Dates: April 24-26, 2009. This is a three day, two night, 14.4 mile backpacking trip on the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Kentucky from Cumberland Falls to Laurel River Lake.

The Sheltowee Trace Trail is a National Recreation Trail named in honor of Daniel Boone. It runs the length of Kentucky from Tennessee to Ohio. It is roughly 260 miles long.

Our hike will begin at Cumberland Falls State Park. Cumberland Falls is 68 feet high and is nicknamed the "Niagara of the South”. It is an impressive waterfall. We will hike along the Cumberland River. The Cumberland River is a designated Kentucky Wild River. It is very scenic. Along our route we will see Eagle Creek Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls, Star Creek Falls, creeks and sandstone rock shelters. We will end our hike at Laurel River Lake.

This hike is for people with backpacking experience. There are a few moderate ups and downs along the way. The footpath could be rocky, muddy or slick in places. We’ll need to depart Cincinnati by mid-afternoon (or earlier) on Friday and should be home on Sunday before 6pm.

Friday, Day 1 – Hike 2.9 miles from Cumberland Falls out of state park property and into Daniel Boone National Forest property. Camp near Dog Slaughter Falls along the Cumberland River.

Saturday, Day 2 – Hike 8.9 miles. Visit Dog Slaughter Falls, Star Creek Falls, hike along the Cumberland River and camp on top of the Cumberland Plateau above Laurel River Lake.

Saturday, Day 3 – Hike 2.6 miles. Finish the hike at Laurel River Lake.

On Sunday, time permitting, on the drive back home we will stop and tour Great Saltpetre Cave near Mount Vernon, Kentucky. Great Saltpetre Cave is located on a private preserve and not open to the public. Touring the cave will take about one hour. No special equipment is needed as the cave is a former commercial cave with flat floors and electric lights (in most places).

Event Rules: No dogs. Leave Fido at home. Leave No Trace. Pack It In. Pack It Out. This means pack out your trash. Don’t burn it. If you smoke do it away from others. Organizer reserves the right to limit participation. RSVP yes only if you actually plan to attend this hike. This hike is not for you if you cancel because you don’t like the weekend weather forecast.

To see photos of the sights along the trail and to read the 14.4 mile hike description from a trail guide visit:

http://www.niekamp.or...

Links:

http://parks.ky.gov/f...

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

Any questions? Need help preparing for the hike? Contact the Trip Organizer – Andy N.

Live To Hike … Hike To Live

Does the person create the journey or does the Journey create the person?