The House At Stone Head: Along the Trail

It is hoped that the guests of The House at Stone Head and other friends will enjoy the benefits of being near a privately owned nature preserve. The Salt Creek valley floor in which The House at Stone Head resides is in natural floodplain and has several areas of documented wetland type plant species established in wetland type soils. The purpose of the proposed project is to restore the wetland character to pasture land historically drained for agricultural purposes by subsurface drainage conduits. The intent is not to create surface water impoundments, but to restore wetland hydrology and emergent wetland habitat. The overall goal for the entire property is to eradicate plant species non-beneficial to wildlife (i.e. tall fescue), increase diversity of upland and floodplain habitats for wildlife, provide surface water quality protection, reduce stream bank erosion, and increase the aesthetic value of this historic site.

The initial phase of this project entailed the planting of approximately 1200 hardwood trees and shrubs (Spring 2004) along the Middle Fork of Salt Creek under the direction of the DNR. This was done to widen and enhance the riparian corridor while providing more favorable habitat for wildlife. Also, native cool season grasses (little bluestem, side-oats gramma) and forbs

When I was in 10th grade at Indianapolis' North Central High School, my Zoology teacher, Charles E. Russell, revealed a personal interest in birds and shared his enthusiasm with his students. In the spring he would take several busloads of students on bird identification field trips to various sites for extra credit points. For me, and I imagine others, a lifelong interest in birds followed. Later, while still in school, I remember waking at 4:30 AM to drive out to Geist Reservoir when the only thing nearby was Tommy’s Bait Shop. With binoculars in hand I would try to see bird species I read about in the field guides. If a fisherman or hiker came along the trail I would quickly hide my binoculars so as not to convey the

Lord of the Rings

Hiking, Photography, Mushroom hunting...

Availability&Rates Contact Information Directions


Accommodations Activities Amenities Gardens Along the Trail History Friends of Stone Head Leo McCaffrey

perceived “Wally Peepers” image stereotypical of birdwatchers in the late 1960’s. I remember thinking to myself how nice it would be to someday have my own woods where I didn’t have to hide my “embarrassing” habit. That someday has become today. Several miles of groomed hiking trails amongst countless trees are now mine to share. It is my wish that new discoveries in life are there for you just as they are still there for me. One only has to rekindle a child-like sense of the wonder of it all. Take a hiking stick in hand along with a keen sense of awareness and a different world is there for you.

Mike Kelley

Along the Trail at Stone Head

J.R.R. Tolkien

West of the Moon, East of the Sun."

Shall take the hidden paths that run

A day will come at last when I

And though I oft have passed them by,

A new road or a secret gate.

"Still round the corner there may wait

(various wildflowers) have been planted on the upland slope in the northeast corner of the property (Summer 2005). The future plan is to destroy existing drainage systems, create and/or expand emergent wetland areas by prolonging soil saturation, and plant additional native grasses (big bluestem, Virginia and Canadian Rye) and forbs as filter strips to the wetland areas in the open pasture. Wetland plant species currently on-site are restricted to these failing agricultural drainage systems. The wetland areas will be restored by shallow excavation to broaden the existing open ditches and drainage ways, creation of levees less than 24 inches high, or a combination of both. However, not all areas will be disturbed since natural topography will be used as available. Areas of excavation will be 6-8 inches in depth on 4:1 grades to provide gradual depth changes to benefit wildlife. Compliance with state and local erosion control regulation will be maintained throughout the construction and post-construction period.

The northern border of the floodplain, adjacent to Bellsville Pike, will have a landscaped area dedicated to a scenic overlook. Groomed pathways throughout the lowland area will further welcome your presence. This personal project is my gift to the birds, amphibians and reptiles of Brown County. It is also being done to provide visual appeal to residents and tourists frequently seen driving along the road. It is hoped that guests of The House at Stone Head and special interest groups will gain deeper appreciation from closer observation. This approximately 20 acre northern property of wetland enhanced fields is joined by 80 acres of heavily forested acreage south of Salt Creek to form what I'm calling The Stone Head Nature Preserve (dedication, Spring 2007). It's been stated that one should attempt to leave the world a better place than when it was first found. This is one man's attempt.