Pine Mountain Trail in Kentucky

“I am looking at possible hikes during the next couple of months and this trail came to my attention.

Anyone have any experience on it?

http://www.trailsrus.com/wildlife/pinemountain.html”

“Looks like a good choice.”

“MileMonster spoke of it when we hiked together in the Smokies. It's been quite a few years and I don't see him around here, but I've always wanted to check it out. It's on my list of places to hike when my life is my own again.”

“when i get back, i'd like to do some of this trail”

“I think I know my way around that one, when are you planning on this”

“The Pine Mountain Trail has already become the most famous hiking trail in our region and it's not even finished yet. It is well on its way to becoming Kentucky's signature trail

i guess they havent heard of the sheltowee trace”

“kingdom come and bad branch look like they might be the best places for an overnighter”

“Hiked in 2005. E-mail me with questions”

“I've never been on it but I've heard it is not marked well. I hear the area is beautiful.

Edoc...what did you think?”

“what section did you hike, edoc?”

“If timing is right, I'd be interested in this trip.”

“I've been waiting for them to finish it for about three years or so. At that time about 35-40 miles was about completed from the Breaks Interstate Park Area going SW. From the literature I thought that Pine Mountain, at one end of the trail, was located across the gorge from Breaks Interstate Park and that the other end would be at Cumberland Gap. I guess I confused Pine Mountain with Jefferson NF. I thought the trail was going from the Breaks IP Area directly to the Cumberland Gap Area. But the cut across the mountain ridge to Pine Mountain makes the hike further to Cumberland Gap. I know that Pine Mountain has been in this, probably from the beginning. But do I smell some politics in this. It seems to me that the trail should have gone along the existing ridge top trail, where the TT cook-off was held and then have a spur trail to Pine Mountain.

Chili, I suggest trying to check out the status of the trail. Is it completed? I did a google without any luck at finding out the status of the construction. Perhaps the section descriptions at the link which you provided, will resolve my question.

State Begins Paving Pine Mountain Trail
Posted: 30-Jul-2006 11:18PM CDT Lexington Herald-Leader: State stirs anger by paving trail; Opponents had been told it wouldn't happen (June 14, 2006)

Oops, the trail is scheduled for completion by 2011.”

“Sounds like something to check out for sure.”

“Went from Pound Gap north. Bailed at the second power lines (almost northern end) on day #3. Another dad and I had our sons (age 8). Ben (AHEM......not my son!) was pooped out so we came down by the gravel quarry.

The trail has good points and bad. Someone tell me where I can post a TR or e-mail me and I'll send to those interested.

see http://www.pinemountaintrail.com/ I have the guide, picked up at the Clinch RD office in Wise.The trail mileages are not accurate”

“you can post a TR right here or start another thread”

“That 2011 completion date may be for a different trail. I can't find anymore on the Pine Mtn. Trail Completion, except for a telephone number.

My computer was blasted down by Adobe Acrobat.

I love it. A paved trail through a wilderness area. Bring your roller skates and skate boards.

Good night.”

“I am thinking about this for April. I need to check to see when Easter falls this year. I might be able to stretch out a three day weekend for this.

I would plan on 20 to 25 miles for a two and a half day hike. Maybe a little more depending on where we could start and stop.

Let's wait for edoc's TR and go from there.”

“Easter is in March this year!”

“Hey, if the trail is paved, can I drive it in a car? (Making the wilderness more accessible.)”

“The state wants to pave the Kingdom Come trail which the Pine Mountain will follow on that segment. This segment has always been a gravel road. It also has a huge population of rattlesnakes and is a black bear corridor.

For the most part the trail will follow the crest of the Pine Mountain from Elkhorn City, KY to Cumberland Gap NP and then connect to the Cumberland trail into TN. The finished segment follows a FS horse trail and the local trail riders group helped with the construction, unfortunately that was the only part they cared about.


I have done some volunteer work on this trail and feel the worst thing that happened to it is when it got a state park designation. After that happened its development slowed down to a crawl. The person with the vision of this trail is an extension agent that grew up in the area. He has not lost the dream but he has other priorities...called being the county extension agent.

Chili I suggest you email Shad Baker. He is proud of the work that has been done and will gladly share the highlights to be found on this trail, tell you where the trailheads are, and where to find water.”

“Thanks, Sticks.

" The committee, small at first and comprised mostly of people interested in hiking, quickly expanded to include other local leaders who realized that Pine Mountain, if properly promoted and protected, would be the economic shot in the arm they needed to offset dwindling coal revenues."Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Yep, I smelt this one a mile away! Money is the game.

"Today and Tomorrow
Already, four years after the first community leaders asked Baker for help in thinking through their idea, the Pine Mountain Trail is a reality, with 32 miles of trails established. The currently open stretch starts at Breaks Interstate Park in Elkhorn City and meanders along the ridge of the Virginia side of Pine Mountain and back into Kentucky at U.S. 23 above Jenkins. Another 90 miles of trail will be designated within the next decade."

I believe this article is from about 2003. Shad is included in a picture in the article. I'm looking for his e-mail address.
last edited: 1/13/08 8:41:07 AM”

“sbaker@email.uky.edu

http://pinemountaintrail.com/board.html
last edited: 1/13/08 8:45:08 AM”

“PMT Scoop with Shad Baker!!!

Shad Baker 606-633-2394”

“Thanks sticks and NS.”

“Crash, Mariposa!
I'd be interested in doing some of this instead of the Ozarks this summer just for the fact that it's closer, and still a new place. July looks good or September for me. Gimme a shout and we'll start getting something layed out.
June is WAY too full, and so is April, May and August. Lemme know.”

“I have submitted a TR to Kentucky trails on the PMT. It is a similar version to a TR I posted on county highpointers website for Dickenson Va highpoint (Birch Knob). If anybody has any specific questions e-mail me as I do not review thebackpacker.com regularly.”

“It looks like the pres. of the Pine Mountain Trail Conference is leading a 16 mile backpack next weekend. Might be a good chance to get to find out some stuff about the trail.”

““It looks like the pres. of the Pine Mountain Trail Conference is leading a 16 mile backpack next weekend. Might be a good chance to get to find out some stuff about the trail.”
ductape

I know for a fact Shad is a talker and he will show you things that you would not know about without his guidance. He is a humble civil servant and a lover of the trail.”

“My TR has been posted on trails and places under Ky section.”

“Excellent TR. Thanks!”

“Thanks Crashbang.”

“;-)”

“From:
Pine Mountain Trail Conference
http://www.pinemountaintrail.com/

"Last Updated: August 10, 2008
Current Trail Status:
The Pine Mountain Trail is open with contiguous trail from Breaks Interstate Park to US 119. It is designated in two sections. The section from Breaks to US 23 is the Birch Knob section and totals 28 miles. The US 23 - US 119 is named the Highland section and totals 16 miles for a total of 44 miles.

Trail is not yet constructed beyond US 119. However, if hikers wish to do so, they can hike on the Little Shepherd Trail (LST) for another 38 miles from US 119 to US 421. The LST is a narrow, 1 1/2 lane blacktop road that is open to vehicular traffic, albeit it is lightly traveled. There are no shelters or designated areas for camping along most of the LST. From US 119 to Kingdom Come State Park is 14 miles where primitive camping and water is available."

Pine Mountain Trail Conference February 21, 2008 Board Meeting ...
http://www.pinemountaintrail.com/documents/PMTC-MeetingMinutes_2008_0221.pdf”

“anyone have the outragegis downloadable maps for this? are they any good?”

“Think we may need to hike this in NOV.”

“

" 'Oops, the trail is scheduled for completion by 2011.'
nowslimmer
11:45:58 PM
1/12/08"

I'm waiting to backpack the trail after it is completed.”