kentucky hiking

“going to SE Kentucky,looking for hiking trails in that area(Buck horn)or a couple of hours drive....”

“Sounds interesting..keep us all posted on what you find.
I'm looking at slowly spreading out my reach of where i hike..i've finally made it into TN and GA...Arkansas should be next”

“You could be 1 of the first TT'ers to report on that Pineville trail. Search for the 'save the trail' thread. You might find some info there.”

“There's a big wilderness area with a lot of trails next to Mammoth Cave. I was looking at hiking it a couple of years ago, but never got a chance. Has anyone ever been there?”

“There is the Sheltowee Trace Trail. It starts at Pickett State Park in Tn and is 269 miles long.
Sheltowee Trace Trail”

“Southeast corner of KY...Ridge trail at Cumberland Gap. Great trail. Mammoth Cave, cool trails, the cave is wonderful. Summer brings LOTS of snakes and horse riding, beer totin' back country friends.”

“I just got off the phone. I have just got a job teaching backpacking and camping skills to teenage kids in Buckhorn Kentucky...Gonna get paid for being outdoors..............What a job.....”

“Congrats. It sounds right up your alley.”

“do y'all think that an ECT for Mammoth Cave Wilderness Area might be a good idea?”

“Im game once i get there and see what work schedule is like and scout out the area....”

“KY is a great state, the big south fork nat'l scenic river and recreation area is awesome, sheltowee trace trail is great, also check out the pine mountain trail, and the ridge trail from cumberland gap nat'l historic park. some of my favorite KY places are yahoo falls, blue heron loop, and van hook falls, so awesome!!”

“I'm game. When's a good time?”

“Daniel Boon Nat Forrest is or at least was a nice place when I was there 20 years ago.”

“I'll second that on the Ridge Trail! Cumberland Gap is fun. The Cumberland Trail will begin there too when complete and go south to Chattanooga.

I think Katibug has hiked some at Mammoth Cave NP. She's even got a hike planned there soon.”

“May 18-19 Sat-Sun
Hike to Sal Hollow campsite via Sal Hollow trail and hike out on the Buffalo trail. It is approx. a 14 mile trip.

Adelicia1@aol.com”

“Well I must put my vote for the Ridge Trail in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park...afterall that is where I live.... if anyone needs a shuttle just let us know. Happy hiking
Barbara Smith”

“Pretty country y'all live in.”

“CGHiker
Have you hiked on the Cumberland Trail yet since it starts up in your neck of the woods?”

“Thanks for the offer on a shuttle for the Ridge trail. I may take you up on that in the fall.
Ya know, that would make a great ETC trip!”

“The Ridge Tr. in CUGA does look interesting - they do seem a bit restrictive on the camping however but that is not much different from MACA.”

“Dude, CGHiker OWNS the trail LOL. She knows every inch of that place, only lives 20 minutes from the overlook. We did a group hike there this spring, 14 women, had a great time!! It lends itself well to a group.”

“Yes shuttle can do. And everyone can come to the store and check it out! We also sell Enertia Trail Food #1 in backpacker this month..they finally made it....
Their food is GREAT!!!!!
Hey I am up for any trip here and show everyone everything...just like Joyce said I know every inch of the trail and do own it....LOL
Barbara”

“I've only done the whole Ridge Trail once but I loved it. It is a fun one.
I hear yall got black bears in the area now. Seen any yet?”

“i'd do an ECT trip on the ridge trail.”

“Yes we do have bears now and elk.
I have only encountered the elk.
Sounds like a trip in the making.
Ya'll come!
Barbara
PS by the fall you could start the hike in Cumberland Gap, TN and go up to the Pinnacle or start in Ewing, VA and end in Cumberland Gap, TN”

“Do they have any decent maps of the area there yet? All I had was the little Pamphlet the CGNP hands out?
The last time I was there the tunnel wasn't built yet.”

“Gee we still have a map but we do have alot of new trails. I really want to do the Ridge Trail again this fall. You can start right at the door of my store and walk up to the Wilderness Road to the Old Harlan Road then Fort McCook onto the Ridge Trail. This would be a great hike.
The Chadwell Gap Trail was closed this year that puts alot of people out of goin to Hensley Settlement with a short route.
I do know they are working on a map or at least they have used the gps all over the place. Many things are happening in this park. Worth another look or a first look.
Barbara”

“let me guess - the private landowner who allowed the Chadwell Gap trailhead parking got pissed off at the trash being left at the trailhead and so the Chadwell Gap Tr. was closed?”

“I still have not been to the Hensley Settlement yet. I gotta see it sometime.”

“No I don't know about the private land owner but that trail did need to be closed it was overused.
People taking horses up it. Much to steep for a horse.
I call the trail from h***. Killer on the knees.
Hopefully they are working on another trail.
Someone gave the park a large piece of land in that same area and they may put a trail there.
The two best trails for beauty I think are The Gibson Gap Trail and Surgar Run.
Hensley Settlement is a great place to go.
Barbara”

“I'll second that Sugar Run recommendation!”

“Yeah, Sugar Run is good. I've done Skylight Cave Trail. That was nice too.
Haven't done Gibson Gap Trail. How is that one?”

“Gibson Gap is about 5 miles. The first 3 are nice rolling hills with great woods to look at then you go up for 2 miles. If you time it right in the late spring in May I would think, the first up then you come down when you start down it looks as if you are walking into a cloud of white...all the Mountain Laurel in bloom... very pretty. Then up again on a very steep up there ya have it. This is the campsite I have encountered elk on more than trip. They use the trail for water areas.
Barbara”

“Has anyone been on the trails at Carter Caves. I'm only about 1 hour away and thinkin on goin there. They mailed me a trail map that shows about 30 miles of trails that connect with each other. One campground for backpackin that says the water needs purified. I've been there but its been a long time ago. Was'nt hikin at the time. Nice place from what I can remember.”

“Sorry I didn't check this thread earlier, I hiked Mamoth caves a few times:

Pros: Easy trails, nothing too steep. Secluded camp sites - you have to reserve them befor you go there. Cool camp sites - most are in pretty sites with good water. It's all free including the ferry ride. Good place to take showers after the trail at the main park.

Cons: All trails are horse trails too which means poop and lots of mud when it rains. You must reserve your camp sites so you end up locked into a scheduel. I also found it sometimes annyoung to have a plan then needing to change it when I got to the Ranger Station and finding the site I wanted to hit was already reserved.”

“I have to agree with Barb and Bpbaby...the trip we women did there last Spring was most memorable. That trip up the side of the mountain (mucho grande switchbacks) was a real butt-kicker. I think it was worse than a spinning class at the YMCA from an elevated heart rate perspective!

Barb- you know if you do an ECT trip there a trip to YOUR AWESOME store is a MUST!!

And, my attendance and participation in such a trip would be a must too!!

Just lemme know and I'll be there! Enjoy your trip to AZ with Mary and the gang!

Sure do feel left out!

TexWW”

“HOLLY SH.IT.......long time no see-um”