A Hiker's Path: Sunny skies, warm temps at Strahl Lake in Brown County State Park
This past Sunday turned out to be a beautiful spring day. Sunny skies and warm temperatures prevailed, so I found myself on a trail at Brown County State Park. The park is located near Nashville, Indiana, and was first opened to the public in 1929. The park, with almost 16,000 acres, is one of the largest state parks in Indiana. I had decided to hike the Strahl lake trail.
This lollipop-style trail begins with a 0.7 mile side trail (or spur trail), at the Brown County State Park Nature Center and quickly descends 300 feet, which includes a wooden staircase with 170 steps that leads to Strahl Lake.
Trail 6, the lake trail itself is a 1.5 mile loop around the lake. I decided to come in on the dam side, an alternate trailhead that has fewer stairs and a beautiful view of a waterfall. It’s nice to have choices sometimes.
The lake was in beautiful form on this day and I was looking forward to hiking the loop.
There were wooden stairs and walkways along one side of the lake and a dirt path along the other. I chose the latter side to start my exploration of this beautiful place.
The pine trees along the hillside were tall and there were quite a few of them. The scent of pine permeated the air. There was fresh green moss growing on some old, rotting logs and on the base of some of the tree trunks. Spring flowers were popping up throughout the woods and at last, I felt at home here in this forest.
Strahl Lake itself isn’t too big. It’s only about seven acres. On this day, the surface water of the lake was reflecting the colors of the blue sky over head.
There were families walking the trail and people walking their dogs. It made for a festive atmosphere on the trail as everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
The woods smelled like damp moss and dirt and the songbirds had returned to the forest. There was a lot of proof of life to be seen and heard everywhere. Birds singing, frogs croaking, and turtles sunning themselves along the water's edge. Trees with buds and small green leaves. Spring had officially arrived.
I made my way around the lake and I took lots of photos in the process. I really enjoyed my afternoon at Strahl Lake.
It had been a great hike and a wonderful day at a small Indiana lake. Welcome spring! It’s good to have you back!
To get to this place: Take Ind. 46 East to Bloomington. Continue on 46 to Brown County towards Nashville. Before Nashville you will see a large sign of the park and the park entrance is on the right.
A quote for your week: “We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.” — Katie Thurmes, photographer
Until the next trail,
Susan
This article originally appeared on Evening World: Hiker describes visit to Brown County State Park's Strahl Lake
