Porter West Nature Preserve
Natural Areas: Porter West Nature Preserve
Mushroom. Click to enlarge
Porter West is a Sycamore Land Trust property comprising 230 acres in western Monroe County. The trail system consists of three connected loops. The southern segment is easy walking but a bit close to IN 48 for my taste, especially where the trail skirts structures on a neighboring property, though it does offer limited views of several ponds inside its southwest corner. Consider devoting the bulk of your time to the two northern loops, where you’ll encounter mature woods, wildflowers in season, and numerous sinkholes. High voltage power lines pretty much bisect the preserve, running SSW-NNE, but otherwise this is an interesting destination.
Trail Map
Click to enlarge
Directions
Monroe County. From I-69 Exit 118, west 4.8 miles on IN 48 to Vernal Pike, then right 0.2 miles to a parking area on the left.
GPS: N 39 10.258 W 86 39.691
Facilities
None
Finder Sketch
Click to enlarge
Nearby Natural Areas (miles)
Leonard Springs Nature Park (6.8)
Canyon Forest Nature Preserve (7.7)
Greens Bluff (8.5)
McCormick's Creek State Park (11)
Beanblossom Bottoms (11.1)
Powell Nature Preserve (12.8)
Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve (15.8)
Scarlet Oak Woods (16.3)
Cedar Nature Preserve (19.2)