Into the Woods!
Daniel Boone National Forest
When I was in Cairo I had a strange realization that I haven’t really explored the wilderness of Kentucky. I went to some places in my brief boy scout days, but those memories have largely been repressed, and I don’t remember where I went. To correct this shortcoming, I have decided to make a list of places to visit and activities to do in Kentucky for 2010. Since I have 1.5 years left at the University of Louisville, this may be my last year living full-time in Kentucky for awhile, and I need to take advantage. Without further ado, here is the list (subject to further additions/revisions).
Mammoth Cave: Wild Cave Tour – A 5.5 mile route through Mammoth Cave. The physical challenges:
Heights that involve free-climbing cave walls; lengthy crawls through areas as tight as 9 inches high; walking in a crouched position; hand and knee crawls over jagged rocks and dirt; crawling through wet areas; twisting into and out of tight crawlway openings
The park has some backcountry camping spots available, which would be cool to stay at. I also plan on checking out the ‘Big Woods’, one of the last areas of old growth forest in Kentucky.
The Sheltowee Trace : A national recreation trail winding through the Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork and a few other parks in Kentucky and Tennessee. It is 282 miles long, but I don’t plan on doing the whole thing. I foresee two multi-day backpacking trips of around 50 miles a piece.
Red River Gorge : I’d like to spend a weekend here. Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest around the gorge area (no camping in the rockshelters though since you might damage the archaeological work), plus there’s a lot of trails in the area.
There are a lot of kayaking and canoeing opportunities in the Daniel Boone forest. I’m not sure on which section I want to do yet, but the Upper Cumberland River section looks like a good weekend trip (Class I-II). If you’re feeling especially bold, you can continue onto the Lower Cumberland, which is Class III.
That’s the list for right now. Give me your suggestions in the comments!
Picture by sisselg on flickr
Interestingly enough, Nicole and I were talking a little about this this morning. I want to go to Natural Bridge. I’ve been before, but it was a long time ago. Then, later today, I wished the weather was warmer because I just wanted to go outside and hike.
Bernheim is also a really nice place. I don’t know how much exploring there is to be done there, but it’s a really pretty place and I for one want to spend more time there when the weather gets warmer.
I might also suggest Gethsemani Abbey. I like to go there every few months.
Those two suggestions don’t include much intense exploring necessarily to the extent of Mammoth cave, but definitely worth checking out.
Annie
January 1, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Take me with you michael! Ill follow you into the wilderness anywhere especially mammoth cave, red river gorge, natural bridge, cumberland gap, or the big south fork national rec area
rwasham
February 26, 2010 at 12:18 am