October, 2018 Day 7, It's No Slippery Noodle

Day 7 Thursday, October 18, 2018

     Some days on this road trip were scheduled fairly heavily.  Other days just had a lot of miles to cover.  Today was a relatively short drive, but a lot of hiking. 

      The folks working the Clarksville, Indiana Raddison Inn were still setting up breakfast when a handful of us started showing up nice and early.  But, they were still good to us, plying us with coffee and juice while they got things ready.  Breakfast didn’t come with the room reservation, but was still worth while. 

      There was a tour bus loading up as I took the first of my bags out to the car.  The driver was loading luggage in the cargo area underneath and apologized for blocking me in.  To his credit, he was finished before I had come back with the last load. 

     The sun was still working its way over the horizon when I drove out of Clarksville.  It wasn’t one of those sunrises that makes you look for a place to pull over, and the red colors were all close to the horizon.  But, considering the last few days, this was a nice change. 

      The drive to Madison, Indiana via interstate would have been less than an hour.  Instead, I chose to stick with Hwy 31 to Scottsburg and 56 east to Madison.  While I didn’t stop for pictures, it was still the right choice.

      A couple of years ago, I came across a hiking website that rated their favorite trails by state.   Here in Indiana, they chose Clifty Falls State Park, in Madison.   On their recommendation, I chose to spend the day.

      I arrived at the park around 9A.  The sign at the entrance said “free admission.”  Bonus!  I would have gladly paid the $7 fee for the day. 

      There are four waterfalls within the park and trails to all of them.  Trail #7 is a loop that hits overlooks of two.  From the parking area, there’s a series of staircases down to Big Clifty Falls.

      The trail then goes by Cake Rock.  The early morning light doesn’t do it justice.  It really does have layers like a cake. 

      Eventually, the trail does loop around to Little Clifty Falls.  Based solely on this barricade, the falls can run pretty heavy.

     Just not today.

     Trail #8 goes from the north parking area to the south entrance.  I only took it half way.  It was the kind of trail I could hike on all day.  Imagine a trail through the forest with mostly gradual peaks and valleys.  Toss in some exposed roots to keep you honest. 

      It’s also the only way to get to Trail #2.  It’s a three mile round trip to the base of Big Clifty Falls.  This is three miles you earn.  It starts with a well marked, but not so well maintained trail down from the canyon rim to the base. 

      From there, it’s all along the edge of a rocky stream.  While certainly picturesque, it’s a bit rough on the knees and ankles.  It’s all uneven rocks, you have to go back and forth repeatedly across the stream.  By now you know, stream crossings aren’t my favorite thing.

     Add to the mix a few fallen trees and a few large boulders and it made for an interesting hike out. 

      Close to the falls, there’s this sign posted...

      Usually, I’d blow it off and continue.  Something made me stop just beyond. 

    

      The hike back out was much quicker.  I knew about all the obstacles and how to get around them.  I also wasn’t stopping as often to take pictures. 

      I backtracked through the park to the pull out for Tunnel Falls.  A short staircase later and I was at the overlook.

      Further along the trail sits its namesake.  It apparently started as an attempt to build a railroad tunnel, but was abandoned.  It’s open for exploration for another two weeks when the park blocks it off for hikers.  It’s a hibernation spot for bats through the winter. 

      One last waterfall to check out, Hoffman Falls.  I did take a photo of the falls.  Between the harsh light and the very low flow of water, it's almost impossible to see.  
      Just inside the south entrance is a short trail to a signal tower.  The view from above...

       I have no idea how far I walked, but it was a good six and a half hours before I drove out of the park, headed to downtown Madison.  My home for the night was the Hillside Inn.  It’s hard to miss from downtown.   

     At check in, I was offered a riverfront room, for a nominal extra fee.  I was on the top floor in the room furthest to the right.  Nice view.

    I went back into town for an early dinner.  There are two places in Indiana claiming to have the oldest bar in the state.  One is a place called the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis.  The other is the Broadway Hotel and Tavern.  I ditched the car in one of the numerous municipal lots and walked.

      The Broadway Fountain...

      The Broadway Tavern is hard to miss.  On tap they had the usual fare, as well as something called Rhinegeist Truth Ale.  It was good enough that I had two.

      After dinner, I simply walked through downtown towards the car.  When I passed GH Coffee, I felt the urge to go in.  Anna was juggling a few other customers, but still managed to do me right.

       Eventually, I worked my way back to the motel.  I had paid a couple of extra bucks for a room with a balcony.  While the sunset wasn’t anything spectacular, it was still worth it.

                                                             
Coming Up,
Climbing Hoosier HIll