences, though the damage I observed on my trips appeared to be rather minimal save in a few spots. The trails passes through a number of pineries, some of which have designated campsites. My own recommendation for backpackers is to continue to the end of the trail and camp at one of the several sites along Lake Monroe. During a late-October weeknight trip I appeared to have the place to myself, and enjoyed a great sunset, views of the Milky Way, and the sounds of a coyote chorus somewhere in the distance. Most of the sites along the lake have nice fire rings made of flat stones from the rocky lake shoreline, and the sound of the waves striking and jostling the rocks has a certain tranquilizing effect. The smaller stones are also great for skipping. Enjoy! Facilities None. Directions
Nearby Natural Areas Brown County State Park Deam Wilderness Selma Steele Nature Preserve Yellowwood State Forest References Bloom: Hiking Indiana  ; Page 194Habeck: Wild Indiana  ; Page 108McPherson: Indiana Best Hikes  ; Page 343McPherson: Nature Walks in Southern Indiana  ; Page 342 |
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