Nine Penny Branch Nature Preserve

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

I recently went on a hike at a new location (well one I have never been too).  I went with my buddy Mark and about 18 strangers as part of a Nature walk narrated and lead by Jeremy Beavin.  He is a Park Ranger and Interpretive Naturalist for the Indiana State Parks.  More specifically Charlestown State Park.  The hike was a short trek, but quite enjoyable.  I hiked 2.57 miles in total.

So this was different in many ways than my norm.  I was not alone or just with Mark, a new trail to me, and I went later in the day (I always like going in the morning).  I did, however, have my camera a new lens, I was in nature and I did find a bit of solace and peace out there.

At 2 pm on the dot, Jeremy began his introduction.  He explained where we were (if not obvious by the big sign he was standing next to), what the trail was going to be like and his plan for today’s tour of the woods behind him.  We began our adventure into Nine Penny Branch Nature Preserve.

Thirty seconds into the hike Mark turned to me and said: “I’ll be back, I’ll catch up”.  He turned and headed back to the Jeep.  I found out later he needed some ibuprofen.  The path below was littered with newly fallen leaves, yet there was a crunch below my feet that I later saw and learned was gravel.

We made it about ¼ mile maybe less and we stopped to learn about the trees around us, an invasive beetle, and how it destroyed the trees.  We moved on and then stopped again, learning about the purpose of the trail, why the gravel was there, who sold the land to the state and what the sellers intended purpose was.  Hint, a Nature Preserve.  We had one more stop before we reached the bottom and the creek.  At this point, the ranger mentioned this is where “the easy part stops and anyone is welcome to head back.”  Mark whispered to me “this is where losers turn around.”

I soon found myself crossing a semi-dry creek bed, hopping unsteadily over unstable large rocks.  By this time I had purposely made my way to the back of the group, along with Mark, snapping a few pictures (excuse me Mark, photographs) along the way.  Across from the creek I traversed a narrow path up the side of a hill.  There was a steep drop to the right and a set of large moss-covered rocks on the left.  The rocks had many hidden holes sprinkled throughout the wall of rocks.  I imagined these holes would be perfect for snakes or other ominous creatures to lay wake and strike at any moment.  The mid-fifty-degree weather provided undesirable conditions for such creatures.  Beneath me were the various size and shaped rocks attempting to reach out and grab the toe or heel of my boots in an attempt to send me to the ground or over the edge down into the ravine.  My eyes were directed ahead, up and all around (what photographers do) and I found myself tripping quite often due to not watching where I was stepping.

I made it to the top of the hill and we had a series of additional stops, filled with information about trees such as birch and poplar many which stood over 100 feet tall with trunks that would have taken 2 or 3 men to connect arms to wrap around them.   Mark told me that he was there a few days before hiking the trail, and whispered “these were not here the other day” and added, “maybe they are Ents like from the Lord of the Rings and move around every day.”  See what I have to deal with?

Soon we made our way around the loop and were ascending down the narrow path I mentioned earlier.  The group ‘knew’ its way back and began to scatter and take off.  Mark and I brought up the rear continuing to take photographs as we made our way back to the Jeep.  Mark, full of wisdom, explained that he heard or read that Nine Penny Branch got its name from the wages (nine pennies a day) the workers received to build this road (see the link above).  According to Mark a man accidentally dropped his daily wage, or nine pennies, in the creek and thus the name stuck.

We reached the parking lot and exchanged pleasantries with the ranger.  I asked how the place got its name and he stated “there is a bridge just down the road that crosses the creek.  There used to be a hermit/homeless man that lived there and fell to his death.”  He added that “there is (or maybe was) a nearby Boy scout camp and the story was told to the kids to keep them from wandering off at night that if you place 9 pennies on the bridge it will keep the man’s ghost away.  That the next day the pennies would be gone.”  Mark quickly told his story and the ranger agreed he had heard that version as well.

We drove off and headed back to Mark’s house to get my car.  I drove off thinking about the hike, how hiking always clears my mind and calms my soul.  As always I enjoyed my time with Mark and the discovery of a new trail.  I plan to visit this again after a good rain to see flowing water and better opportunities for pictures.

I will leave you with a quote from Bill.  Well, that is what I call him.  You may know him as William Shakespeare “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.”

Until next time

Tim