Trail 1 is about a 1 mile loop trail that begins at the Nature Center, drops down the canyon side wall rising to the Canyon Road beyond Poplar Grove and returning 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 at the “crow’s foot” junction in the canyon.

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, converted to a Nature Center.

Leave the Nature Center and head down the trail, over the wooden footbridge. Ahead, on the right is an Infographic panel (A) on the CCC. The CCC camp was located at this junction.

Continue to the left down the trail noting the abandoned foundations on the right (B). These are vestiges of either the CCC camp area or the later park campground that occupied at the same location after the camp was disbanded. To the left, down the hillside, might be the remnants of a lime kiln (ca. 1850s from the Brough’s railway).

Since leaving the wooden footbridge, 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 be a train tunnel through the ridge – the passage of the 1850’s “Brough’s Folly” railway from Madison into Big Clifty canyon.

The observation tower serves today as a viewpoint to the Ohio River and, of course, the IKEC power plant.

Now, pass the tower and turn down the hillside. At the bottom of the hill, you will note the flat lower level area to the right (E). This was to have been the railway and turn your head back into the hillside and imagine an opening there – the lower tunnel, long abandoned and filled in.

Continue your hike down Trail 1 using the boardwalks and footbridges. The first footbridge (F) in 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 draw 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.

Further down the trail, you come to the crow’s foot junction where Trails 2 and 3 veer off – Trail 2 down to Big Clifty Creek and an access point to Trail 8 at its south end, 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 top, Trail 1 splits left as a spur toward Trail 3 and Poplar Grove Shelter area and right, back to the Nature Center. Go right.

The trail will leave the roadside and head along the edge of the hilltop passing the area that held the CCC camp (H) and, after its demolishing, an old campground. An Infographic panel (A) 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).