A Hiker's Path: Explore cedar trees, rock formations at Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve

I made a visit to a place this past week that I have grown to love: Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve. The preserve is known for the 75-foot-high bluff covered in Eastern red cedar trees that overlook the beautiful Clear Creek below. In the spring, there are also a variety of gorgeous wildflowers there as well.

Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve opened in 1976 and is owned by The Nature Conservancy, which partners with the Indiana Department of Resources. Located in Monroe County, the preserve contains 23 acres and a well defined trail that follows a tributary of Clear Creek along the steep walls of the bluff — a picturesque site. The trail is only a mile and a half long but the terrain makes it challenging.

It is considered a rugged hiking trail. It was a gorgeous day when I hiked at this preserve. I headed over to Bloomington and made the short drive to the parking lot.

I noticed just a couple of cars parked there. I found the trailhead sign and headed down the dirt path with great expectations of what I might discover on my excursion. The temperature was around 60 degrees. The sky overhead was sunny and blue. A perfect day to be outside.

The first thing I noticed were all of Virginia bluebells growing along the sides of the trail. I think these are some of the prettiest spring wildflowers Indiana has to offer. They are native to Indiana.

My next stop was a clear view of Clear Creek when the trail led me right to the edge of its banks. The creek was very full from recent rains with some evidence of flooding left behind. But on this day, the water’s surface dazzled with sparking little diamonds of light as the rays of sunlight hit the surface.

The flowing creek water was moving swiftly. The small, swirling ripples of water meandered quickly down the creek, making little bubbling noises along its way. It had a very calming effect on my psyche. I took a pause to photograph the landscape.

The trail became very rocky after this. I continued on my trek, following the length of the bluff which now loomed over me on the left side of the trail, with the creek to my right. When I reached the end of the bluff, the trail turned sharply to the left. Soon I would make the climb to the top of the bluff. There I would see the beautiful bluff with its spectacular rock formations and the gnarled and twisted cedar trees growing upward from the rocky soil.

The trail was narrow in places and  had many sizable rocks to climb around.

At last I arrived at the top and my what a view. The valley below; the canyon and creek — all of these were spectacular as seen from my vantage point. There were many cedar trees, of different sizes, twisted into shapes from the elements. They were like works of art, fashioned by the unseen forces of nature. On its website, The Nature Conservancy describes this stand of cedars as “a stunning display of species adaptation and survival in a harsh environment.” Lessons to be learned from these trees. They will bend before breaking. Their roots grow deep. They can withstand drought. They can grow in almost any kind of soil. They survive.

Call it a zen moment or an epiphany. But I couldn’t help but be inspired by these remarkable trees.  I could only hope that I could adapt as well to all the changes that I find myself going through from time to time. This was definitely an inspirational place. I soon finished my hike and left the preserve.

But I plan to return again on another day. Left to time and the elements, the cedars will most likely still be there, waiting, still growing, on top of a high bluff, overlooking the valley below.

To get to this place: Take Ind. 37 south past Bloomington. A few miles south of town, turn right onto Smithville Road. Within a mile you will come to a stop sign at a T intersection. Turn left and then immediately turn right onto Ketcham Road. Take Ketcham Road for approximately 2.5 miles; you will see Cedar Bluffs Road to your left but continue past it for another 0.5 mile. The Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve sign is visible on the left side of the road, just past a power line right-of-way. Park on the north side of the road (the same side as the preserve sign).

A quote for your week: “I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets” — Hamlin Garland, American novelist Until the next trail, Susan.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: A Hiker's Path: Explore trees, rocks at Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve