Jan 7, 2005: An attempt to connect the upper and lower sections of the JMT, which are not connected between the O&W Bridge and the Honey Creek Loop. Moonman here provided a map of a connector trail above Honey Creek and the network of horse trails, but unfortunately I failed to find the footpath. Although I didn't look too long, it appears that perhaps a small creek might provide easy access to the Loop, since overland is clogged with pine beetle damage. The upper JMT is considered an extension of Sheltowee Trace.

Owner: Boyd

Nov 27-28: Right when you say, "What could go wrong now..." it hits. I was trailing down Laurel Fork on the final stretch. It was 7pm, pitch black in the valley, and Pixel was doing an excellent job keeping me on trail while we crossed Laurel Fork probably 30 times in that distance. I had a headlamp, the creek wasn't running high, and I was dry.

Enter the beaver dam. You see evidence of beavers and their dams throughout the Big South Fork. Along many creek banks large trees stand half-decapitated, while others, having been felled by this mischievous critter, lay awkwardly and unorganized. But there's a plan. Beavers dam to the sound of running water by instinct. Their dams, especially in this narrow valley, are a dangerous jungle of flooded deadfall. You can only go around and avoid plunging through its porous banks. Thankfully the park flagged a reroute, but was tricky to follow at night and I found myself bushwhacking around a boggy, mashy mess. The beaver, a keystone species almost trapped into extinction, is protected by the park, so hikers can expect more of these dams. The beaver forms the only natural ponds and wetlands in Kentucky.

Charit Creek Lodge, is a full-service, year-around backcountry lodge located where Charit and Station Camp Creeks intersect. The only way to access this former wild boar hunting camp is by foot, mountain bike, or horseback. The lodge's central structure was built in the 1810s. The name Charit is thought to honor Charity, a little girl who drowned here in the 1920s during a flood. Slave Falls is an immense rock house and waterfall that was once a hideout for runaway slaves. Itinerary: West Entrance Bandy Creek Trailhead - Laurel Fork Creek - up to Jack's Ridge - Black House Branch trail - Station Camp Crossing - Station Camp Creek - Charit Creek Overlook - Slave Falls - Needle Arch - Sawmill Trailhead - Indian Dome Rockhouse - Laurel Fork Creek - West Entrance Bandy Creek - 36 miles.

Owner: Boyd

Nov 12: The ST terminates in Pickett State Park. The John Muir Trail, JMT, intersects the ST along Rock Creek in the Big South Fork NRRA. The JMT continues up to the head of Rock Creek on Black House Mountain Road through Picket SP. The trail continues a few miles to Old Wagon Trail Road, skirting above Williams Creek through a series of mini slot canyons. A beaver dam clogged about a quarter mile of Rock Creek and created a bayou-like area. The park has placed a few dubious boardwalk bridges across the deeper sections, some of which measured 5 feet in depth. Many ATV users ride Black House Mountain Road, which leads north to views overlooking the Pottsville Escarpment.

Owner: Boyd

Bandy Creek is a popular area in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. A homestead was abandoned here in early 1800s and the name "Bandy" is thought to be an abbreviation of saying, "Up on Abandoned Creek." Two great hiking trails begin here. The Oscar Blevins Farm Loop and the John Litton-General Slaven Farm loop are roughly 4 and 6 miles respectively. As the names imply, hikers visit preserved pioneer homesteads that families have lived in for generations. Both families left in the late 1970s when the park purchased the land, and neither farm had the benefit of running water or electricity. It's exceptional, and a little jarring, to discover that the park service is preserving the cumulated effect of settlement – not restored to fit into a prescribed historic period. You'll see old hand-hewn hemlock log cabins tacked 50 or 100 years later with tar paper and faux brick siding. Inside, newspaper was plastered as wallpaper and hardwood floors still moan under foot. Split-rail fences zig-zag around crop plots and walnut and pear trees litter the ground with their fruit. The Litton farm inspires awe when you imagine a family living in such a forlorn and beautiful valley.

Owner: Boyd

1st weekend of Sept, 2005: This turned out to be an awesome weekend at the Gorge. I started with a 7 mile hike on trail 240, Osborne Bend Loop, then it was a 2 miler on Route 715 to get back to point A. I found a camping spot along Tunnel Ridge Rd. and met up with some cool students from Ohio who allowed me go climbing with them the next day. The weather was great and there were several climbers at the Military Wall on Sunday.

Owner: csargent

September 10: The Gorge offers great introductory experiences for overnight backpacking trips. With easy access to water, camping, and nearly a plethora of guides, maps, and websites, the gorge is one of the most scrubbed areas in the appalachian foothills. That said, we still saw a few parties that were utterly lost...without maps nor adequate provisions. The trails are all excellent singletrack that wind through hundreds of miles of scenic cliffline and often hang at the edge of rocky precipices. Each year the gorge claims the lives of a few inexperienced or unfortunate hikers who tarry too long at the edge. Memorials are found throughout the park. We started at Martin's Fork, then to Gray's Arch, Rush Ridge, Daniel Boone Hut and back to start: 6 miles.

Owner: Boyd

September 2-3: A solo backcountry excursion on the best foot trail in the Big South Fork and the Daniel Boone country. This 50-mile trail commemorates the life and wilderness explorations of John Muir, the father of our national park system. In September 1867, Muir walked across Kentucky as part of his first epic wilderness journey, which began in Louisville, Kentucky and ended in Cedar Keys, Florida and later became the book, A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf. The trail is symbolized with a blue silhouette of a bearded man with a hat and each one has a little different personality upon close inspection and the trail is known for its many inspiring overlooks. I encountered 4 other solo backcountry packers who all seem to marvel at their good fortune to commune with nature in such an isolated and unbroken country, even on a busy holiday weekend. The Big South Fork is Kentucky's most rugged and remote park. Saturday began at Leatherwood Ford, then onto Angel Falls Overlook, Grand Gap, Duncan Hollow, Station Camp Creek, and Laurel Fork Creek. Sunday began with coffee, then Station Camp Ford, Duncan Hollow Trail, Angel Falls Overlook, Onieda & Western Bridge, and then to the Leatherwood Loop and Overlook. Sunday found Jake mostly leashed due to abundance of copperheads. 38 miles total, with 22 unique miles of the John Muir Trail mapped.

Owner: Boyd

This album contains pictures from a hike on the Swift Camp Creek trail down to Wildcat Trail and back to 715. I parked at angel's windows and was able to complete the loop with about 3 Hrs of moderate hiking. This Swift Camp Creek trail is lined with old growth forest with several trees 2-3 ft through the middle. After the hike I drove around 715 and stopped along the way at some interesting sites. I was surprised to see the swinging bridge crossing the Red River and after investigating, found that it was the the good ole Sheltowee. Happy trails!!

Owner: csargent

Sheltowee Trace at I-75 Exit 49 to KY-80 and back. Including Croomer Ridge, Hawk Creek Suspension Bridge, Chimney Rock.

Owner: Boyd

I tagged along for the Big South Fork trip this past weekend thanks to Boyd. The trail was great and I saw more wildlife than I've seen before on a day hike. I almost got a perfect pic of a doe in the mist but had the flash on and then she raised her white flag and fled, maybe next time. The hike was long but very fast due to the well maintained trails. Happy tracks!!

Owner: csargent

August 13: The Big South Fork's Pilot Wines trail is a groomed, doubletrack horse trail that creates about a 15-mile loop with spur trails to the river. 6-mile Hurricane Creek trail is an unmarked trail that connects the river with Cub & Slavens Branch trails. Combined with the Big Island Loop, a trailer could enjoy a 30-mile figure-eight course with two fords accessing river islands. During the hottest summer days, a sparse few equestrians use these trails and today was no exception with noon temperatures hovering above 90-degrees. But as if by miracle, the sun receded behind a gray wash of clouds and a steady rain filled the forest with cold, foggy air. And to hear the pit-pat racket of rainfall descending through the woodland canopy is supremely calming, made more relaxing in the remote valleys of this park. Saw numerous turkey, deer, turtles and toads all of which gave much delight to the hounds....still waiting for the first bear....

Owner: Boyd

This Saturday me and my dog Luke hiked to Grays Arch and then took trail #221 south to the Sheltowee Trace and followed it back to Tunnel Ridge Road. The trail was in great shape and the weather cooperated.

Owner: csargent

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Owner: Boyd

While not on the Sheltowee Trace, the long-abandoned road up to Raven's Rock offers an easy side-trip to an extinct tourist attraction. When the Red River Gorge was being considered for flooding, this summit was thought to have resort appeal. Trip note: It is suggested that you park on the gravel road and ford the Red River.

Owner: Boyd

July 30: From Ledbetter Trailhead to Divide Road to John Muir Trail and back to Ledbetter TH via the Kentucky Traill in the Big South Fork. Excellent trail conditions and great work by the trail crews to make this the fastest hiking trail in the BSF. Connects with Sheltowee below Standing Rock on Divide Road.

Owner: Boyd