Mogan Ridge East Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Cell service may be spotty. There are no restrooms or facilities along this trail, and only one significant stream crossing. Water may be hard to find in dry weather.

From the Talley Cemetery parking area at the end of "Ultimate Road" near Derby, IN, the trail runs straight up the hill. The trail is wide, but rutted and after about 0.4 miles meets a gravel road. Turning right/east begins the Mogan Trail East loop, marked in white diamond blazes. When done clockwise, the trail is really a gravel service road for about the next mile and a half. Once the trail turns more southward, it narrows into a natural path wide enough for a 4-wheeler.

This section may be more overgrown during warmer months and is not as well maintained. At about 2.5 miles, there appears to be an offshoot to the east, but the trail continues in a more south-southeasterly direction. After crossing a stream at the bottom of the valley, the trail climbs up a long, challenging hill to the next ridge-top. Along this hill climb is the split to another parking area on the east side of the trail. From the ridge top, you can catch occasional glimpses of the Ohio River, and man other far-off hills in both directions.

As you reach the top of the hill the trail widens into a forest service lane, but has a natural surface. At one point, the trail cuts across the top of a very narrow ridge with rock outcroppings on both sides of the trail. Near the completion of the loop, where the trail rejoins itself, are the remnants of an old homestead. Daffodils in the spring easily reveal the location. Once you you merge back onto the trail, it's mostly downhill back to the parking area.

A slightly shorter loop can be made by taking the connector trail marked with orange diamond blazes. It cuts off approximately 0.5 mile.

Hardwood forests: sycamore, oak, hickory, poplar, and beech trees; along with stands of tall pines, and a few open grassy meadows.