COLUMN: Trailing or Leading: On to the boat ramp

With linear trails, like MYPath, there is always a turnaround point. For years, the trail used sidewalks and streets, and the turnaround was at the trailhead in Cooper Commons. When the grass riverfront trail was opened, the turnaround was Elliston Creek. Now, thanks to pavement and a bridge, walkers turn around when the trail ends at River Road.

Of course, adventurous hikers always knew there was a little bit more. Even before the bridge was in place, hikers found a way to cross Elliston Creek and enjoy the trail on the other side. Currently, the trail officially ends at River Road, but many people have discovered they can keep going along a very scenic part of the White River.

Now, the turnaround spot is moving further down the river.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) and the ongoing partnership with the Owen County Soil & Water Conservation District, MYPath will be extended as far as the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) boat ramp on River Road. The OCCF purchased the remaining property between MYPath and the boat ramp on May 26.

This will be a natural surface trail that won’t really require any construction or tree removal. But it will still require effort to make sure the trail is clear and walkable. Please be patient and give us a few months to get it ready. Some of this trail will be on completely new terrain.

Part of the trail near the existing MYPath has wild geraniums and Dutchman’s Breeches that aren’t seen anywhere else on MYPath. Some of us called this route the Pawpaw Trace because there are so many pawpaw trees. There was also an old sofa along this section. That wasn’t really an attraction. Thankfully, the Owen Valley High School students removed it during their Day of Service in May.

One of the features of the new MYPath section is something we call Limestone Ledge. Some of the adventurous hikers are familiar with this feature. It is a limestone shelf, at the water’s edge, that is about eight feet wide and 600 feet long. There is evidence people have been using it for fishing and enjoying the view. When the White River flood stage is above six feet, the Limestone Ledge will be under water. But most of the year it will be open for use.

The DNR boat ramp is visible from the ledge, but you can’t get there from the ledge. That’s where the new property acquisition comes in. We will develop a new, unpaved trail across the property, following the river.

Once this new section opens, MYPath will connect from the Owen County Family YMCA, through Spencer, to the DNR boat ramp. Some of the trail is on sidewalk. Some shares a road. Some is a paved multiuse trail. Some is a natural surface walking path. We can celebrate that a connected trail exists! And the new end of MYPath is less than one and a half miles from the McCormick’s Creek State Park gate house. From the boat ramp area, you can see the park.

In 2014, the goal of MYPath was to connect to the park. Many of you have shared that dream. Now you can see the dream. It’s time to start dreaming of how we take the next jump, the mile and a half jump to the gatehouse.

Once the new connection to the DNR boat ramp is a passable trail, we will host a community walk to introduce you to the expansion. Stay tuned to the MYPath Trail System Facebook page for details.