Mapping the Sheltowee

hiker1 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: 3 Forks of Beaver Overlook Trail

I know this trail is not part of the ST, it is on the Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area near the ST, and is one entrance to the Beaver Creek National Wilderness Area. We attempted to hike this trail yesterday evening. We have a severe wind storm hit that area around the middle of May and filled this trail full of trees and it is almost impossible to get to the overlook, infact we had around 30 people and we got within 1/4 miles of the overlook and turned back. A small group might fight their way through this.

A number of hikers uses these trails along with the ST in McCreary County.

I will be notifing the FS in the morning about this problem and will let you all know when this trail is cleared, which might be a while.

Traildust · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:

Thanks for the update.

veela-valoom · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:23 am Post subject:

This makes me sad. I really like Beaver creek. Stupid weather.

hiker1 · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

I also really like this trail, it is not demanding, kid/family friendly/a couple of great views. Now if you want demanding go over into the Wilderness Area. Those trail are slowly getting back in shape.

It is a good thing this trail is not in the wilderness area. Since it is not chainsaws, motorized vehicles, etc. can be used. The upper part of the trail is wide enough to get these out to where the blockage starts, however the lower section is not wide enough for vehicles.

I am not sure what if any damage occured to the trails down in the Wilderness section.

A work day has not been set but one is in the planning. When we get it set I will let everyone know.

jbd · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

I'm not familiar with this trail. Can you give me an idea of where it is? If you can post your plans as early as possible I'll try to join the effort. Even some tentative plans would help me, such as--" looking at September" or "we're looking at October". Much of my schedule is already being worked out for Oct, Nov & Dec.

Traildust · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

Beaver Creek is down on the Cumberland River in McCreary County. If you go upriver from the Mouth of the Laurel you run right into it. It is right on the bend of the river.

jbd · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject:

That would be very close to the area we were going to work August 8th. If I am available I would be glad to help on that project.

hiker1 · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area is in Northern McCreary and Southern Pulaski Counties, mostly McCreary. The FS owns the property and KDFW manages it. The Beaver Creek National Wilderness Area in located in the interior section, basically everything between the tops of the cliff lines. The Wilderness Area is great, just very rugged and the trails are in the process of being put back into shape. The trails within the Wilderness Area basically had not been touched in a number of years, it is now in the Stearns Ranger District. The volunteer that was working on these trails got a full time job, so progress has slowed. They now have signage up on the major roads.

Just remember that wilderness regulations for trails and use are very different than regular FS/ST trails. They can only be so wide, kept up with hand tools only (no chain saws, weed whackers, etc), certain trail makers (not regualr trail markers every 100 yards), etc.

There are very few roads on it, most of the gates stay locked, a few get opened during the draw deer hunt in November.

The District Ranger here is very supportive of these trails/hiking and getting them back into shape, however he needs money/personel/time. I think the Stearns Ranger District has new maps of this area.

jbd · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:08 am Post subject:

hiker1 · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:48 pm Post subject:

I was told tonight that the Stearns District Ranger wants to get this trail back open ASAP. I will have more news in a week of so. Once clean up plans are made I will post them here. They are considering a salvage sale, so we might have to leave some trees across, just limb them, a lot better than what it is now.

If you plan on volunteering on the Forest Service they would like for you to officially sign up, there is a short application and you must submit to a background check. You can complete the application at any Ranger District.

Boyd · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

It's a beautiful area. The trail along the creek is very scenic and hard to follow, though i did see a guy walking a cat down there.

Here's a photo in April from the main overlook:

Traildust · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

Walking a cat? You busted my gut with that one. HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!

veela-valoom · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:36 am Post subject:

The overlook is amazing for it's solitude. It's one of the places where I've really felt God in nature. On the random beautiful days we had in December me and dad went there, we were completely alone at the overlook, the sky was blue, the sun warm and the wind blowing. Places like that are so wonderful. Keep me updated on the forest services plans.