The Pioneer Trail was founded years ago, before the Hoosier Hiker’s Council (HHC) and the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association (KHTA) split apart. It connected the Knobstone Trail with trails in the Hoosier National Forest, mostly through a roadwalk along quiet, rural roads, but it also included two lovely forested paths through private land.
The Christy Easement started from the HHC Camp, passed close to the Frank Fisher Barn, and then through an ATV park. It was the site of the “Monkey Butt” trail, pictured above. The Hiker’s Knob Easement passed up and over a beautiful, wooded ridge. There’s a bench atop the ridge with seasonal views of the Muscatatuck River.
Unfortunately, a dispute between the HHC and KHTA has led to the easements being revoked, and hikers are no longer allowed on most of the private land along the Pioneer Trail. The Hoosier Heritage Trail Mapset has already been revised with alternate routes. You can get the new mapset here. The FarOut map of the Knobstone Hiking Trail is in the process of being revised.
I’ve walked both easement sections seven or eight times over the last two years, doing trail maintenance, touching up the blazes, and just for fun. I’ll miss both trails.
However, there may be a better path available. It may be possible to route the trail through the Starve Hollow area, picking up 8-10 miles of wooded trail and shortening the distance between campsites. I plan to spend much of the next week exploring this option, looking for the best route for the trail in light of the lost easement sections.
–Mike Mullin
Leave a Reply