Outdoors: Pine Hills Nature Preserve

Devil's Backbone Click to Enlarge Honeycomb Rock Click to Enlarge Rock Formation Click to Enlarge Slide Click to Enlarge Stream Click to Enlarge Stream Click to Enlarge Stream Click to Enlarge Introduction Pine Hills Nature Preserve is one of the most spectacular destinations in Indiana, and certainly one of my favorites. However, your initial impression isn’t likely to reflect that. Trails From the parking area you’ll cross Indiana 234, then climb over a fence stile. The trail heads off to the northeast, meandering along old roads through a nice enough woods. Eventually you’ll arrive at a small clearing and a sign that says Turkey Backbone. This is where things start to get interesting. Wooden platforms and steps cross a narrow ledge that features sheer drop-offs to either side, with a creek lying far below. Continue walking, passing through a dense, often dark hemlock grove before arriving at the top of two sets of stairs. The trail tees at the bottom of the second; turn right. You’ll transit a short stretch of flood plain forest, rich with ferns, then emerge along the creek bank. Mill Cut Backbone rises high above, across the creek. Continue along the trail, following the course of the creek, until you arrive at The Slide, a steep rock face that regularly sloughs stone into the stream below. Further on, you’ll pass through another hemlock grove before emerging at the confluence of two creeks. Honeycomb Rock, named for the thousands of voids in its face, looms overhead. I recommend exploring the creek banks in this area, particularly upstream along the larger creek, where one side of the Devil’s Backbone rises precipitously and trees cling tenaciously to fissures in the rock. When you return to the trail, it will climb through hemlocks to the Devil’s Backbone. This is not a good place for small children, or those who do not like heights. In places, the backbone is as narrow as six feet, with sheer drops of maybe a hundred feet to either side. One stretch is a relatively smooth slab, doubtless slick after a rain. Others have been here before, as testified by the numerous carvings, some bearing dates from the 1800s. There are even two large bird carvings that some speculate represent passenger pigeons. On reaching the other side of the backbone, the trail descends sharply toward the creek; from there it’s a relatively straightforward return to the entrance. Facilities Pit toilets, water. Directions View Larger Map DNR has closed the old parking area across IN 234 from the preserve. I haven't personally verified this information - just passing along what I've been told. Entry is now via Shades State Park. After passing the Shades Gate House, turn right and look for a Trail 10 parking lot. Follow Trail 10 east, crossing IN 234 and entering the preserve over a stile. North 39 56.269 West 87 03.499 DeLorme 37:F9 Nearby Natural Areas Shades State Park Turkey Run State Park References Bloom: Hiking Indiana; Page 96 Habeck: Wild Indiana; Page 74 Indiana Department of Natural Resources McPherson: Indiana Best Hikes; Page 263 Nature Conservancy: Guide to Indiana Preserves; Page 188