Mapping the Sheltowee

[rootman]

Six weeks before Christmas (October 9-11) and I’m hiking in a t-shirt! We have been section-hiking the ST for the past few years and turned our focus to the north end, deciding to do day hikes to save us having to carry camping gear. We checked in at the Comfort Inn in Morehead (about $65 a night) after covering a short, 4.5 mile road walk from Corner Ridge Road to the Clifton Creek drainage near Frenchburg. (Miles 214.4 to 218.9 in Malloy’s guide) I had planned to skip this short road section but my buddy reminded me that you can’t really say you’ve “done” the ST unless you do it all. The views along this walk are pretty spectacular so I was glad we did it. I dropped Tom off at one end and drove to the other end then walked back toward him. Then he picked me up where he started. The whole deal took about 2 hours. TIP: If you buy $20 worth of gas at the station in mid-town Frenchburg you get a free small ice cream cone.

The next day Jeremy dropped us off at the northern terminus after leaving our vehicle at his house on Dry Branch Road. I'd always imagined the northern terminus to be kind of a special place, like the Arctic Circle. But it isn't. It looks like just any other trailhead but at least you know you won't be hiking any further northbound from there. We needed 5 hours for the 10 mile hike to Dry Branch, including about 20 minutes for lunch. The trail was in great shape, was well-marked and not overgrown. Springtime growth could change that picture but we had no problems at this time of year. There is no water along the trail but, as reported several times, there is a spigot at the end, close to Dry Branch Road.

On the last day we were dropped off to the south at the intersection of forest service road 977 and 977K (mile 261.2 in Malloy). Hiking north back to Dry Branch put the sun behind us. It was a little more comfortable hiking without the low-hanging autumn sun in our eyes as it was the day before. The day started with about 7 miles of gravel FS road and a little bit of asphalt to get over I-64. It was very easy walking. Then you drop into the woods from FS road 1008. This was the only heavily overgrown spot but it ended after about 50 yards and the trail is well-defined after that. The trail is also very well marked so there is no problem seeing where you need to go, despite any overgrowth. The volunteers and FS guys who maintain this section have done a terrific job. We crossed the shaky suspension bridge over Holly Fork even though the creek could have easily been forded. The top stair step on the road side is missing. Thanks to the landowner who lets the ST users tromp through his property to get to the bridge! The hike covered almost 11 miles and took us 5 hours and 20 minutes with a 20 minute lunch break. The sun sets a little after 5PM Standard Time at this time of year so we made sure we finished with time to spare.

We scouted the route around Morehead during our time off the trail. The crossing of Route 32 can be confusing so we thought we’d pass along what we found. Going northbound you’ll emerge from White House Hill Road (N38*11.6381, W083*28.9066) on the short access road to a shopping mall. You’ll see a gas station if you look toward the mall but you’ll be walking away from it. Note: this is not the Walmart mall! Get on Route 32, keep walking east on the road and go under the interstate. Keep walking until you see concrete barriers about 3 feet tall on the north side of the road. Cross to the north side, keep walking and keep checking the hill side of the barriers, not the road side. Eventually you will see a Sheltowee diamond on the barrier marking the spot where you have to scramble up the hill to reach the trail. (N 38*10.8355, W083*27.9876) (Note: in my first submission of this trail report I stated that the concrete barrier had a turtle marking on it. The marking is actually a diamond. I just finished looking at the video and saw that discrepancy.)

You will need to climb the hill (going northbound) 100 feet or so, up to a pine tree that has a trail blaze. Then turn right and proceed around the hill with Route 32 on your right. The trail is not well defined but there are markers on the trees. There will be some 4X4 landscape timbers set there for erosion control (to no effect). Eventually you will be in the woods again.

[jbd]

Thanks for a vey good trip report. The trail from the NT to Dry Branch Rd was recently cleared by Traildust and others for a mountain bike ride. Hopefully I can get out there as spring approaches and keep the spring over growth from becoming a problem. Thanks for the notice about the top step at Holly Fork, I will try to get out there in a few weeks and get that replaced.

[Chief Bob]

Rootman, thanks for the info on the NT. I'm new to KY and just joined the STA. I've been a canoe camper most of my life, but now will get into backpacking and the Sheltowee is one of my objectives. I was concerned about the condition of the trail from the NT, but it sounds like my dog and I should have no problems.

BTW, I want to participate in the March work days, but where will we meet? will we camp over night? Inquiring minds want to know!

[jbd]

Chief Bob--check your PM.