Hike #9 - Clear Creek Trail
February 25th, 2018
The snow flakes turned to rain drops in a major way this February. After seeing postings of flooded trails all around Bloomington we opted for pavement. The Clear Creek rail to trail runs 2.4 miles one way from Tapp Road to Church Lane on the SW side of Bloomington. Though a paved path, it passes through enough fields and wooded areas that you feel like you’re in the country.
Today the creek was flowing and bursting from its banks. The discarded car-sized blocks of limestone on the other side of the creek called to our explorer’s hearts. I’ve spent way too much time staring at the locations of the abandoned quarries all over this part of Monroe County. We were tempted to veer from the path to hike around these treasures, but the creek proved more of a river this day.
Happy for our waterproof boots we enjoyed watching runners try to walk water where the creek flooded and finding our first crawdad of the season. Another sign that Spring is right around the corner.
At the southern end of the trail you'll find a historic 150′ bridge with great views of the creek and lovely trail hikers. Just south of where the Clear Creek trail meets the B-line there is parking and excellent picnic spots. Though the B-line comes to an end at Church Lane the trail continues south where the train once ran.
For a manicured city park, the Clear Creek trail offers some beautiful scenes and a bit of wildness well within reach of home.
