The trail begins just down from the visitor’s center which is a good start because it allows for one to pick up a trail map at the visitor’s center, and it also allows for you to begin and end with the Cumberland Falls.  When you come to the official trailhead one thing that you will notice is that there are several names for the same section of trail: Moonbow trail, Park Trail 1, Sheltowee Trail 100.  From here on I’ll introduce the trail with all names used then I will refer to it by the park’s numbering system.  Let’s go.For the first two miles of the trip you will be on trail 1, this trail offers good views as well as spots to walk down to the sandy beaches of the river for some great picture opportunities.  During this part of the trail you will also notice huge boulders lining the trail in areas that provide for some mild climbing if that’s what your into.  We hiked for about 30 minutes before I found a boulder on the edge of the river that needed to be climbed on, so I hopped down there and started to take a picture of the river when a huge splash came from the water directly in front of me.  I don’t know what I expected it to be but I didn’t expect to see a young whitetail frantically swimming across the river.  Apparently he had snuck down to the water’s edge to get a drink and I unknowingly trapped him in from behind.  I will post a picture of him making his big escape.

At the two mile marker you come to a split in the trail, trail 1 continues in the same direction while trail 2 (Cumberland River Trail) breaks off to the right.  Eventually we will be taking this trail on the way back after completing the one mile out and back to Dog Slaughter Falls.  The one mile to the falls seemed to fly by as we made our way beside the river and climbing over boulders along the way.  In a different season this area of the trail would be thick with vegetation but not so much now.  We made it to the falls and climbed around a bit to find better pictures and then headed back to trail 2 thinking that most of the trip was already over.  We were wrong.

Even though distance wise we had almost come to the halfway point having already completed 4 miles but the 4 miles we had finished had very little elevation gain and would be considered by most to be fairly easy.  You start trail 2 zig zagging your way up to the top of the ridge.  After climbing roughly 500 feet (that’s a guestamation based on a poor topo map of the area) in the first 3 quarters of a mile this section was already proving to be more difficult the previous 4 miles.  Before turning off of trail 2 we noticed the Pinnacle Knob fire tower above, we didn’t have time to explore around it but my map indicates that if you stay on trail 2 you would have a chance to explore around the area.

At this point you see a sign where the trail splits again saying the way back to Cumberland Falls is to take 11 to 7 to 12 to 1.  We started on 1 so we figured this would be our quickest way out since we had already completed 5 miles and after that climb could use a break.  So we take trail 11 (Anvil Branch Trail) and come to quickly realize that our climbing had just begun.  Now we didn’t gain anymore elevation from where we were but there was very little flat ground on this trail, we were constantly going down and coming back up the ridges surrounding the river which made for a tiring 2.5 miles.  Trail 8 also branches off of trail 11 and connects with Kentucky Highway 90 if someone is needed to reach the highway.

We finally make our way to Trail 7 (Rock House Trail) which is a shorter connector trail between 12 and 11.  We were only on this trail for about a quarter of a mile until we joined up with Trail 12 (Wildflower Loop Trail).  Trail 12 earned this name because during the spring and early summer this is an area that is full of some of the most beautiful wildflower scenery the state has to offer.  Again not so much in late November but it was still a nice walk that led us beside the wonderful water treatment plant in the park.  Follow Trail 12 until it runs back into trail 1 and familiar sights and then you are only about 200 yards from the great Cumberland Falls.

To the best of my guessing ability I would say this loop was about 8.5 miles long which took us about 3 hours and 45 minutes.  It has become my favorite trail in this park system because it really does seem to have everything whether you like being beside the river, rocky outcroppings,   or dense forest with moss covered everything and ferns that when seeing it makes you fully expect to see ewoks around the next turn:)  It was a great day and a great hike that I would recommend to anyone, but remember, without our state parks none of this would be possible.  So support your state parks in any way you can and as always happy hiking.

We enjoyed the company all the way to the Sheltowee portion of the blue bend which is my personal favorite for all the rocky areas and ledges to play around on.  We climbed onto a ledge about 12 feet off the ground only to realize that the dog was trying to follow us up the rocks, which eventually led to the dog being stuck about 6 feet up and us having to rescue it. 

As we began the Eagle Falls portion of the trip (us and the dog)  we began to ask if anyone has reported a lost dog since this trail is heavily traveled.  No one knows anyone missing a dog.  We hike down to the falls which was beautiful, then we hop rock to rock to get a picture of the falls from downstream.  The we have climb our way out which my dad informed me was atleast 120 steps to get back to bench which we put to good use,  after a rest we headed back to the car.

Now let me say something about the majority of people you meet while hiking, we ran into a group that informed us that dogs were dropped in that area often and that we should take the dog with us.  They were very nice and hiking with a Jack Russell.  After a rather lengthy period of going back and forth over whether or not to take the dog, dad and I decided to check with the visitor’s center to see if they knew anything about a lost dog.  They didn’t and told us to keep it before the pound got it because they say dogs were dropped out there all the time.  We decide to return to the trail and get the dog but he is nowhere to be found, we give up and head home.

We change our minds and go back to find the dog that kept us company on those trails all afternoon and after another mile of hiking find those extremely nice people with the Jack Russell I mentioned earlier, and with them was the dog.  And like any good story just when things are looking up they turn, or better yet we turned around and the dog was gone.  So here I am whistling for this dog a long with complete strangers who are trying to help me find it.  Eventually after changing their plans to help us those wonderful people find the dog.

But going back to the people you meet while hiking.  These people became a shining example of people will do for others they don’t know on the trail.  The trail is the one thing that gives us common ground and for that reason we treat other hikers with respect and kindness.  So if these people (and they know who I’m talking about) happen to read this, thank you for all of your help.

Not my typical post I know but sometimes things happen that just need to be shared with others.  So if you have any stories or pics to share post them here or email me at jsmith@hikeky.com.  And as always, happy hiking.

Blue Bend

Bruce Crawford and I started our day on the Blue Bend trail at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.  The trail begins across the river if you are at the visitor’s center, cross the bridge and there is a parking area on the right.  The trail begins just short of the parking on the left.  This is a 4.3 mile loop that should take around 3 hours depending on your level of comfort.  No dogs are allowed and maps are available at the gift shop.

The trail began with a slight climb to the top of the ridge at about half a mile from the trailhead.  The trail is well maintained with the exception of one downed sign but the direction of the trail from there was very obvious.  The trail will also be marked with blue paint and the number 10 as it is trail #10 at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

As you are heading down off the ridge the trail meets up with the Sheltowee Trace Trail and follows it all the way back to Highway 90.  This last 2 miles or so has plenty of wonderful spots for pictures and I have read that there are places for wading but the river was up a little when I was there and wading would not have been the best idea.  Small beaches were obvious and would have been nice if the water had been down.  On the opposite side of the trail there were rock ledges that followed all the way to the end of the trail which made for a god area to rest or picnic.

This trail is rated easy and was a peaceful walk in the woods that had some great views and relaxing atmosphere.  I would recommend this trail to anyone and it is accessible to anyone who wants to experience a good hike.

Eagle Falls

What can I say about Eagle Falls, some of the best waterfall views you’ll find but you will have to work for it.  This trail is not an easy one despite its distance at approximately 2 miles.  Eagle Falls trailhead is accessible from the parking lot used for Blue Bend.

This trail is all up and down with almost no level spots, you begin with a climb that eventually leads to a great spot for pictures with Cumberland Falls as your backdrop.

This trail starts as an out and back with a loop at the end, you will come to a sign that offers Eagle falls to the right and the loop to the left.  Let’s start with the loop.  Starts off great as you wind your way down to a fast flowing creek with a great waterfall that could be used as a water slide under the right circumstances.  From there the trail begins to climb and you are in for about 1.5 miles of hiking up and down the ridge.  It can be rough and I will say that it is not for everyone.

Once back to the sign you can choose to head down a steep grade with the help of rock and wooden stairs down to the metal stair casing that leads to Eagle Falls.  At the bottom of the stairs you will have to climb over logs and boulders working your way to the falls, once there you will have a perfect place for pictures and picnics.  Also if you are feeling a little adventurous climbing up behind the waterfall is possible.  Be extremely careful as the rocks were very slick.  As always hard work usually ends with a good reward and your reward in this case is feeling the mist off the waterfall as you sit on a huge rock right next to the waterfall about 35 feet above the pool of water below.

Two great trails in one day that took a total of 3 and half hours to complete.  One of the best  sights for Kentucky trails you will find.  Please post comments and pictures if you have any and as always Happy Hiking.

http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/cf