The remains of old-growth trees at Calvert Porter woods

Before I begin, I must swear the entire audience of this column to secrecy.

There is nothing I like better than stumbling across a hidden gem, some unique place in our state that most folks don’t know about and have never seen.  However, I’m not sure I’m allowed to tell you where I went hiking today.

To be sure, there aren’t any “No Trespassing signs” at this state-owned property. In fact, the signs along the border of the property contain a list of prohibited activities but “hiking” isn’t one of them.  I also checked with a buddy who works for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that it would be OK, though he couldn’t technically give me permission to visit.

So, in light of these factors, I’ll go ahead and share the “secret” with both of my regular readers: a friend and I just got back from hiking in Calvert-Porter Woods State Nature Preserve.

Oak tree

Located in eastern Montgomery County, this preserve has no public facilities, trails or even roadside parking and you will find very little mention of the area in DNR literature.  I accidentally stumbled across it while driving around looking for a nearby elk farm.

The official signs marking the perimeter of these 112-acre woods caught my attention and I did a bit of research.  It turned out to be a state-owned nature preserve known for huge trees, though it is not technically old-growth forest due to some prior logging.  Nonetheless, it is unique enough to be listed as a National Natural Landmark by the National Parks Service.

Enormous sugar maple

The preserve doesn’t really stand out because it appears simply to be another large woodlot surrounded by corn and soybean fields in the endless agricultural landscape of central Indiana.  However, the appearance is deceiving.

The area is unique due to the almost nonexistent logging since the first white settlers arrived.  Thus, the preserve not only has some impressive trees but also protects a huge variety of species that typically disappear in other such woods as they are clear-cut during lumbering operations.  Calvert-Porter is truly like an island amidst the cornfield oceans of Indiana.

Winter sun

The day was cool and a bit overcast as we parked in a small gravel pullout at the east frontage of the preserve.  Since no field operations were possible due to the wet ground, I was hoping the farmer wouldn’t call the police due to a van blocking his field access.

We entered the woods and were immediately surprised to find marker ribbons and an obvious trail.  Walking down the wide, cleared path it became obvious that the DNR was building a trail through the preserve.   This was another deciding factor in my choice to publicize our hike.

Wet grounds

The ground was saturated and the bare-dirt trail was spongy as we wound into the forest.  Initially, I wasn’t impressed.  The preserve was simply woodland, like every other woods I’ve seen in the state.  The trees weren’t especially noteworthy and I thought that we’d have a nice but rather boring hike.

A few moments later my opinion changed.  Turning a corner, I saw a huge fallen tree that had smashed the surrounding forest like a giant fist.

The tree was old and rotten enough that I couldn’t determine the species but it certainly was impressive.  The hollow trunk was big enough that a person could easily curl up inside if you didn’t mind rotten wood and assorted animal droppings.

Fallen giant

This fallen giant was extraordinary but merely a warm-up for things to come.  The cleared trail eventually disappeared though ribbons indicated where it would continue when manpower or funds became available.  Following the pink and yellow tags until they also finally stopped, we just began wandering around the woods.

Bushwhacking around the south and west side of the forest, we found some truly spectacular trees.  There were oak trees that were at least five feet in diameter along with maple trees that would require a troop of Boy Scouts to encircle.  I found the largest black cherry tree that I’ve ever seen, along with huge shagbark hickory, black locust and walnut.

The leafless trees clawed at the sky like huge gray skeletons, hard to comprehend and even a little frightening.    It was awe-inspiring to realize that they were mute witnesses to the entire recorded history of this area and had stood firm against the worst storms in our collective record books.

Without reservation, I must say that the woodlands of Calvert-Porter are truly remarkable.

Unfortunately, here’s the catch: I’m not going to reveal the location due to the fact that I’m not completely sure the preserve is officially open to the public and there are as yet no facilities.

However, if you’d like to visit, simply do a bit of sleuthing and you’ll find it.

Just don’t tell anyone I told you.

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