Hiker's Path: Revisiting History at Mounds State Park
This past month, I got to visit yet another one of our beautiful State Parks: "Mounds State Park" in Anderson, Indiana.
Mounds State park was established as a state park in 1930 and it's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The park contains and preserves some of the finest examples of earthwork and mound building in Indiana.
Built by the Adena culture around 160 B.C., the 10 mounds and earthworks within the park boundaries range in size from a few inches to several feet high. The mounds were used primarily for ceremonies, celebrations, and observation of solstices, equinoxes, and stellar events. The mounds were also thought to be used for burial sites. The mounds were used centuries later by the Hopewell culture inhabitants. The largest and best-preserved mound in the park is the "Great Mound," and is easily accessed from Trail 1. Upon my arrival, I parked my car near the trailhead and acquired a map of the trails. I decided that I would hike several trails so I took off on trail 1 first to see the Great Mound. There was definitely a feel of fall in the air with the cooler temperatures but the trees around me still held a lot of green in their leaves and many were still attached to the branches. Still, with the “sweater weather” kind of day that I was enjoying, it was okay by me.
It wasn't long until the Mound came into my view along the right side of the trail. The mound is technically referred to as a "circular enclosure," and is the largest of its kind in the state. It's nearly a quarter of a mile in circumference. I was in awe of the work and time that it must have taken to build this mound. I tried to imagine what life was like in the lives of these ancient mound builders. The Adena were notable for their agricultural practices, pottery, artistic works, and their extensive trading network. It was educational to say the least.
After I finished hiking trail 1, I decided to hike trail 5 which is 2.5 miles in length and loops around part of the boundaries of the park. It also provides a scenic view as it follows the banks of the White River that flows along the west side of the park. This trail is the longest and most popular trail in this 252-acre park. White River was unusually beautiful with the sunlight reflecting off the water. But the water level was down quite a bit due to the recent lack of rain in our state.
The forest around me was quiet. I took in the earthy scent of dried leaves and the dampness from the river. It always gives me a feeling of nostalgia, walking through a forest in the fall. I just love the scent of Autumn in Indiana.
It was a nice river walk and very scenic. I came to trail 2 which intersects with trail 5 and decided to follow it. It’s only 0.5 miles in length and leads to a view behind the Great Mound. After following a series of steps ascending upward and onward, I came to a boardwalk that edges around a small creek.I soon found myself back where I had started. There is so much history embedded into this park. It is worth the visit and the drive. It was a good hike and a day well spent.
To get to this place, take I-69 North from Indianapolis toward Fort Wayne. Drive 26.3 miles to exit 226 onto IN-109 S towards Anderson. Drive 0.3 miles and turn left onto South Scatterfield Rd towards Anderson. In 2.8 miles turn right onto Mounds Road. In 1.5 miles turn left and continue on Mounds Road. In 0.5 miles you will see the park entrance on your left.
A quote for your week: “Nostalgia: That’s the Autumn dreaming through September. Just a million lovely things I always will remember”. - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - Former First Lady of the United States, Writer, Photographer, Editor. 1929-1994Until the next trail, Susan
This article originally appeared on Evening World: Hiker's Path: Mounds State Park
