Continuing Trail Building at Bushnell’s North Star Woods

With spring quickly approaching, Ouabache Land Conservancy once again welcomed volunteers from Hoosier Hikers Council to Bushnell’s North Star Woods for the next phase of trail development.

Returning from Bloomington, the Hoosier Hikers Council team worked alongside OLC board members Phil Cox, Brendan Kearns, and Denise Marie Sobieski to continue laying out what will become a thoughtfully designed trail. This second phase focused on precision—carefully flagging the trail route to guide future construction.

Trail building is as much about long-term stewardship as it is about access. Each section of trail is intentionally planned with the land in mind, particularly the slope of the terrain, to ensure that water naturally runs off rather than causing erosion. Flags were placed every several feet to mark the exact path, setting the stage for the next phase of work.

Despite recent heavy rains, much of the woods remained dry and workable, a sign that the land drains well in some areas. But nearby, along Sulfur Creek, high water levels made it obvious that certain sections would not be suitable for trails. Observations like these help ensure that future trails are both durable and respectful of the landscape.

There were also early signs of the changing season. On sunny slopes, patches of Harbinger of Spring, one of the first wildflowers to bloom each year, had begun to emerge!

Work will continue in the coming weeks, including clearing larger downed trees ahead of construction. A volunteer workday with Hoosier Hikers Council is planned for March 21, when additional hands and equipment will help move the project forward.

We’re grateful to Hoosier Hikers Council for their continued partnership and to the volunteers who are helping shape the future of Bushnell’s North Star Woods, one step at a time.