Orangeville Rise, Wesley Chapel Gulf, & Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest

Spend the afternoon exploring unusual karst surrounding the Lost River and hiking in virgin forests near French Lick and Paoli, IN.

"Wesley Chapel Gulf was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1972 due to its impressive geologic features. The gulf provides a rare glimpse of the Lost River on its subterranean path. Several other karst features are represented in the immediate area of the Gulf including swallow holes, sinkholes, and caves." -- from USDA

We'll spend the afternoon exploring the area. We'll start at Wesley Chapel Gulf, then goto Orangeville Rise for some off-trail exploration, and finish off at Pioneer Mothers with a 2.6 mile hike.

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: approx. 4 miles total
• Pace: casual

What to Bring

• Long Pants (for possible briars)
• Sturdy shoes for hiking
• Day Bag
• Water (for drinking) and snacks
• Packed lunch (in your day bag)
• Sunscreen and Bug spray
• Walking stick or hiking poles (optional)
• Clean shoes for the car ride (leave in the car)
• Machete, if you have one :)

When / Where

We'll carpool from Lowes in Evansville.

==ALL TIMES LISTED IN CST ==

• 10:30a - Meet at Lowe's to Carpool
• 12:30p- Arrive at Destination, begin exploring
• 4:00p - return home
• 6:00p - arrive in Evansville

Ground Rules

• No children.
• No dogs.

Maps / Information

• Carpool: https://maps.app.goo.gl/D2uy7QnsgFqwChZ26
• Parking @ Wesley Chapel Gulf: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PExf84aKQhUEAgpR7
• Parking @ Orangeville Rise: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RKcJuHAWT5UK5dwM8
• Parking @ Pioneer Mothers Mem. Forest: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z36T7yQKnhE6gut78

Further Reading:

• DNR - Wesley Chapel Gulf
• USDA - Wesley Chapel Gulf
• IKC - Orangeville Rise
• IUPUI - Lost River (1932)
• USDA - Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest