A Hiker’s Path: Hunting fossils in Fallen Timber Creek at Versailles State Park

It had been awhile since I had visited Versailles State Park, a year to be exact. So I decided to make the drive down to the southeast part of the state to hike at this beautiful park. It’s one of the places that I like to visit in the late fall every year! 

The area has deep history rooted in the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and in the Civilian Conservation Corp. 

The land the park sits on was once owned by the National Park Service back in the 1930s. It was later turned over to the State of Indiana and was established as a state park in 1943. It’s Indiana’s second largest state park with 5,988 acres. 

The beautiful 234-acre Versailles Lake that sits within the park, was formed in 1954. 

I always hike the same trail when I visit. It sounds redundant, but it’s so pretty in the fall. Added bonus: I can look for fossils on this trail. The Fallen Timber Creek Trail, trail 3, is 1.5 miles in length and is considered easy to hike. The trail crosses over the creek for which it is named.

The trail is historic in that it once was once an old horse and buggy road that passed by an early settler’s cabin. Around 1837, Leander Webster settled on land near the trail and built a sawmill there. He later became a leading citizen in the town of Versailles. 

It was a gorgeous day when I stepped foot onto this trail with sunshine overhead, but chilly temperatures all around. It was November after all.

I was wrapped in my layers to stay warm. The cold did not deter me from getting in a hike at one of my favorite places. 

I soon found myself hiking the familiar and well worn dirt path. I had hiked here a few times over the years. 

The filtered light from the sun shining through the leaves scattered little shadows across the forest floor. There, brown leaves that had fallen on the ground from the trees lay like a carpet all around me. These were signs of winter’s approach, but for now it was a quiet Indiana day in the woods. 

I soon came to my first crossing of Fallen Timber Creek. On this trail, I would cross the creek three times.

There are opportunities to view fossils in the creek beds along the way. The creek beds in southern Indiana are full of fossils. On my hike I saw fossilized corals, crinoids, and sea shells. A few geodes were spread around as well. Some of the fossils were embedded in the rocks while others were smaller. 

It was fun exploring this creek. Hunting fossils is one of my hobbies.

After I spent a little too much time at the creek, I continued on the path in front of me. The trail pretty much followed a straight line (with hills), and was well marked. 

It intersected with trails 1 and 2, for a total of 6 miles. I could hike as much as I wanted. There were beautiful ravines and big hills. I passed by sink holes and steep bluffs.

The late autumn scent of the damp earth along with old, rotting logs was familiar to me. It smelled like a forest. I never get tired of that scent. It’s all a part of the hike. The sights, sounds, and scents of the forest make me feel at home. 

I was in a good place.

I had a very relaxing and peaceful hike. Soon it was time to return to my car.  

To find this place: from Columbus, Indiana, drive south on I-65 toward Louisville. Drive 15.9 miles and turn off at exit 50A, onto U.S. 52 east. Drive approximately 35 miles on U.S. 50. Follow signs for the park. It’s located at 1387 E. U.S. 50, Versailles, Indiana.A quote for your week: “It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”— Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist, essayist, poet, travel writer, 1850-1894Until the next trail, Susan