Hiking Kentucky: a guide to Kentucky's greatest hiking adventures

369 Pages·2007·13.494 MB·English

by  Brown, Michael Hunt

HHiikkiinngg
KKeennttuucckkyy
A Guide to 80 of Kentucky’s Greatest
Hiking Adventures
Third Edition
Michael H. Brown
Revised by Carrie L. Stambaugh
i
An imprint of Rowman & Littlefield
Falcon and FalconGuides are registered trademarks and Make Adventure Your Story is a trademark of
Rowman & Littlefield.
Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORK
Copyright © 2002, 2007, 2016 Rowman & Littlefield
Interior photos: Carrie Stambaugh unless otherwise credited
Excerpt from Kentucky Is My Land reprinted with permission from the Jesse Stuart Foundation.
Maps: Moore Creative Designs © Rowman & Littlefield
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical
means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher,
except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Information available
The Library of Congress has cataloged a previous edition as follows:
Brown, Michael H. (Michael Hunt), 1942-
Hiking Kentucky : a guide to Kentucky’s greatest hiking adventures / Michael W. Brown. — 2nd ed.
p. cm.—(A Falcon guide)
Summary: “From old country roads to dense forest paths, Kentucky boasts more than 1,500 miles of
marked and maintained trails. Local hiker Michael Brown describes eighty of the best hikes throughout
the state from 1-mile nature hikes to multiday backpacks in this revision of the guidebook.”—Provided by
publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7627-3650-8
ISBN-10: 0-7627-3650-X
1. Hiking—Kentucky—Guidebooks. 2. Kentucky—Guidebooks. I. Title.
GV199.42.K4B76 2007
796.5109769—dc22 2006024509
ISBN 978-1-4930-1256-5 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4930-1451-4 (e-book)
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard
for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.
The authors and Rowman & Littlefield assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries
sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.
Contents
Acknowledgments .........................................................................................viii
Introduction .....................................................................................................1
Kentucky Briefly ..............................................................................................3
How to Use This Guide ..................................................................................11
Trail Safety and Ethics .....................................................................................13
Trail Finder .....................................................................................................17
Map Legend ...................................................................................................22
Northeastern Kentucky .................................................................23
1 Greenbo Lake .........................................................................................24
2 Jesse Stuart State Nature Preserve ............................................................28
3 Lick Falls ................................................................................................32
4 Grayson Lake Wildlife Management Area ................................................36
5 The Little Sandy .....................................................................................41
6 Carter Caves State Resort Park ...............................................................44
7 Carrington Rock Overlook ....................................................................49
8 Cave Run Lake .......................................................................................53
9 Leatherwood Creek ................................................................................57
Southeastern Kentucky .................................................................60
10 Breaks I-Park ..........................................................................................61
11 Lilley Cornett Woods ..............................................................................65
12 Bad Branch .............................................................................................68
13 Pine Mountain Trail Highland Section ....................................................72
14 Raven Rock ...........................................................................................79
15 Martins Fork Lake .................................................................................83
16 Gibson Gap ............................................................................................87
17 Hensley Settlement .................................................................................91
18 Pinnacle Overlook ..................................................................................96
19 Cumberland Gap ..................................................................................100
20 Chained Rock ......................................................................................104
Red River Gorge ........................................................................107
21 Koomer Ridge ......................................................................................109
22 Gray’s Arch ...........................................................................................113
23 Courthouse Rock and Double Arch ......................................................117
24 Tower Rock .........................................................................................121
25 Swift Camp Creek ................................................................................123
26 Rock Bridge .........................................................................................127
27 Natural Bridge and Hood Branch .........................................................130
28 Natural Bridge Park Perimeter ..............................................................135
29 Pilot Knob ............................................................................................139
iii
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0 Miles 100
NNeeww 70
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DDeeccaattuurr IInnddiiaannaappoolliiss 70 127 SSpprriinnggfifieelldd 22
TTaayylloorrvviillllee Lake Shelbyville 45 36 150 41 36 40 SShheellbbyyvviillllee 52CC4oo0nnnneerrssvviillllee27 MM35iiddSShhddiilllleeootthhoowwnnDDCCKKaaeeeeyynnttttttttooeeeennrrrriivvnniillggllee WWaass6hh2iinnggttoonn CCiirrcclleevviilllleeLLaannccaasstteerr
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36 57 40 74 FFoorreesstt PPaarrkk 68
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64 MMoouunntt VVeerrnnoonn 64 64 River VVaalllleeyy LLSSCCoottllaauuaattiirrssiikkoovvssiinnllvvlliieellllee SStt.. MMaatttthheeww4ss21 FFrraannkk5ff1oorrtt GGeeoorrggeettoowwnn68 Licking River 64 6 3–5 VHHIuuWRnnttGEiinnISggNttToonnIA
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iv Hiking Big Bend National Park
0 Kilometers 100
Overview
0 Miles 100
NNeeww 70
CCaassttllee 40 CCoolluummbbuuss
DDeeccaattuurr IInnddiiaannaappoolliiss 70 127 SSpprriinnggfifieelldd 22
TTaayylloorrvviillllee Lake Shelbyville 45 36 150 41 36 40 SShheellbbyyvviillllee 52CC4oo0nnnneerrssvviillllee27 MM35iiddSShhddiilllleeootthhoowwnnDDCCKKaaeeeeyynnttttttttooeeeennrrrriivvnniillggllee WWaass6hh2iinnggttoonn CCiirrcclleevviilllleeLLaannccaasstteerr
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36 57 40 74 FFoorreesstt PPaarrkk 68
50
BBlloooommiinnggttoonn 421 CCoolllleeggee HHiillll RReeaaddiinngg 50
EEfffifinngghhaamm W 41 231 INDIANA 31 CCiinncciinnnnaattii OHIO
ILLINOIS Riverabash SSeeyymmoouurr 50 48 FFlloorreennccee 62 23 35
BBeeddffoorrdd 50 Ohio River
57 MMaaddiissoonn PPoorrttssmmoouutthh
50 WWaasshhiinnggttoonn 25
VViinncceennnneess 49 71 27 52
50 CCeennttrraalliiaa 45 150 OhiRiover42 RKiveerntucky127 75 50 62 1 223 IIrrAAoonnsshhttoollaannnndd
64 MMoouunntt VVeerrnnoonn 64 64 River VVaalllleeyy LLSSCCoottllaauuaattiirrssiikkoovvssiinnllvvlliieellllee SStt.. MMaatttthheeww4ss21 FFrraannkk5ff1oorrtt GGeeoorrggeettoowwnn68 Licking River 64 6 3–5 VHHIuuWRnnttGEiinnISggNttToonnIA
51 57 45 EEvvaannssvviillllee 61964 231 Ohio 68 67 65 63 31E 62 NNiicc5LLhh2eeooxxlliiaannssggvvttiilloolleenn 53 WWiinn2cc9hheesstteerr 460 607–9 23 52
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51 45W 45E PPaarriiss NNaasshhvviillllee HHeennddeerrssoonnvviillllee 40 70N CCooookkeevviillllee&& BBNNRRIIAAEEGGTTCC SSIIRROOOOEENNUUAAAATTTTLLIIHHOO RR FFNNIIOOVV AARREERRRRKKEEAA MMoorrrriissttoowwnn 11E JJoohhCCnniittssyyoonn
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v
Lower Rockcastle .......................................................................142
30 Laurel River Lake .................................................................................143
31 Cane Creek ..........................................................................................146
32 Rockcastle River ..................................................................................150
33 Rockcastle Narrows and Bee Rock .......................................................154
34 Rockcastle-Cumberland Confluence ....................................................157
Cumberland Falls Area ................................................................160
35 Dog Slaughter Falls ...............................................................................161
36 Eagle Falls .............................................................................................167
37 Blue Bend.............................................................................................170
38 Natural Arch .........................................................................................173
39 Three Forks of Beaver Creek ................................................................177
40 Bowman Ridge ....................................................................................181
Big South Fork ..........................................................................184
41 Yahoo Falls ...........................................................................................186
42 Blue Heron ...........................................................................................191
43 Big Spring Falls .....................................................................................196
44 Buffalo Arch .........................................................................................200
45 Gobblers Arch .......................................................................................203
46 Lick Creek ............................................................................................207
47 Laurel Creek .........................................................................................210
Central Kentucky—North ............................................................213
48 Middle Creek: Two Loops .....................................................................214
49 General Butler State Park ......................................................................219
50 Quiet Trails State Nature Preserve .........................................................223
51 Kleber Wildlife Management Area .........................................................225
52 Clyde E. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary and Life Adventure Center ............228
53 Raven Run Nature Sanctuary ...............................................................231
54 Kentucky River Palisades ......................................................................235
55 Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area ........................................238
56 Berea Forest ..........................................................................................241
57 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill ...............................................................245
Central Kentucky—South ............................................................248
58 Green River Lake .................................................................................249
59 Lake Cumberland .................................................................................252
60 Dale Hollow Lake .................................................................................256
61 Mammoth Cave Big Hollow Loop Trails ...............................................259
62 Mammoth Cave Turnhole Bend ............................................................264
vi Contents
Louisville Area............................................................................268
63 Bernheim Forest ...................................................................................269
64 Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve ..................................................276
65 Jefferson Memorial Forest .....................................................................280
66 Fort Knox .............................................................................................284
67 Otter Creek ..........................................................................................289
68 Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area .................................................293
Western Kentucky .......................................................................297
69 John James Audubon State Park .............................................................298
70 Sloughs Wildlife Management Area .......................................................302
71 Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area ........................................306
72 Mantle Rock .......................................................................................310
73 Ballard Wildlife Management Area .........................................................314
74 Columbus-Belmont State Park ..............................................................318
75 Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................322
76 Honker Lake .........................................................................................326
77 North/South Trail .................................................................................329
78 Canal Loop ...........................................................................................337
79 Lake Barkley State Resort Park .............................................................341
80 Pennyrile Forest ....................................................................................345
Appendix A: For More Information ..............................................................350
Appendix B: Further Reading .......................................................................355
Appendix C: A Hiker’s Checklist ...................................................................356
Index ............................................................................................................358
About the Author .........................................................................................359
HELP US KEEP THIS GUIDE UP TO DATE
Every effort has been made by the authors and editors to make this guide as accurate and
useful as possible. However, many things can change after a guide is published—trails are
rerouted, regulations change, techniques evolve, facilities come under new management,
and so on.
We welcome your comments concerning your experiences with this guide and how
you feel it could be improved and kept up to date. While we may not be able to respond
to all comments and suggestions, we’ll take them to heart, and we’ll also make certain to
share them with the author. Please send your comments and suggestions to the following
address:
FalconGuides
Reader Response/Editorial Department
246 Goose Lane
Guilford, CT 06437
Or you may e-mail us at:
[email protected]
Thanks for your input, and happy trails!
Contents vii
Acknowledgments
This collection of hikes would not be possible without the incalculable amount of
help I received from the individuals who manage and protect Kentucky’s diverse
landscapes. I consulted dozens of rangers, administrators, receptionists, and informa-
tion officers along with volunteers and other hikers while writing this book, and
all were eager and excited to help. These men and women deserve not only my
heartfelt thanks, but also the gratitude of past and future generations of Kentuck-
ians and visitors. In my experience, the state boasts some of the most accessible and
well- maintained hiking areas in the country. It is because of these individuals that
Kentucky is a paradise for outdoor recreation. My continuing thanks, too, to the men
and women of Kentucky, both paid and volunteer, who work tirelessly to maintain
and build the state’s network of trails.
I also want to thank my husband, Carl Stambaugh, and my parents, Randy and
Debbie Kirschner, for being my patient, dedicated hiking partners as I put this book
together. Mom and Dad, I will always be grateful to you for instilling in me a love and
respect for the outdoors. And to Carl, my love and best friend, thank you for always
encouraging me to chase my dreams, even when they involve ticks.
—Carrie Stambaugh, 2016
viii
Introduction
Kentucky is neither southern, northern, eastern, or western,
It is the core of America.
If these United States can be called a body,
Kentucky can be called its heart.
—Jesse Stuart, Kentucky Is My Land
My predecessor in writing this book used this Kentucky-centric verse to open his
introduction, and I have kept it because it has so much truth and I’m very fond of its
author. Kentucky is a widely varied land that fits no convenient classification, whether
geographic, political, or otherwise. Stretching from the jagged Appalachians to the flat
Mississippi River valley, from industrial plants on the Ohio River to magnolia trees
in the Old Confederacy, Kentucky belongs to no one section of the country but is,
rather, an intriguing mix of northern, southern, and midwestern. It’s also a mix of
rural and urban. Of mountains and plains. It is an irony of history but an understand-
able one that Kentucky was the birthplace of both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson
Davis, the opposing leaders in the great conflict between two views of America.
Today, Kentuckians living on the state’s western edge can drive to St. Louis or
Memphis in less than half the time it takes them to visit their fellow Kentuckians in
Ashland. Southern Kentuckians who can get to Nashville in less than an hour need
more than three to get to the northern Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati. The purpose
of this book is to help hikers and would-be hikers explore this diverse collection of
mountains and hollows, ridges and bottomlands, rolling fields and thick forests known
as the Bluegrass State.
From the Big Sandy in the east to the Mississippi, from the Ohio in the north
to the Tennessee line, Kentucky encompasses 40,395 square miles of land and water.
Within these borders are:
• Two national parks, two major federal recreation areas, the Daniel Boone National
Forest stretching almost the width of the state, and more than a dozen large US
Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs with significant amounts of adjacent land;
• More than 160 state parks, forests, wildlife areas, and nature preserves;
• Scores of additional parcels owned by private groups and local governments and
open to public use.
This book is a guide to some of the most scenic of these areas and to eighty spe-
cific hikes within them. Kentucky is said to have more than 2,000 miles of maintained,
marked trails. I certainly haven’t been on all of them, but these eighty trails offer a
range of experiences and scenery from overnight backpacks in Kentucky’s remote
eastern mountains to strolls along the Mississippi River in its farthest western corner.
1