Sign Up  /  Login

Butterfly Path LbNA #25172 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 3, 2006
Location:
City:Columbus
County:Bartholomew
State:Indiana
Boxes:1
Planted by:Freedom
Found by: Happy Trails!
Last found:Nov 9, 2009
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFm
Last edited:Sep 3, 2006
Box is missing for the second time, but the walk is still great. 3/13/2011
Columbus is a city noted (in “National Geographic” twice) for its architecture, beautiful homes, an informative visitors’ center, etc. Touch the Earth Nature Preserve consists of 98 acres of rolling woods, grasslands, and meadows. There is no charge to enjoy the trails.

Directions to Touch the Earth Nature Preserve: I65 Exit 68 turn onto St. Rd. 46 West going toward Nashville and Bloomington. After driving 3 ½ miles East from the exit, turn left onto Country Club Rd. It is the next road after 550W on the left. Proceed 4/10 of a mile till you see a stone house on your right. The nature preserve is on your left (across from the stone house). Park on the grass and fill out the registration form in the information box.

Start your search by walking East (go right while facing the sign-in book). Follow the path into the woods, down the hill, and over a footbridge. When you come to a split in the trail, turn left onto Shawnee Trail. Cross over another footbridge and continue on the path through a lovely meadow. Turn right at the “Y” at Shawnee Loop. Briefly enter the woods, continue into a meadow and open field. Turn left at the platform and sit down for a few minutes on the bench to enjoy the beauty of the area. Continue on the trail, going into and out of the woods. Notice a large oak tree on the right. One large branch of this oak tree hangs over the path. Fifteen paces past this limb you will see a cedar tree also on the right. At the base of the tree is a large rock. You will find what you seek in the fork of this tree. By all means, be discreet! When replacing the box please place broken limbs in front of it to assure that it can not be seen from the trail.

Continue following the trail. When you come to a “Y”, go right. This trail will take you back to your car. If you want to explore the remainder of the preserve, continue straight to the second “Y” (where you will see the sign for Shawnee Loop.) Turn right to retrace your steps to the intersection of the Shawnee and Lenape trails. Turn left and follow the trail. You will return to the parking area from the South.

Be careful driving out of the parking lot as there is a blind curve to the right.

Before you set out, read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.