​For many years, a ripped out page from a 2011 Backpacker Magazine has sat on the side of my husband’s desk. On it was the feature of one of Indiana’s most well-known trail sections- the Two Lakes Loop of Indian and Celina Lakes in the Hoosier National Forest near Tell City. This was our first backpacking trip as a part of our Dozen Dozen and has always been among my favorite trails systems for the fact that it offers up all of Indiana’s finest features: deep forest, up and down hilly challenges, lakeside campsites, and ample water supply. You just can’t go wrong with a hike or paddle of the Two Lakes. However, on this scrap of paper, the journalist described a lesser known spot in the system: Jason Falls. The only real direction it gave was to bushwhack 1 mile due west of Indian Lake and you’d be treated to a hidden waterfall of about an 8-10 foot drop. Every time we have taken off for a weekend of backpacking we have such grandiose plans that a side trip to explore for Jason Falls has just not fit in. Well this week we made it our goal to invest some time getting to know Indian Lake a little more in depth, and off we went in search of the “backpackers’ paradise.”

LaRue Pine Hills is a great area to look for spring wildflowers...if you don't mind the Cottonmouths!!!
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The Snake Road in LaRue Pine Hills Nature Reserve is located in the Shawnee National Forest and is an approximately 2.5 mile section of road that is closed during the spring and fall for the migration of numerous snake species as they make their way from their winter shelter in the high cliffs down to the swampy wetlands to the west. Snakes must traverse the gravel road, which makes for unprecedented sightings and up close encounters for brave souls willing to face their fears and take on the hike. It has taken on a cult following of herp fanatics from far and wide, and on a warm 70 degree spring day, we decided to face our fears and see what we'd find...