Indiana -- A Desolation of Flatness?

I've noticed there's essentially absolutely nothing in Indiana. I understand, the state is flatter than a pancake. I'm going down there for a weekend soon. Does anyone know of any bouldering or ANYTHING about existing rock in Northwest IN?

I grew up and attended college in central and northern Indiana. I was a cyclist then, and did fine with just a 5 speed "corn cob" for gearing. A highway overpass was a major change in elevation. My condolences. You might have better luck in the southern half of the state, where prehistoric glaciers didn't steamroll everything flat.

Sadly, its as flat as can be. Also, what I've heard is that climbing is illegal in state parks in Indiana. That last part is what I heard in the climbing gym in Indianapolis when I visited my mom out there a few years back. Lastly, its part of the bible belt, so no liquor/beer/spirits purchases are allowed on Sunday. So stockpile on Saturday appropriately...

Do a google search for "SoIll" - it's close enough.

Pay homage to Larry Bird by visiting French Lick

I'm pretty sure there's some routes along US 31 on a road cut somewhere south of Indianapolis. Other than that, your only option for climbing is gyms more than likely. I didn't get up to "The Region" often, but it's really not much different in topography than West Lafayette where I grew up.

If you guys think northern Indiana is flat, try central Illinois. The only topography change there is the ditch beside the road!!

somewhere down in far SE of state, there are some rolling hills just before you cross river into KY. NW Indiana? find a gym somewhere.,,porbably up near Chicago...NW Indiana, Gary, etc., you're in major gang turf territory , gunshots and chaos.

"Prohibited activities include campfires, camping, picnicking, rock climbing"

From in.gov/dnr/naturepreserve/4…

Pine Hills actually might have some rock face, but whether any of it is climbable, I do not know. It's been over 10 years since I've been there.

There *might* be some bouldering opportunities along some of the "cliffs" on the banks of Sugar Creek and the like. There's always the stone foundations/buttresses of the covered bridges...

Brown county state park has an imba epic trail if mountain biking is your thing.

Brown county state park has an imba epic trail if mountain biking is your thing.

Look in the "in progress" destination/locations on this site. Unlikely Wall and mascatatuk are the only legal areas I know of. They are not in NW Indiana. I don't know of anything up there. To pass time, check out Dunes NP. Sand dunes in Indiana. Hoosier heights is a great gym in Indy, but probably about 2 hours from NW Indiana.

There are some nice isolated crags in Indiana, they are just on the down low and for good reason.

Tim Powers wrote:There are some nice isolated crags in Indiana, they are just on the down low and for good reason.

If they are on the DL, then don't even bother replying to this thread. It doesn't add anything other than you are awesome and we are not.

Thanks, all. The Sugar Creek area actually does look like it has decent bouldering (around :31).

Turkey Run SP looks like it has some decent rock along the river, too (though apparently illegal in both cases), but I don't think I'll have the chance to get that far into the state.

I'll let you know if I find anything whatsoever on my trip to The Region. In the meantime, if anyone else has helpful information, keep the thread running!

If your in the region you'll want to head overover to Homewood,Il. There is a gym there called Climb On. There are a lot of good routes. The walls are from Eldorado. You might even talk to some people there to find out if there is anything outdoor worthy.