Beginners Backpacking Trip
Patoka Lake State Reservoir, Indiana
Revised Location - Shades SP
Wilderness Level 2 (EMS help may be over an hour away) – cell service spotty at best.
Leaving on Friday evening June 23rd at 6:00 PM from the Southside of Indianapolis. We will car pool to Patoka Lake State Recreation Area (we will stop at a restaurant and pick up something to eat on our way). Upon arrival, we will take a short hike to the Backcountry Camping area and set up tents for the evening and practice food storage that evening.
The next morning, we will cook a Backcountry Breakfast to start out the day. Our skill training will begin with water treatment and packing our packs. After packing our packs, we will hike the 6.5-mile Main trail. This is a moderate trail, well maintained but with a small number of signs. Average hiking time is 3 to 4 hours. One of the many sites is Totem Rock, a large rock shelter that was used by American Indians and early settlers. We will stop and have a trail Lunch during the hike. This trail follows the shoreline of Patoka Lake, with 26,000 acres of land and water, Patoka Lake is a fine example of lake ecology. An 8,800-acre lake provides habitat for freshwater jellyfish and bald eagle nesting sites. River otters and osprey were reintroduced at Patoka by the DNR.
After completing the hike, we explore the Visitor Center and some of the other opportunities the park has to offer. After returning to the campsite we will continue to work on some of our camp skills including firecrafting and cooking. We will prepare a Backcountry dinner from the Club recipe library and work on camp sanitation.
On Sunday, we will cook a backcountry breakfast, break camp and then travel to Hemlock Cliffs Scenic Trail for a short day hike before heading home. We will stop and get lunch along the way.
Cost is $20 for dinner and 2 breakfast. Participants will bring their own lunch, snack and drink items. Meals enroute on Friday and Sunday will be each person’s responsibility. Gear lists and trip details, including carpooling options, will be emailed prior to the trip. Some club backpacks and tents may be available for loan on a first come, first served basis.
All trip participants will be expected to submit a medical form, sign a waiver and complete emergency information documents prior to participation.
