INPAWS Hike: Kokiwanee and Hathaway Preserves
Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kokiwanee and Hathaway Preserves, Wabash County, IN
Leader: Dave Hicks, Manchester College
Trail Conditions: Mostly level, but with some short, steep sections
What To See: These two sites, owned by the ACRES Land Trust, border the Salamonie and Ross Run gorges, which were cut by the drainage of Glacial Lake Maumee. The varied topography is unusual for this part of the state, and plant communities range from second-growth forests to cliff faces to fens. Over 500 species occur in these preserves, including several that are state-listed or near their range margins. Kokiwanee has an excellent display of spring wildflowers, although we will be near the end of the season. For a description of the sites and a species list, see http://users.manchester.edu/Facstaff/DJHicks/kokhathcastanea.pdf. Other interesting sites in the ACRES network (http://www.acreslandtrust.org/) and in the Salamonie River State Forest (http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4814.htm) are nearby.
Directions: The trip will go rain or shine (barring thunderstorms). We will start at Kokiwanee. To find the preserve, follow SR 524 south from the town of Lagro (between Wabash and Huntington, just off US 30). Cross the Wabash River and follow 524 as it bends to the left. When 524 bends right, continue straight on Hanging Rock Road. Follow it past Hanging Rock and around a right-angle bend. Continue straight onto CR 500 E and follow through a left-angle bend (becomes CR 50 S) until it reaches a T intersection with CR 600E. Turn right at the T and take the next right to the Tailwater Fishing area parking lot (do not park at the lot on CR 50S). The Nature Preserves section of the ACRES web site has more instructions and links to maps.
More information: Contact Dave Hicks at 260-982-5309 (O), -2471 (H) or djhicks@manchester.edu.