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Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve is a 23 acre Nature Conservancy property located in Monroe County, not far from Harrodsburg.
The preserve lies alongside the banks of Clear Creek and includes a limestone bluff (depicted at left) which rises between Clear Creek and an intermittent tributary of the creek. The preserve is an excellent area for observing spring wildflowers such as Hepatica, Celandine Poppy, and Virginia Bluebell, as well as ferns like Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake and Lipferns.
The trail begins across the road, meandering for a while before approaching Clear Creek. It then follows the creek, and the path becomes - in places, at least - a challenging scramble over rocks, roots, and flood debris.
The bluff seems to rise on your left as you near the confluence of Clear Creek and the intermittent stream that marks the southern end of the bluff. Once you reach the end of the bluff, turn left and work your way around to its other side.
The climb to the top is not the easiest conceivable challenge, but once there you'll enjoy excellent views of the surrounding countryside. True to its name, the top of the bluff contains an extensive stand of cedar trees, and paths explore both the cedars and other wooded areas along the top of the bluff.
This is a popular destination for folks from Bloomington, so expect company.
Directions:
From the traffic light at the intersection of IN 37 and old IN 37 (Walnut) on the south side of Bloomington, continue south on Old 37 for about a mile to Ketcham roundabout. Turn right, then right again onto Ketcham, and continue about 3.7 miles to a small parking pulloff on the right side of the road, under the power lines.
References:
Indiana's Dedicated Nature Preserves 2004, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Wild Indiana, page 107.
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