Mapping the Sheltowee

Lee C · cub Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Lexington, Ky

I,ve read alot of post on the Sheltowee Trace and i,ve read about bikes, horses, gravel roads and pavement. I have never been outside of the gorge on the Sheltowee Trace. From where to where is the best 20 miles more or less to get away from all of this for a couple of days and nights. Thanks

jbd · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:30 am Post subject:

I think the section from the northern terminus to Morehead is a good get-a-way from the more "crowded" areas like the RRG. It can be considered strenuous as you get close to Morehead, IMO.

From the NT to KY 32 is roughly 23 miles

There is water available at Dry Branch Rd thanks to the land owner there and there is water available via filtration/purification at Holly Fork. From there it is really dry until you get to Morehead and can stop at a restaurant near I-64.

twoleftfeet · cub Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Indiana

I was wondering this same thing. I am about to take my wife on her first overnight hike, she is really looking forward to getting away from everyone else on the trail. More specifically horses and bikes. She is scared of horses for some odd reason.

Lee C · cub Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Lexington, Ky

Well there,s no horses or bikes in the gorge but there are alot of people.

jbd · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:31 pm Post subject:

Camping in this area will be "primitive" meaning no prepared campsites. There can be quite a bit of poison ivy and saw briars so I don't recommend hiking in shorts. I think some of the local folks use parts of the trail to get around via 4 wheelers but I have seen very few people on this section.

The trail here passes through some provately owned property so it is really important to follow the "Leave No Trace" philosophy.

Any idea of when you might be making the hike?

Traildust · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:41 am Post subject:

JBD makes some great suggestions. The NT to Morehead section would be one of the least used with no bikers and a 1% chance you might run into a horse. When are you going out? We are working on the Northern end of the trail this week and weekend if the rain will let up.

traildust

Lee C · cub Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Lexington, Ky

We won't be going until mid July and it will be during the week. Thanks for your help.

jbd · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject:

I'm really hoping that I can do a camping/working trip of several days before you get on the trail in July.

Lee C · cub Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Lexington, Ky

I would like to come and help you on some of the clearing or any thing else on this section. i,m off most all sundays if you think you might be on the trail then.

Tim York · cub Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Winchester

Hiking the Sheltowee Trace from Bison Way Trailhead north to Corner Ridge is a good walk of about six miles and I have found few people on this section of the ST. It seems the crowd hangs near Indian Staircase. A good loop can also be made by making a right turn onto the Osborne Bend Trail from the ST and continuing for another eight miles more or less to the Iron Bridge near Copperas Creek. If its in Clifty Wilderness, it has to be good.

jbd · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:36 am Post subject:

LeeC, I'm thinking of going this Sunday July 3rd, to cut out some small blow downs near KY 32 as the trail comes into Morehead. Plans aren't definite at this time due to it being a holiday weekend. If not Sunday I may go Monday or Tuesday.

Chilton · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject:

Corner Ridge to Whittleton Campground through the gorge is very nice but you'd see a few people, no horses or bikes though.

jbd · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject: