INPAWS Hike: Mushrooms of Shades State Park

Saturday, September 8, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Eastern Daylight Time

Shades State Park, Montgomery, Parke and Fountain Counties, Indiana 

Leader: Dr. Andrew Methven, Eastern Illinois University

Trail Conditions: Moderate to rugged and likely to be muddy in places, approx. 1 mile long. Mosquitoes and other annoying insects possible.

What To See:  Shades State Park is located about 17 miles southwest of Crawfordsville. The beautiful sandstone cliffs overlooking Sugar Creek and numerous shady ravines provide the backdrop for a journey through a nature lover’s (and, when wet, a mushroom hunter’s) paradise. We will collect mushrooms for 1.5 to 2 hrs and then return to the picnic area for lunch and to look at our specimens. If you have one, bring a hand lens.  You should also bring a basket or backpack to collect mushrooms in. I’ll bring wax bags and plastic containers for your specimens. 

Directions:  Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the only picnic area indicated on the state park map; see web link below, or pick up map at park entrance. From Crawfordsville:  Take Rt 47 south to Rt 234. Turn right (west) on Rt 234 and follow signs to park entrance. From Veedersburg:  Take Rt 41 south to Rt. 47. Turn left (east) on Rt. 47 to Waveland, then turn left (north) on Co Rd 750 W to a “T” with Rt. 234. Turn left (west) and follow signs to Shades State Park. From Rockville: Take Rt 41 north. Turn right (east) on Rt 47 to Waveland. See above for directions from Waveland.

See: http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2970.htm for a park map. 

Questions? Contact Andy Methven by email (asmethven@eiu.edu) or phone  217-581-6241 by 7 September 2012.  No RSVP required. We will hike rain or shine. A nominal fee is charged for entrance to the park.