Mapping the Sheltowee

Blk3fan · cub Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Richmond, KY

I have next week off work and was considering hiking from exit 49 on I75 up to Mckee. I've never seen Horse Lick Creek and the rain and high water lately has me concerned. What is it like fording or do I even need to ford? Is there an alternate route during high water?

Traildust · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:29 pm Post subject:

Let me respond in case you have not done this section. This section starts with a road walk over to Wildcat. You then go from Wildcat on a nice trail tread over to Hazel Patch then Winding Blade before you go back into the woods. From the woods you pop out on Rt 490 and hike down to the Rockcastle River and then turn onto Rt 89 for a road walk over to White Oak Branch at Jackson County line (a one lane wooden bridge).

Horse Lick Creek as of this time is almost at normal flow. Last week it would have been a 3 ft deep crossing. It is now back to 18 inches or less.

The trail comes out on a gravel road then up to S-Tree area then back in woods down to Rt 421. You road walk toward McKee.

If you still need advise or help please let me know. thanks for your interest in the Trace.

Blk3fan · cub Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Richmond, KY

Thanks for the info. I did not get to hike that section yet due to the weather and family medical issues. My thoughts were to cross the bridge into Jackson Co and stay on 89, possibly taking Robinson Creek over to S-tree. Right now, it looks like I'll be on the trail at the end of May and won't have to bypass any areas of the trace. Thanks again!

Blk3fan · cub Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Richmond, KY

I was able to complete this section last week. I found no problems along the way other than the usual ATV mud holes. Horse Lick was maybe 10" deep at the most since we hadn't had much rain.