Mapping the Sheltowee

LoveMyCannondale · cub Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

Hello,

First off, very nicely designed site! I will be doing some camping at Koomer Ridge this weekend, and was wondering if anyone could recommend some good areas close by for mountain biking. I know that mountain biking is not allowed in the Clifty Wilderness, and Natural Bridge State Park as well, but what about Red River Gorge? I thought the Sheltowee Trace was OK for biking as long as you weren't in the actual Wilderness area/Natural Bridge section. Is this true? If not, can you recommend something close by (within 20-30 minutes) that would be a good place for biking? Old fire roads will work just as well as singletrack. Thanks in advance!

POGZ · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:31 pm Post subject:

Welcome!

No mountain biking in the RRG, Clifty, Nat Bridge, but you can in all surrounding USFS land.

I don't know if 9 is open or not yet (washed out during flooding rains), but if not, you can mountain bike up 9 (& then 9A) from KY 613 to Powder Mill trailhead and take singletrack up to Hatton Ridge. From 613 to Hatton Ridge and back is about 8 miles.

Everything south of Nat Bridge is rideable, but some of the fire roads are steep and unruly. The trade off is solid exploration. Try Big Bend Ridge north of KY-1036 or take 1036 to Greely and take the Sheltowee into Big Sinking Creek. The later was choked the last time I went.

For good singletrack this time of year drive north about an hour to Cave Run. Hit the Cave Run Bike Shop near the dam on 801 and ask John for your type of ride. He'll set you up!

LoveMyCannondale · cub Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks for the great info! Smile

I think we are going to try Trail 9 to 9A to Hatton Ridge, since it's a bit closer (I think). Anything we should look out for, i.e. trail deviations? I have a topo map of the area from www.outragegis.com so we should be good, but just wanted to doublecheck. Thanks again for all the help - it is much appreciated!!

LoveMyCannondale · cub Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

Whoops! Almost forgot to ask: Is there parking available where trail 9 meets 613? If not, where is the nearest area to park? Sorry for all the questions, but your answers have been great so far! Smile

POGZ · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:21 am Post subject:

No problem! I hope you have a great weekend camping and exploring the Gorge!

Powder Mill up to Hatton Ridge will be challenging, especially if a little rain makes the trail slick with newly fallen leaves. You will pass a few sink holes...don't try riding in those! The portion of trail beneath Hatton Ridge is braided, so just keep going in an upward fashion. There is a gravel road on top of the ridge. Going down is most fun Wink

How to get there? After 613 (which is the same as FS 23 from the iron bridge) turns from gravel to paved, you will see a few parking spaces. To the left is a jeep trail that fords the red. I think I remember a couple of pull-offs to the right before 9. It's probably an 1/4 mile from the ford to 9. BTW- 9 is a gravel road and not a trail.

First though, I would drive up to 9 and see if it is open. If it is, you can drive to 9A, take a left, and park at the trail head pull-off, about a half-mile from the 9-9A intersection. You will see a wide stream to your immediate left. Cross the stream and begin the ascent. If you don't like the trail (it might be too muddy or what not) just keep riding up 9a and see what you find.

BTW--Which map are you refering to? I've used b&w map that outrageGIS.com made for this area.

I wish you luck and post some pictures and/or tales of your trip here!

LoveMyCannondale · cub Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

Just thought I'd post back about my weekend trip. My brother and I were actually setting up the campsite for our church youth group that was coming later in the day. Once we finished this, we went to 9 to try to get to Hatton Ridge. We only had about 2 and a half hours, so we were kinda pressed for time. We found 9 easily enough, and pulled off on the side. We then biked up 9, to 9A for a while, only to come to the bridge crossing. According to the map I was using (the black and white outragegis one), we had gone too far, and missed the singletrack trail off to the left. We turned around, and found a trail leading towards the creek that looked to be a bit too far up to be the one we were looking for, but we took it anyway. Across the creek, we found a trail marker, but no trail Razz

It looked as if flooding had wiped out all traces of singletrack. To make a long sotry short, we just started following the ridge line trying to trailblaze up to Hatton Ridge. Hike-a-bike stinks! Razz

My brother became VERY upset with me at this point (he accused me of not knowing where we were going), so we ended up coming back before hitting the USFS road up to the ridge. All in all, I had a fun time! I know a little better what to expect next time, and look forward to getting back sooner or later. Thanks for all the help though, it really did help out a great deal! Smile

Boyd · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:39 am Post subject:

Hike-a-bike is a total bummer. Sorry to hear about that. You made it to the parking at the trailhead (37 52.10N 83 40.60W) and the trail is wiped out from flooding? That's good to know. The creek ripped up 9 pretty badly, and the trail crosses the creek, so maybe the trail was erased.

Powder Mill is not used much as either a hiking nor biking trail since it is short and connects two roads, so it might be suspect on any day despite the weather. I've never biked this trail but I have hiked it. I went to Hatton cemetery one late afternoon in the spring. I bike in Cave Run and for group camping, Glady is great in the fall. Your youngsters can hike up to Chesnut Cliffs, while the oldies can hit Leatherwood Loop with their hardtails for some real fun.

I am glad to hear you had a good time and don't be a stranger for your next trip.