Bowling Green Hiking Club

Let's hope for some early fall color and spend the weekend in western Kentucky and southern Illinois. We'll meet Friday morning at the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve and hike the 2.75 mile loop where we'll see Mantle Rock which is 30' tall and spans approximately 190'. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is also part of the preserve.
After the hike we'll drive to the ferry and cross the Ohio River into Illinois at Cave-In-Rock where we can visit the cave that pirates once operated out of and episodes of the tv show Davy Crockett starring Fess Parker were filmed.

Saturday morning we'll meet/carpool at 9:00am CST at Rim Rock National Trail trailhead in Shawnee National Forest and hike appropriately 3.5 miles doing both the upper and lower trails. Next we'll drive a few miles to High Knob Trailhead and hike appropriately 3.5 miles along the River to River Trail to Garden of the Gods. When we arrive at Garden of the Gods we'll finish with the 1/4 mile observation trail which is what 99.9999999% of the people who visit come to see.

You're more than welcome to join me camping at Tower Rock Campground in Shawnee National Forest which sits along the Ohio River. It is a primitive campground with only four sites and a pit toilet. There is plenty of room for tents and perfect spacing for hammocks. I'll be there Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The other nearby National Forest campgrounds DON'T have bathouses and are on a first come basis. I'm not sure about the campground at Cave-In-Rock State Park.

Post comments or questions or message me and I'll answer any questions.

Sorry but no pets.

By committing to this event, you acknowledge you have read the following Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.

Saturday, November 22, 2025, 8:30 a.m. central (9:30 a.m. eastern).

Approximately 6 miles, moderately strenuous. One ladder and two steep stairways.

Let's saunter along Pogue Creek Canyon - a 3,000-acre state natural area located on the northern Cumberland Plateau in Fentress County, Tennessee. The area has abundant, immense, sheer bluffs and cliffs that provide wondrous displays of exposed, reddish-orange and yellow layers of sandstone. There are multiple rockhouses and sandstone formations, including KillDeer Arch, along the trail. https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-east-region/east-region-/na-na-pogue-creek-canyon.html
You may want to print or download this map to your phone: https://tnstateparks.com/assets/pdf/additional-content/Pogue_Creek_Canyon_Trail_Map_2017.pdf

Hiking to the Pogue Creek Canyon Overlook, Upper Canyon, and Mesa Top Trails will require a shuttle. We will take 1-2 vehicles over to the end of the trail on Black Mountain Road so we can shuttle back. Parking at trail's end is on private property and very limited.

There is one ladder on the trail and a couple of steep wooden staircases that there are not walk-arounds for. There are a couple of creek crossings that you can usually "rock hop" across. Make sure to carry the 10-essentials with you. https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/?fbclid=IwAR3165LGf84Z5Oohyyt0bHBj59g8LRR9nMMLGRglT45sqOGCibuvqYwI5dc

Bring water, lunch, and snacks for the hike.

Trail dogs are allowed on leash; however, PETS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED due to vertical ladders and steep drop-offs.

By committing to this event, you acknowledge you have read the following Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.