Central Indiana Wilderness Club

06/05/2026

Katy Trail Bike Trip • Missouri 🚴‍♀️🌿
August 1–8, 2026
Ride through charming towns, riverside views, and optional winery stops 🍷

✔ 200 miles • Moderate difficulty
✔ Gear shuttle included 🚐
✔ Mix of lodging + camping 🏨⛺

$800 Trip Fee • Final payment due July 1
Waitlist available (does not guarantee a spot)

✨ Adventure starts here
👉 Learn More: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6512037

06/02/2026

🌿 Join us for the CIWC Annual Picnic on Sunday, June 28!
We’ll be at Cool Creek Park, Shelter C, from 11 AM to 3 PM, and everyone — members and guests — is invited.
Here’s what’s happening throughout the day:
🚴‍♂️ 11:00 AM – Group bike ride led by John South
🥾 11:00 AM – Self‑guided hike on the park’s wooded trails
🍗 12:30 PM – Lunch (CIWC provides fried chicken and water; bring a dish to share + your own beverages)
🐦 2:00 PM – Birding presentation by Naturalist Amanda Smith, followed by an optional visit to the nature center
Bring a lawn chair, a favorite game, and any photos or memories from 2025 trips. A table will be available if you’d like to bring gear to sell or give away.
📍 Cool Creek Park, Shelter C
📅 June 28, 2026 • 11 AM – 3 PM
🔗 Please register at the following link so we know how many to plan for https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6713076
Questions? Email [email protected].

05/24/2026

🌊Ready to cool off and learn something new this summer? Join us on June 10 for a fun CIWC meeting all about paddling in Indiana. Great for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike.
Please register to help us anticipate turnout: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503595

05/19/2026

🌟 CIWC Backpacking Adventure: Red River Gorge, KY — July 14–16, 2026 🌟
Ready to spend three days exploring one of the most stunning geological areas in the Midwest? Join CIWC for a 20‑mile backpacking loop through the iconic Red River Gorge — natural arches, rugged ridgelines, deep forest, and unforgettable views.
Trip Highlights:
• 📍 Red River Gorge Geological Area
• 🥾 Moderate terrain, ~1000 ft elevation gain, up to 10 miles/day
• 🎒 Wilderness Level 2 | Fitness Level 3
• 🧭 2 nights on trail, 20‑mile loop
• 🌉 Natural arches + scenic overlooks
• 🍕 Final‑day stop at the famous Miguel’s Pizza
• 🚐 Group travel from Indianapolis in a 12‑person van
• 🐻 Bear canisters required (club has a few available)
Trip Leaders: Harry Morris & A’ame Joslin
Trip Cost: $135 (due at signup)
Group Size: Max 8 | Adults + High School Youth welcome

Registration Options:
• ✔️ Standard Signup: $135
• ⏳ Waitlist Signup: $135 (refunded if you never make the roster)
Important: A $50 non‑refundable cancellation fee applies once you make the active roster.
This trip is perfect if you:
✔️ Want a moderate backpacking challenge
✔️ Can hike 6–8 miles/day with a 25–35 lb pack
✔️ Love natural arches, rugged terrain, and big adventure energy
✔️ Want to explore with a supportive, fun outdoor community
📩 Questions? Email: [email protected]
📝 Required: CIWC Medical Form + Liability Release
👉 Register here: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6627815
Spots are limited — grab yours before the roster fills.

05/19/2026

Another successful BBT Beginner Backpacking trip a couple of weekends ago. Perfect weather and cheerful participants interested in learning more about being self sufficient in wilderness. We did have it a bit cushy with a pump for water, an outhouse and a picnic table but it was still a hike in. At Shades State Park

05/12/2026

🌳 CIWC Volunteer Day at Holliday Park — June 13, 2026 🌳
Each year, CIWC “gives back” to Holliday Park for generously allowing us free use of their space for our socials, workshops, classes, and events. Now it’s our turn to show up and support the park that supports us.
We’re looking for 15–20 volunteers to help with light outdoor work—think simple yard clean‑up or landscaping tasks.
👕 Dress in work clothes
🧤 Gloves & tools provided
📝 You may need to sign a waiver onsite
Your time helps us meet our partnership goals and keeps this amazing space available for future CIWC events.
🔗 Please RSVP on our website to help us anticipate attendance:
https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503608
Thank you for helping us give back to a place we all enjoy.

05/11/2026

🚴‍♂️ CIWC Cycle the Nickel Plate Trail: Kokomo → Rochester
📅 July 11–12, 2026
📍 Nickel Plate Trail, Kokomo, IN
💲 Trip Fee: $150
🔗 Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6512261
Ready for a summer ride with great company, smooth trail miles, and a little circus fun along the way? Join CIWC for a two‑day cycling adventure on the beautiful 45‑mile Nickel Plate Trail!
What’s Included:
• Transportation to/from the Indy north‑side meeting point
• Luggage transport each day
• Hotel stay (2 per room)
• Tickets to the Peru Amateur Circus
• A fully supported, fun weekend with fellow cyclists
Trip Highlights:
🚴 Day 1: Kokomo → Peru (20 miles), dinner, showers & circus
🚴 Day 2: Peru → Rochester (25 miles)
🍦 Ice cream stop highly likely
🛏️ Lodging included
🥾 Wilderness Level: 2
⚙️ Trip Difficulty: Moderate (12 mph pace, paved/hard‑pack trail)
Trip Leaders: John South & TBD
Group Size: Max 8
Adults; youth with leader approval
Important Dates:
• Full payment due by June 10, 2026
• $50 non‑refundable registration fee applies once on the roster
• Waitlist option available (does not guarantee a spot)
Questions? Email [email protected]
All participants must submit a CIWC Medical Form & Liability Release.
Come ride, explore, laugh, and enjoy a classic CIWC summer weekend.

04/30/2026

🌿 Two CIWC Day Adventures Coming Up — Grab Your Spot! 🌿
🥾 1️⃣ Morgan–Monroe Day Hike — May 30
Ready to level up your trail game? Tackle the 10.2‑mile Low Gap Trail with rugged terrain, water crossings, a 300 ft climb, and spring wildflowers along the way.
📍 Unionville, IN
🕘 9:00 AM–1:30 PM
👥 Adults only | Open to the public
🎒 Great training hike with scenic views
🔗 Register: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6652513

🚴 2️⃣ Bike the Nickel Plate Trail — May 9
A relaxed, easy ride perfect for spring miles and good company.
📍 Richey Woods Nature Preserve, Fishers
🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
🔗 Register: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6545059
✨ Explore. Connect. Get outside with CIWC.
Questions? [email protected]

04/23/2026

🥾The weekend is almost here and with it, three fabulous hikes at the Mounds State Recreation Area at Brookville Lake. Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3! 📝Note: These hikes are for adults and children 16 or over accompanied by an adult. No dogs other than service dogs.

🌄 Hike the Adena Trace with CIWC — Three Consecutive Day Hikes at Brookville Lake!
Join CIWC for three back‑to‑back day hikes at Brookville Lake, April 24–26!
Choose one, two, or all three — complete all three and you’ll finish the full Adena Trace Trail.
All hikes are open to the public and led by Host Nancy Myers.

🥾 Friday, April 24 — Fairfield → Templeton Creek (~4 miles, Moderate)
Meet: 3:30 PM • Depart: 3:45 PM • Return: ~6:00 PM
Meeting Location: Templeton Creek Trailhead (GPS 39.49591, -84.95761)
Spaces Left: 6
Highlights: One‑way hike, creek crossings (including concrete pilings), moderate terrain.
Bring: Sturdy footwear, 1 liter water, rain layers.
👉 Register: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6550653

🥾 Saturday, April 25 — Wolf Creek Trail (~14 miles, Rugged)
Meet: 8:30 AM • Depart: 8:40 AM • Return: ~6:00 PM
Meeting Location: Brookville Dam Spillway/Tailwater Parking (GPS 39.43690, -85.00192)
Highlights: Long, rugged one‑way hike with multiple creek crossings; no road access along the trail.
Bring: Sturdy footwear, 3 liters water, lunch, snacks, electrolytes, whistle, Ten Essentials, extra socks.
👉 Register: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6550684

🥾 Sunday, April 26 — Bonwell → Templeton (~11 miles, Moderate)
Meet: 9:00 AM • Depart: 9:15 AM • Return: ~4:00 PM
Meeting Location: Templeton Creek Trailhead (GPS 39.49591, -84.95761)
Spaces Left: 7
Highlights: One‑way hike covering the Bonwell, Eagle, Woodland, and Garr Hill trails; longest stretch is a 5‑mile section with no vehicle access.
Bring: Sturdy footwear, 3 liters water, lunch, snacks, electrolytes, whistle, Ten Essentials.
👉 Register: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6550690

General Notes for All Three Hikes
- One‑way routes with voluntary shuttling
- Trails may be slick, muddy, rooty, or have fallen trees
- Spotty cell service throughout the area
- Email questions to [email protected]

04/18/2026

📢Good news! The deadline to sign up has been extended and there are still a couple of openings. This course is a great resource for anyone enjoying a wilderness experience.

If you missed the Basic Wilderness First Aid + CPR training in February, no worries, we've got another upcoming session!
🌲 When things go wrong outdoors, will you know what to do?
Build real confidence with Basic Wilderness First Aid + CPR training.
📅 May 2, 2026
📍 Beech Grove Masonic Lodge, IN
⏰ 9:00 AM–6:30 PM (CPR begins at 4:30 PM)
Learn how to handle injuries, emergencies, and unexpected situations on the trail from an experienced EMT and outdoor leader. Ideal for CIWC trip leaders, aspiring leaders, and anyone who spends time in nature.
🔒 Spots limited | Registration closes April 16th
A field guide is included, and CPR certification options are available.
👉 Register here: [https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6599286]
Questions: [email protected]