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Introduction
Trail 1 is about a 1 mile loop trail that begins at the Nature Center, drops down to the canyon wall, rises to Canyon Road near Poplar Grove, and returns to the Nature Center along the ridge top. It also provides access to Trail 3 with a short spur along Canyon Road and to Trails 2 and 3 from the “crow’s foot” junction along the canyon wall.
The Park property map classes Trail 1 as ~ 0.75 mile rugged trail.
Along the Way
The Nature Center was constructed by the CCC as a horse stable in the 1930s. It persisted until the tornado in 1974 then, by 1980, it was converted to a Nature Center.
1930's horse barn
current Nature center
Leave the Nature Center and head down the trail, past the wooden footbridge (A). Ahead, on the right is an information panel on the CCC. The CCC camp was located near this junction.
where Trail 1 branches right to Poplar Grove and left down to the observation tower
CCC information panel
Continue to the left down the trail noting the abandoned foundations on the right (B). The origins of these are vestiges are not clear - they may precede the CCC era, be CCC era, or less likely be from the park campground that occupied the same location after the camp was dismantled.
abandoned foundation of poured concrete first seen
trail continues to left with surface of abandoned foundations on right
part of abandoned ruins
looking back up trail on right with abandoned foundations on left
Since leaving the Nature Center, you have been walking on a ridge top. Ahead you can see the observation tower (D) at the end of the ridge, but stop a moment. You have just walked over (C) what was to have been a train tunnel through the ridge – the passage of the 1850’s “Brough’s Folly” railway from Madison into Big Clifty canyon. The Brough’s Folly railway project was never completed and there are vestiges throughout the park. You can read more about "Brough's Folly" in our "About the Park" section.
The observation tower serves today as a viewpoint to the Ohio River and, of course, the IKEC power plant.
about over the path of a Brough-era train tunnel, observation tower ahead
the observation tower
at the observation tower; the trail goes beneath it
Now, pass the tower and turn down the hillside. At the bottom of the hill, look to the right and notice the flat lower level area to the right (E). This was to have been the railway. Turn your head back toward the hillside and imagine an opening there – the lower tunnel, long ago filled in.
looking down Trail 1 with railway to the right
looking back up trail (right) toward tunnel opening and railway path (left)
Continue your hike down and across Trail 1 using the boardwalks and footbridges. The first footbridge (F) is interesting. It crosses a substantial tributary that flows well after heavy rains. Later on you will see the top of this tributary and cross it again. If you scan the edges of the stream channel slightly downhill, you can find what might be a series of steps – on either side - heavy squared-off blocks covered with moss. Whether they continued to the bottom of the creek or if they were connected by a footbridge is not known.
abandoned steps downhill of footbridge over creek - looking south
abandoned steps downhill of footbridge over creek - looking north
Further down the trail, you come to the crow’s foot junction (G) where Trails 2 and 3 veer off – Trail 2 down to Big Clifty Creek, with its access to the south end of Trail 8, and Trail 3 to continue up-canyon to meet Hoffman Branch and Trail 4.
At this junction, where Trail 1 continues uphill to the Canyon Road, is the vestige of an abandoned water fountain (G). This is an old CCC structure, one of many built in the park, but one of only 3 remaining (none function). Look carefully for the waterline surfacing in the ground.
After climbing the steep hill and reaching the Canyon Road, Trail 1 splits left as a spur toward Trail 3 and the Poplar Grove Shelter area and right, back to the Nature Center. Go right.
crow's foot junction
vestiges of CCC water fountain at crow's foot junction
The trail leaves the roadside and heads into the woods along the edge of the hilltop. The trail will pass (on the right) the large triangular area that held the CCC camp (H) and, after its demolishing, an old campground. An information panel explains a bit about the CCC. At this point, you can return to the Nature Center and find more information (including a map and photos of the CCC camp).
approximate location of CCC camp (and later campground)
vestiges along trail in area of former park campground
vestiges along trail in area of former CCC Camp
close up of fence post vestige along trail in area of former CCC Camp
past the main camp area, a new footbridge (with pergola) over small creek that drains down to point F, above
Using Trail 1
Trail 1 can be used as a loop trail (as described here) starting and ending at the Nature Center, but is also part of these interesting hikes:
Rim-to-rim Hike (Trails 1-8)
Hoffman Canyon Loop (Trails 1, 3, and 4)
Poplar Grove Loop (Trails 1 and 3)
access to Trails 2, 3, and 8 at the south end
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