Lone Wolf at Turkey Run (Picture heavy post...now with bonus video)

This was the only Turkey I saw, stuffed in the nature center which turned out to be a nice warm place to use the bathroom and change out of my soaking wet clothes before driving home.

I was craving some adventure and some lone trail time this past weekend. It's long been on my list to head west to Turkey Run or Shades and do some trail running and exploration. So, I mustered some courage, braved the rain, and made the hour drive. Turns out it was the perfect day to run. Muddy, but not too muddy. Distinct lack of other people. The creeks were low, ankle to shin deep and most crossings were jumpable for me being 6'3". Many of the trails are the canyon carved creek beds themselves, wading through the icy water was the only way to go in some cases.  I was hoping to put in 15-20 miles, but 3 hours on my feet was the real goal. I stopped to take pictures whenever the mood struck and made a pit stop at mile 10 for a hot cup of coffee and a honey stinger waffle.

This was my farthest distance ever in my Merell Trail Gloves and they did the job perfectly. I did find they are not very good on wet rocks and slippery wet wooden stairs. But I'm not sure anything is. They dried very quickly, didn't hold any water in at all. The only two times I fell, I was thinking distinctly about how great I was doing not falling on both occasions. The first time was on the last down step of a wooden staircase. The second spill came right after mile 13 on some wet rock and put me knee deep in a creek of ice cold water. After wading through 32 degree water for what felt like the 7th time on a sub 40 degree day, my legs said "enough!" So I walked the final mile back to the car. It was a great run, but I could see how during heavier tourist days it would be almost impossible to run here with all the traffic and limited trail space. Well that and not all of the terrain is actually runnable; wet rocks, boulders, roots and the hills! Did I mention the hills? I gained 1700 ft and lost 1700 ft over the course of 14 miles.  My hill mantra was "Holy Hills Batman" over and over again on every hill and every stair case. With plenty of connecting trails it is a great place to run when the they are your own and an absolutely gorgeous gem of a state park in Indiana.

The Turkey Run Trail System.

The Trails which I ran.

Sugar Creek. Covered Bridge at a distance

Entrance to the covered bridge. I totally broke the rules and ran.

Boulder Canyon found on trail 9. It's much steeper than it appears and one of those "unrunnable" sections of trail. But it was fun and I imagined myself as a mountain goat jumping from rock to rock.

Some of the lovely creek beds I ran, hopped, waded, hiked. Yes, the creek is the trail.

The ladders! This part was really cool, and really dangerous being as though I was soaked from rain and mud.

Punch Bowl, this would be fun to play in if it were hot out. Being sub 40 and not directly on the trail. I just gazed in awe.

 One of a few waterfalls I ran by.

Gobble Gobble, The End!

Bonus Video Footage of the ladders...they were really cool. I was excited when I saw them.