I copied and pasted the photo from the latest newsletter for the Hoosier Hiker's Council. They are the organization responsible for building and maintaining the Tecumseh Trail in Indiana. I think the Knobstone Trail is more well known among hikers, but we Hoosiers also have the Tecumseh Trail a bit further north and a bit shorter. I consider it the gentler and friendlier cousin to the Knobstone Trail.
Anyways, the trail has been officially closed at crossing over State Route 45 and the railroad parallel to the state road for a couple years now. The railroad decided to close the road crossing over the railroad without notice, then the county closed Indian Hill Road from State Route 45 to the railroad crossing. Technically the Tecumseh Trail has been closed at that location and if you wanted to legally hike the whole trail, you need to take a very roundabout way that went a couple miles out of the way. I understand why the railroad and county would close this to cars, it's a bit of a nightmare crossing and too expensive to rebuild. But it's a giant pain in the ass for hikers, who aren't going to get hit by a train unless they sit there with the intent of being hit by a train. Additionally, hiking on a state highway, even a lightly traveled one like SR 45, is still more dangerous than the dinky railroad crossing, but liability and stuff.
Well, it seems like some easement deals have been worked out with the local landowners that allows for a slightly less roundabout permanent re-route. It does require 1.1 miles of road walking. Probably my least favorite part of the Tecumseh Trail is the amount of road walking necessary in some parts, but private property access and all that. Regardless, I am happy at the possibility of the Tecumseh Trail being connected once again and being able to hike it without violating any trail closures.
Oh, that's great to hear. Planning on being out there tentatively end of June so hopefully it'll be all set by then. We were originally going last summer and were not looking forward to that original reroute.
Thanks for the update! I went SOBO two weeks ago solo and I’m going again tomorrow with a group of ladies. I chose to just cross the railroad track but I’m happy to hear about a way to follow the rules!
Yea i have a feeling that any veteran of the trail is going to walk over the railroad because why the hell go two miles out of your way when you can literally see the other side of the trail.
I copied and pasted the photo from the latest newsletter for the Hoosier Hiker's Council. They are the organization responsible for building and maintaining the Tecumseh Trail in Indiana. I think the Knobstone Trail is more well known among hikers, but we Hoosiers also have the Tecumseh Trail a bit further north and a bit shorter. I consider it the gentler and friendlier cousin to the Knobstone Trail.
Anyways, the trail has been officially closed at crossing over State Route 45 and the railroad parallel to the state road for a couple years now. The railroad decided to close the road crossing over the railroad without notice, then the county closed Indian Hill Road from State Route 45 to the railroad crossing. Technically the Tecumseh Trail has been closed at that location and if you wanted to legally hike the whole trail, you need to take a very roundabout way that went a couple miles out of the way. I understand why the railroad and county would close this to cars, it's a bit of a nightmare crossing and too expensive to rebuild. But it's a giant pain in the ass for hikers, who aren't going to get hit by a train unless they sit there with the intent of being hit by a train. Additionally, hiking on a state highway, even a lightly traveled one like SR 45, is still more dangerous than the dinky railroad crossing, but liability and stuff.
Well, it seems like some easement deals have been worked out with the local landowners that allows for a slightly less roundabout permanent re-route. It does require 1.1 miles of road walking. Probably my least favorite part of the Tecumseh Trail is the amount of road walking necessary in some parts, but private property access and all that. Regardless, I am happy at the possibility of the Tecumseh Trail being connected once again and being able to hike it without violating any trail closures.