I had no knowledge about backpacking until I met a woman who through hiked the A.T. 10 years ago. She shared several enthusiastic stories and pictures of her hike. Each story was told as if she had just finished the trail.

Lucky for me there was a beginning backpacking class this spring. After several Saturdays of classroom and in the field training we finally had out first backpacking adventure to Lake Vesuvius. This trip was planned by Steve our COP instructor and leader. We had a great group and wonderful time, rain included.

The next logical step was to enroll into the intermediate backpacking class. This class began the week following our Vesuvius trip. The purpose of this class is to take a beginning backpacker to become a leader of local backpacking trips for yourself or COP. The skill obtained from this class emphasized planning, planning and more planning. Knowing as much as possible about where you are going, why you are going, who is going, what are you taking, any risks? And much more.

One week into the class Lisa and I were assigned to plan our first class trip for the next weekend. So where do we go? The class listed all the different locations the students have hiked and or backpacked. The assignment was to pick a new location. We overheard the other two groups discussing West Virginia and Pennsylvania. So what about Ohio? Yea, but that's not unique. Let's took at Indiana.

My first thought was Hoosier National Forest. After looking on the internet and reading Hiking Indiana. My research found that there are only a couple of trails that do not allow horses in Hoosier National Forest. I found information both in my book and on-line for Morgan-Monroe State Forest. This forest had more than 24,000 acres located in south central Indiana with steep ridges, valleys and many hardwoods.

This area had several hiking trails, Rock shelter loop 3 miles), Mason Ridge Loop (2.7 miles), Three Lakes Trail (10 miles) and Low Gap Trail (10 miles). Lisa and I reviewed the two longer tails and decided on the Low Gap Trail. This was a loop trail. According to both the internet and book this trail was described as rugged. What does that mean'? It is not defined in the book. As a novice backpacker I called and asked the park office. I was basically told that it was not recommended for inexperienced hikers.

Lisa and I planned our menu for 9 backpackers (breakfast and dinner). We made copies of the trail, description of the hike and maps to get to Morgan-Monroe State Forest. We traveled in three cars on a Friday night. Our first night was spent at the park campgrounds.

Getting up early on Saturday morning the 7 students and one COP leader set out on our first class trip. We went to the park office to register and pay our overnight fees ($2.00/person) to camp in the Back Country Area.

Off to the trail head' The area was surround with lush pine trees. Hiking as a group we all enjoyed the fern-carpeted slope of Sweedy Hollow. Although this was a steep descent it was made easy with many switchbacks. At the bottom of the ravine we hiked along a creek crossing it several times. The next part of the hike was below stone cliffs and a rock overhang. At this point we took our first break. How was everybody doing? Was the pace OK? No problem everybody was doing great. We were excited-the scenery was so beautiful!

The next 2 mile took a steep climb out of the hollow and on to the ridge top. Next we followed an old gravel service road. Following the power line corridor we passed a pond and re-entered the woods. Crossing a gravel parking lot we entered the Back Country Area. At this point we hiked back to the top of Gorley Ridge then dropped back into the ravine and crossed Honey Creek several times and into a pine plantation.

Now we were ready to scout out our campsite. The area we picked was next to the creek. It was a site that had a fire rim, but was not overused. We set up on both side of the creek. We all sat to relax or in my case take a short nap before dinner (for which I was razzed).

That evening we cooked dinner as a group. Later we enjoyed no bake cookies and popcorn over the campfire. After a restful nights sleep the group cooked hash browns, pancakes and homemade syrup (that was a hit). We backed up for our hike out.

Hiking up Shipman's Ridge was gorgeous but challenging. The woods were on both sides of Orcutt service road that led us back into the forest. We passed the 0.5 mile trail to Draper Cabin. This primitive log cabin was over 100 years old. It can be rented for day use or overnight between April and Thanksgiving. The last .05 miles of Low Gap Trail was surrounded by pines and covered with ferns.

We did it! What a team! The weather was perfect, high in the 60's and low in the 40's, no humidity or rain. Everybody made the trip without any incidences. Although there were a few spots that some of us needed to rest and catch our breath, the complexity of this trail was somewhat rugged but not difficult. We were all delighted with our first intermediate backpacking adventure. The friends I have met in this class are fantastic. We have great group dynamics and hope to plan and lead several trips in the future.

Photo: Autumn view towards Mount Cammerer from just above Low Gap