Mapping the Sheltowee

Elkins45 · cub Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Northern KY

I know this isn't a ST related question (or maybe it is). I'm trying to get ready for a trip to the Grand Canyon and I would like to test myself with some serious uphill/downhill hikes. What trails in KY or nearby have the most elevation change?

I was thinking maybe somewhere around Cumberland Gap, or maybe Pine Mountain?

TIA for any input

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

I would nominate access roads to Pine Mt. (trail), i.e. road walk from Whitesburg up to the trail, road walk up to Pine Mt. State Park lodge from Pineville, Bad Branch trail to Pine Mt, access road to Kingdom Come St. Park,....any access to Pine Mt. will probably get you the greatest elevation change similar in grade to GC and in an area that's kind of geared toward outdoor foot travel. There are other places in EKy. that would be fantastic but coal companies seem to be reomoving them rather quickly.

flatfeet · cub Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Lexington, KY

I would agree, the Cumberland Gap or Pine Mountain area would give you the most continuous elevation change. Another idea might be the Rough Trail in the RR Gorge. Each elevation change is only 300-400 feet, but you go from the ridge to the gorge probably 4 times in a 7 mile stretch. Hence the name Rough.

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

Right on Feet! The rough trail is about ten miles and appears to be specifically constructed to work the quads, glutes and lungs and take you through some spectaclar cove hardwood and hemlock heaven. Also, I just looked at the Cumberland Gap site and saw that there is a ridge trail, Ewing trail, 3 miles with a little over 1600 ft. elevation gain. I've never been there...can anybody give a description?

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

I'm trying to get ready for a trip to the Grand Canyon

Traildust · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:10 pm Post subject:

weeanme

Back to the Grand???? Spring I hope!

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

O.K. Mr. Dust, so you smoked me out. I hit the quote button incorrectly and wound up quoting myself asking a question of the original poster. I wanted Elkins to tell us about his GC trip. It takes no effort for me to confuse a situation quickly.

Elkins45 · cub Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Northern KY

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

Elkins,
I would say going down S. Kaibab is going to be harder on the knees than going up. Hiking pole will help so will taking your time. Good pick on the route by the way. What time of year?

Elkins45 · cub Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Northern KY

weeanme · in the stride Joined: 02 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

Excellent! You will have a great time. I hope you take the trip you will not regret it. When you leave Bright Angel early in the morning you will have all day to hike 10 miles. You will have a fine shady rest at Indian Gardens, water up, and in a couple of miles the trail starts turning into a carnival as you get closer to the rim because the lodge people are venturing down a bit from the rim. Its a fun way to come up out of the canyon, seeing all those bermuda shorts and 3lb Nikon cameras.

flatfeet · cub Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 9 Location: Lexington, KY

Weeanme,

I've done the Ewing Trail once. Its switchbacks all the way up and continuous elevation gain. A good workout for sure, but there is a nice payoff with the White Rocks lookout at the top. You can see south all the way to the Smokies and you can see a little bit to the northwest to KY.

deragoku · cub Joined: 07 May 2012 Posts: 3

I hope your trip, you will not regret it. Early in the morning, when you leave an angel of light, you will have all day long 10 miles on foot.