Mapping the Sheltowee

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

I'm planning to hike through Big South Fork from Pickett heading North. I've tried contacting Bandy Creek Visitor Center several times and no one seems to know anything about the burns or they transfer my call to a phone that is never answered. Does anyone know if the ST will be closed at all between the 18th and 23rd?

Traildust · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:58 am Post subject:

We have received no notice of prescribed burns on or near the Sheltowee in the Big South Fork. Weather conditions dictate burns - not to dry not to wet etc..... You can check our Facebook page, here, or our webpage to see if we have received notice before you go. Enjoy. Big South Fork is a hidden backpacking location.

Here is a link to the Trace in the Big South Fork
http://discoverscott.com/news/2013/sheltowee-trace-comes-to-oneida

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

Because of time constraints, I'll be starting at the old terminus in Pickett. I have the manual and map of the southern half of the trace. I should have plenty of daylight when I start. Will I have any problems and is the trail blazed well? Never been in BSF and a little nervous about it.

Ewker · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject:

For your safety: Prescribed burns planned in BSF

Thursday, March 14, 2013
ONEIDA, Tenn. — National Park Service fire crews will be conducting a series of prescribed fires within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area over the next few days, the park announced this morning.

The prescribed fires, as defined in the BSF's Fire Management Plan, will occur at locations in both Kentucky and Tennessee, all within the boundaries of the park.

The Mitchell Fields project is located on Duncan Hollow Road behind the Bandy Creek Campground in Tennessee, while the Monroe Fields and Newtie King projects are located near the Bear Creek Horse Camp in Kentucky.... http://discoverscott.com/news/2013/prescribed-burns-bsf

Captain Blue · cub Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Posts: 19 Location: Dayton, Ohio

For the most part the ST is well signed and blazed in Big South Fork. I did not have any problems when I hiked thru last May. The best advice I can give you is to follow along in TABA's guide closely. Use it and trust it.

10-k · on trail Joined: 25 Jan 2013 Posts: 23

I hiked to the new terminus but the trail was well blazed all the way from Hwy 27 at Whitley City through Big South Fork.

If you're going north and have the guide you shouldn't have any trouble at all.

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

Thanks for all the info. I'm feeling better about my chances. Any issues with high water when fording Rock Creek anywhere? Not sure what to expect.

Traildust · Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject:

When leaving from Pickett there are several water crossing of Rock Creek. Depends on the amount of rain in the area in the five days before you hike. Pickett Sheltowee spur is blazed. Need to be careful in first two to three miles to follow the manual and blazes.

Traildust · Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject:

These prescribed burn areas are not near the Trace if you are leaving from Pickett. If you were to leave and go through Bandy Creek you might see smoke but the turn off on Duncan Hollow road is well before the fire area.

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

Yes, from all the info everyone has given me here, I see the burns will not be an issue. I was able to find several pictures online of folks fording Rock Creek at various places. I've decided to detour around the ford near Yamacraw bridge after reading that 10-K had water up to his belt.

10-k · on trail Joined: 25 Jan 2013 Posts: 23

When I forded Rock Creek down from Yamacraw Bridge it had rained a lot and even though it hadn't rained in 2 days water was still running high. From the looks of it if you had a period of 4-5 days without rain it wouldn't be much over knee deep.

To be exact, it is a wide crossing and at its deepest it was probably 3-4 inches below my belt but over my crotch for several feet.

The bottom is solid and the water seems to run clear so even though it was fairly deep as far as fords go I never felt like I was taking an unnecessary risk.

I thought the little boulder dance at Bark Camp Creek was more challenging.

Traildust · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:33 am Post subject:

10-k you are the adventurous one. No need folks for a "bolder dance" at Bark Camp. go up on the flat area where the water pools and walk that way across. The strength of the water coming over the lip there into the pool is dimished because of the width of the pool. Most times it is less than 6 inches deep with the deepest small stretch of less than 5 feet on the south side as you come out and there are plenty of rocks to get footing.

We are hoping to finally have the high water route done this spring. The bridge is in place and all we need now is some dry weather for the Forest Service to get in and get the approach ramps to the bridge built. Then when the water is up at the downstream crossing, you can choose the upstream alternate route across the bridge. The bridge is about 15 minutes up stream from the current crossing.

If in doubt please turn around and take the short cut out of Bark Camp to the road and walk around that way to Dog Slaughter. You do not want to get sweep away down stream into boulders.

There are photos on our Facebook pages of folks on the 2012 Hiker Challenge crossing at Bark Camp Creek. Will get some posted here in the next day or so.

Ewker · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:03 am Post subject:

Traildust · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:41 am Post subject:

About 55 miles.

Ewker · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:04 pm Post subject: