Mapping the Sheltowee

bckpck2revolution · cub Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati, OH

I will be thru hiking the trace come september and have a few questions that most likely will be answered....

first, is there somewhere i can order the maps for the entire trail, is it better just to use what's online or get them from somewhere else.

can the trail be hiked without a GPS, or is it not recommended.

which way should i hike N to S, or S to N?

and finally about how long does the trail take for an average backpacker in decent shape? 15 days 20 days??

one more thing...should i just skip the northern sections from 460 and up? is that part even worth it with the closures?

anything will help i am doing this on my own and could use advice from the people who have hit the trail.

Hiram · cub Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 7

There are two sources for STT maps. The first is of course this site, which has the most accurate and up to date info. The second is the DBNF, where you can download pdfs of all the trail segments. These maps are variable in accuracy and completeness, but will get you through if you're a good map reader. You can order more detailed maps based on the USGS quads from the DBNF

A GPS would be useful with the maps from this site. It would be useless with the basic DBNF maps.

I'd go south to north. I've done all the STT from the south end through Cane Creek (`100 miles) and found this mostly good walking.

Can't help much with your mileage estimates. The STT doesn't have the killer climbs of trails in the mountains, but the trail is intricate in sections and has more climbing than one might expect from looking at maps.

Chilton · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 10:47 am Post subject:

I've only done the northern sections and in this area is not one that you can do 20 mile days... not if you want to start well before dawn and stop well after dusk. Be prepared to spend a little more time than usual.

bckpck2revolution · cub Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati, OH

i am getting the feeling that the northern sections are a mess and arent even worth my time to hike through them...should i just go pickett state park to red river gorge? after that it seems not worth the time.

Chilton · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

Today i went to the north terminus, the dry branch crossing, and the 799 fire access road. All of these seemed fairly pointless to try and hike. They were totally unmaintained and seemed like they hadn't even been traveled in a very long time. All the guff about the ice storm fallen trees isn't really the problem it's the overgrown trails. The briers are horrible not to mention the ticks. Yesterday my dog and I did the 5 miles from the north side of the dam at cave run to US 60 and when we got home i pulled 17 ticks off him (and we use front line). That section was great except the last 1.5 miles or so which was very overgrown. Right around mile marker 31 coming south to north the trail goes onto private property and runs straight through open fields. I didn't know exactly where I was supposed to be going but following a small part in the 3 ft tall grass lead me to the right place. That area is so untraveled and under maintained that you can't enjoy the hiking. Even though the big idea is to do as much as possible I'm not sure how worth it the last 30 miles is. You have to do 8 on the back roads in Morehead just to get around the town. You could give me a call and if I'm around I would be more than happy to give you a ride or even put you up for the night. Then then you can do about 10 more north of Morehead before the final 12 is unhikable unless you're planning on going when there is no vegetation and if so I'm not so sure you can see where the path is worn between trail markers.
Oh and from stoney cove in the cave run area south, there is tons of horse traffic which has made many parts of the trails disgusting. A few places you have to bush whack to get around the gigantic mud puddles left from the horses.
I really wish there was something that could be done about the northern section. It really is a shame.

Boyd

I agree with Hiram that the best way to hike the ST is from south to north. Consider ending at Cave Run lake dam or just a few miles north on US60.

For an estimate of time and rhythm, look at Sheltowee Wanderer's trail log. He is a fit fellow and perhaps speedier than your average hiker so you might add a few days.

A GPS unit will help you navigate some of the major road crossings if you compare your track to the topo maps found here. You can also upload a GPS track into your unit thanks to Sheltowee Wanderer.

Probably the nicest stretch of trail is from Pickett SP to Laurel Lake. Cane Creek borders Laurel Lake to the north. On from Cane Creek, you'll find more gravel roads and hardtop, but the trail is maintained until..... as Chilton has experienced, the trail north of US60, and especially north of Morehead, is a mess. A shame.

Boyd