Hoosier Hikers Library
Below is a compilation of handy resources for Indiana hikers, some of which are out of print or otherwise difficult to locate. Some are provided mostly for historical interest, and trails referenced may be non-existent, unmarked, and/or located on private land. We do not recommend venturing off published, well-marked trails, and especially those on private land should always be avoided.
If you have other non-copyrighted materials that can be shared here, please contact us at HoosierHikersCouncil@gmail.com.
Deam Wilderness Artifacts Guide
Newhall, Stanley; Lane, Gary. Date unknown.
This 27 page printable booklet provides directions and maps to many interesting former home sites and other buildings and artifacts within the Charles Deam Wilderness Area.
Early Indiana Trails and Surveys
Wilson, George R., C.E., L.L.B. Indiana Historical Society Press. 1919.
This short book describes trails that animals, native Americans, and pioneers used in the earliest days of Indiana. The book also gives a glimpse into the lives of early Hoosiers. The link above opens an online version of the book. To purchase a hard copy, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Historical-Publications-Transactions-American-Philosophical/dp/0871950057.
Tecumseh Trail Guide
Leffelman, Cindy L. 2017
This free on-line Adobe pdf booklet provides navigational, camping, water, parking, and other information on the HHC-built Tecumseh Trail. You can use this guide to plan and assist your hike of the popular Tecumseh Trail in Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests.
Trail Building Guide
Banta, Peter W. 2012
This free on-line Adobe pdf booklet provides a brief summary of basic natural surface trail building techniques. This represents HHC’s current views on best trail building practices that will result in a durable, lasting path.
Historic Ken Tuxhorn Trails
The late Ken Tuxhorn was a former school teacher and principal who created and maintained a series of trails throughout Brown and Monroe counties starting in 1949. He did this as part of a charity he founded to support Scouts and the hiker community, called the Outdoor Educational Activities Incorporated. The headquarters was a large, old house along Bear Wallow Road in Brown County that still stands to this day.
The HHC provides these documents here for historical purposes only. While they do show these former hiking routes, they should not be, nor are intended to be, used as navigational maps for hiking in the present time. Only a small percent of the former routes is a foot path on publicly accessible forest land. Most of the routes’ miles are along established roads, and a remaining portion traverses private property. While small portions are still accessible, it is a respect for private property and public land manager policies that prevent these routes from being hiked end-to-end in the present day. Please be careful to never trespass on private property, nor hike on routes not approved and published by managers of public lands.
There are portions of the historic Tuxhorn routes that are publicly accessible and approved, e.g., on the TNC Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve Trail, the “L”-10 O’Clock Line Trail at Brown County State Park, and at Sycamore Landtrust’s Trevlac Bluffs. Pay attention to trail blazes in these areas; if you see painted metal ones, they are generally original Tuxhorn markers, some so old they are partially covered by the growth of the tree trunk. White rectangles are most commonly seen, and triangles of different colors, denoting turns, can also be found on occasion.
Tuxhorn Yellowwood Trace Route, for historical purposes only
Ken Tuxhorn. 1949.
This document shows the historical Yellowwood Trace, starting at Morgan-Monroe State Forest Headquarters and ending at the former Tuxhorn headquarters on Bear Wallow Road in Brown County. Per the note above, in order for us to continue sharing these historical documents, please do not use this to hike on private land, nor on routes unapproved and unpublished by managers of public land.
Tulip Tree Trace
Tuxhorn Tulip Tree Trace Route, for historical purposes only
Ken Tuxhorn. Date unknown.
This document shows the historical Tulip Tree Trace, starting at Morgan-Monroe State Forest Headquarters and ending at Yellowwood Lake. Per the note above, in order for us to continue sharing these historical documents, please do not use this to hike on private land, nor on routes unapproved and unpublished by managers of public land.