Mapping the Sheltowee

PR · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:19 am Post subject: South from Natural Bridge

Anyone know the current trail conditions going south from Natural Bridge SRP to Heidleburg? Is this section rideable on a mtb? MTB's are not allowed in the state park section of the sheltowee, and I'm thinking about picking up the trail south of the park and heading on to the river.

I.B.Me · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:24 am Post subject:

We (BSA Troop 71) biked it in the spring. other than the golf ball size hail the trip was great. There were many trees down just south of NB before you pop out on the gravel road but hopfully that (the narrows) area has been cleaned by now.

The rest is mostly road with some jeep trails. Perfect for biking.

We biked into NBSP from the gravel road. Locked our bikes to trees then hiked to NB then returned to get our bikes and rode to where the trace turns off of Todd's road south of Heidelburg.

PR · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Chuck Clark and myself spent a miserable day trying to bushwhack into the sheltowee south of the park. I think it was trail/road #350. It was nonstop manmade deadfalls. We never made it to the actual sheltowee. I won't be back there! Apparently the usfs (and the state) has had much trouble with atvs and such (think railbuggies) coming into the forest from the oilfields. I'm likely to park near the parkway, and ride south on 11 towards Beattyville, then turn out the ridge past the beerstore and pick up the sheltowee there. (Below the oilfields, know where I mean?)

I spend most of my mtb time in Jackson county, mostly turkeyfoot, and stree when it is dry enough. If I get close to Todds store (I'm hoping that's the direction Todds road leads) I'd be on familar territory after that.

I.B.Me · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

the downed trees I was refering to were from the ice in February. The USFS dug two huge trenches accross the narrows several years ago to keep out the 4X4 traffic.