East

Markle Barn at the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is named after Millard Markle, a professor of biology at earlham college.

The quantity of hikes east of Indianapolis is low. But the quality is high. From the subtle beauty of the rolling prairie at Summit Lake State Park to the cathedrallike black walnut stands at Shrader–Weaver Woods, this area offers some oft-overlooked hiking treasures.

The relatively flat Central Till Plain to the north and the more rugged Bluegrass Natural Region to the south, where you will find Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, constitute this four-hike section. The Bluegrass Natural Region includes most of southeastern Indiana and is drained by the Whitewater River. Unlike the Central Till Plain, which experienced the effects of two glaciers, the Bluegrass Natural Region was only glaciated once, during the Illinoian period. The flora in this region is similar to what you would find in the mixed forests of Appalachia.