April 29
Northern Terminus Hike
TOTAL LENGTH: 9 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 4-5 hours

Hike the first section of the Sheltowee Trace, ending at the Northern Terminus, led by Elizabeth Matera. Lovely ridge top forest, ending in a ravine that usually boasts plentiful spring wildflowers.

This hike will be on April 29, from Dry Branch Rd to the Northern Terminus. Let Elizabeth Matera at crlc@sheltoweetrace.org know if you are interested, and she will provide further details and directions. You'll have a chance the week before to confirm whether you want to come.

(Those who have already expressed interest will be getting more info shortly.)

White Sulphur Loop

We will start in the bottom land near the White Sulphur Horse Camp, travel across the beautiful hillside trail to the top of the ridge, and glimpse a few vistas through the bare trees, including a nice view of the lake. The hike covers three miles of the Sheltowee, with Cave Run Trail 115 completing the rest of the 6-mile loop.

TOTAL LENGTH: 6 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 3-4 hours, with a snack break halfway

If you are interested in this hike, write Elizabeth at crlc@sheltoweetrace.org with your name, phone, and which hike you’re interested in joining. She will send you the final details and check back the week beforehand to confirm your participation.

Amburgey Rock to Cave Run Lake

This moderate hike features views of Morehead from atop Amburgey Rock and great vistas of Cave Run Lake toward the end of the hike.

LENGTH: 7 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 3-4 hours

If you are interested in this hike, write Elizabeth at crlc@sheltoweetrace.org with your name, phone, and which hike you’re interested in joining. She will send you the final details and check back the week beforehand to confirm your participation.

Rodburn Park to Eagle Lake

Join us for a moderate 6-mile hike starting at beautiful Rodburn Park, climbing the ridge to the Trace, and following it around to Eagle Lake. There are several steep ridgetop hills rewarded with a few vistas and a really pretty, open forest.

TOTAL LENGTH: 6 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 3-4 hours

If you are interested in this hike, write Elizabeth at crlc@sheltoweetrace.org with your name, phone, and which hike you’re interested in joining. She will send you the final details and check back the week beforehand to confirm your participation.

Of note, if you have the whole day or weekend to spend in this area, the Cave Run Storytelling Festival is also held this same weekend. See their website for more information.

Photo by Lisa Vagts

We'll hike the Honey Creek Loop Trail in the Big South Fork National Recreational Area (BSF) in Tennessee. The National Park Service describes this trail as "the most challenging trail in Big South Fork. Along with the challenge come rewards for the hiker with the time and stamina to undertake the trip. The trail is 5.5 miles in length but requires extra time. Even experienced hikers should allow a minimum of 5 hours to complete this strenuous hike. Hazards include steep narrow trail sections, numerous creek crossings, slick boulders and confusing trail junctions. This hike is not recommended immediately following heavy rainfall..."

At one point the trail follows the creek by climbing through a small waterfall (depending on water levels). Wear hiking shoes and bring water shoes for creek crossings, a towel, and extra socks. It's a smart idea to have dry clothes in your vehicle that you can change into after the hike.

Distance: 5.5 challenging miles.

Where: We will meet at 9:00 a.m. eastern time at the Honey Creek Trailhead. View on Google Maps

What to bring: Water, Lunch, and Snacks.

Join us for a 6-7-mile hike featuring the beautiful “Furnace” Arch and other spectacular bluff views.

Participants will park at Clear Creek Picnic Area and be shuttled to a point further south in Menifee County.

Reply to the email below if you are interested in coming. See the below document for more information.

crlc@sheltoweetrace.org

Start the New Year off with a hike? Yes, absolutely. Join our STA experienced guides Sally Watson and Jennifer Norton on a hike to Princess and Lick Creek Falls. This 3 mile hike out to the falls is open to everyone and is consider a moderately difficult hike. Many hike on past this turn off and never experience the amazing beauty of these two falls that are near each other. Dress for the weather, bring water, snacks. Plan on 3.5 to 4 hours. Text your name and the number in your group to 606-308-0625 and add the words "Princess Falls" so we know which hike your on. Meet up is at 10:00 Eastern time at the Yamacraw trail head just off Highway 92.

FURNACE ARCH HIKE - A December tradition, back after three years!

Join us for a 6-7-mile hike featuring the beautiful “Furnace” Arch and other spectacular bluff views, which should be especially outstanding in December.

Participants will park at Clear Creek Picnic Area and be shuttled to a point further south in Menifee County.

Reply to crlc@sheltoweetrace.org if you are interested in coming. See attached document for more information.

DATE: Saturday, December 11
ARRIVAL TIME: 8:45 am
SHUTTLE DEPARTURE TIME: 9 am
PARKING AND SHUTTLE DEPARTURE POINT: Clear Creek Picnic Area
LENGTH OF HIKE: 6-7 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 3 - 4 hours, including rest breaks and lunch

Hope to see you on the trail!

WHITE SULPHUR LOOP

Our next hike will be the White Sulphur Loop Hike. We will start in the bottom land near the White Sulphur Horse Camp, travel across a beautiful hillside trail to the top of the ridge, and glimpse a few vistas through the trees, including a nice view of the lake. The hike covers three miles of the Sheltowee, with Cave Run Trail 115 completing the rest of the 6-mile loop.

DATE: Saturday, October 9

TIME: 9 am

HIKE START: White Sulphur Horse Camp

TOTAL LENGTH: 6 miles

ESTIMATED TIME: 3-4 hours, with a snack break halfway

To RSVP, send a message to Elizabeth at crlc@sheltoweetrace.org.

Join us in the Gorge on the Menifee County Line at the suspension bridge over the Red River. We will head north from that spot with two options for the day. We will once again offer a wildflower walk to see the spectacular array that mid-April offers us each year. Again, this walk will likely be at least 2-3 miles total out and back from the suspension bridge area. For a more vigorous outing, we'll take hikers on an 8-mile out-and-back up the bluff and past several spectacular natural features.

DATE: Saturday, April 17
TIME: 10 am
HIKE START: Suspension bridge, Red River Gorge
TOTAL LENGTH: 2-3 or 8 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 2-3 or 4-5 hours

Hikers should meet up at 9:30 am at Pine Creek Church off Pine Creek Church road in the Daniel Boone. Hikers will be shuttle around to the trailheads at Big Dog Branch Road and walk the 3.5 miles back to Pine Creek Church. Participants should dress for the predicted weather, wear sturdy shoes, carry a snack and some water, and come ready to have some fun along the Sheltowee. Registration opens 14 days before the hike. Hikes are free.

Explore a bounty of early wildflowers in the woods north and south of Holly Fork Road in Rowan County. This will be a very leisurely walk with an expert with stops to admire and learn about different plants. We will somewhat play this day by ear and start off with a walk south of Holly Fork, then venture north on the trail if hikers are still interested in further exploration.

DATE: Saturday, March 27
TIME: 10 am
HIKE START: Holly Fork Road
TOTAL LENGTH: 2-4 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 2-4 hours

Start at Stoney Cove and hike the Sheltowee on the shore of Cave Run Lake. We will offer two options on this hike, a four-mile out-and-back hike or the full 8-mile loop with the "old Sheltowee."

TOTAL LENGTH: 4 miles or 8.5 miles
ESTIMATED TIME: 2-3 or 4-5 hours

Hikers should meet up at 10:00 am at the parking lot (trailhead) on Highway 192 about 14 miles west of London. The hike is hosted by STA End 2 Enders, Kelly and Jason Burton. Open to everyone upon registration, this 2-mile hike to the falls is a very special, almost mystic hike along the Sheltowee. The hike is 4 miles round trip.

Participants should dress for the predicted weather, wear sturdy shoes, carry a snack and some water, and come ready to have some fun along the Sheltowee.

More details can be found on the Laurel Lake Chapter’s Facebook Event Page.
Registration is requested and all participants must have a 2021 waiver on file.

8-mile out and back

Hike the first 4 miles of the Sheltowee in the winter, when the lack of foliage allows you to see the lay of the land surrounding the ridge as well as views of the hills for miles away.