Hall Woods
Natural Areas: Hall Woods
State Designated Nature Preserve [#96; 1987]
Big Walnut Creek. Click to enlarge
Hall Woods offers mature woods and access to Big Walnut Creek, one of the highest-quality streams in the state. This preserve is part of a complex of protected land along Big Walnut Creek that encompasses several thousand acres.
A mowed path leads from the parking area, soon veering right to follow a ridge top. Continue straight at the post that marks the start of the loop. The path descends, passing a small and enigmatic but well-maintained cabin on the left, before heading down a wooden staircase to the confluence of Big Walnut Creek and one of its minor tributaries. The path turns and heads upstream through floodplain forest; look for the bright red, five-part blossoms of fire pink along here in summer.
Cerulean, northern Parula, and yellow-throated warblers call from the treetops, and worm-eating warblers hold forth in the ravines. The gradual ascent meanders slowly through stands of broad beech, fragile, and maidenhair ferns. On reaching a bluff overlooking a small stream, the trail angles left to the start of the loop.
Trail Map
Click to enlarge
Directions
Putnam County. From the stop light in Bainbridge, go east 1.0 mile on US 36 to CR 300E, then right 0.5 miles to a parking area on the left.
GPS: N 39 45.361 W 86 47.237
Facilities
None
Finder Sketch
Click to enlarge
Nearby Natural Areas (miles)
Fortune Woods (5.9)
McCloud Nature Park (11.1)