With my growing family I am continually looking for close to home quick hikes that can be completed in a couple of hours just to get that nature fix that we all need.  So while searching for nearby geocaches I found the Jim Beam Nature Preserve, having never heard of this place before I was eager to see what it had to offer.  This is a 115 acre preserve bordering Jessamine and Garrard Counties that was formed by The Nature Conservancy in 1995 along with the Jim Beam Brand celebrating it’s 200 year anniversary.  Having hiked near the Palisades before I know this area is very beautiful with moderate elevation changes that usually reward with a very good view of the Kentucky River.  There is parking available and is located towards the end of Hall Rd. just off of 27 on the Nicholasville side of the river.

The trail starts just off the parking area and is a 1.5 mile lollipop loop around the preserve.  We started on the trail just planning to find the two caches along the trail and head back to the car.  Shortly after starting you come to the fork towards the loop portion of the trail to left is probably a little easier on the climb back but we chose to go to the right having not hiked here before.  After finding the two we decided to finish the loop to see the rest of the area.  With no leaves on the trees we got a great view of the river from elevation, one that I believe come April won’t be nearly as visible.

As we continued on the trail we found several moss covered rocks and other exposed rocks that made good places to sit and take in the scenery.  I am eager to return to the trail later in Spring to see all of the plant life that will be thriving by that time.  Some of the plants that the preserve boasts are Starry Cleft Phlox ( Phlox bifida ssp. stellaria) and Mountain Lover (Pachistima canbyi).  As far as wildlife the preserve also houses two endangered bat species: Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) and Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis).  Even though squirrels were the only wildlife we saw this morning knowing that there are protected areas for endangered species offers some peace of mind.

The whole trip took a little over an hour so I definitely recommend this area for a quick hike or a hike with children.  As with most of our nature preserves they survive base on the kindness and donations of those that benefit from them so if you have enjoyed this trail or just want to contribute click Donate to The Nature Conservancy.  As always enjoy the outdoors and look after them, encourage others to get out and enjoy as well.  Happy Hiking.

The trail begins and ends on both sides of the parking lot as it is a loop.  Start on the right side of the parking lot the trail is a gentle downhill slope.  Some trail guides I have seen label this as a moderate trail and at the halfway point I was wondering why, but as they say what goes down must come up…..or something like that.  Anyway at the halfway point you come to the Knight’s Ferry Loop which will take you down beside the Kentucky River.  Normally I enjoy hiking in shorts but for this one I would recommend pants as the area down near the river was teeming with plant life and most of it rubbing against your legs as you walked.

Knight’s Ferry Loop takes you to the banks of the Kentucky River which offered some really good views of the towering ridges on the other side of the river.  A small sandy area provides the perfect place to stop and grab a snack although a trail of this length usually wouldn’t require it.  From this area we spotted a very large rock just sticking out in the water and decided to trudge over and investigate.  There was a small trail leading to the bank that would allow us to reach the rock, we followed it but as I was about 4 feet above the rock I underestimated how slick mud could be and landed right in the middle of the rock laying on my back.  Falling is not my preferred method of getting down river banks but it was definitely quick:)

Returning to the main trail we started our climb back to the top of the ridge.  Returning back to my statement of what goes down must come up….well go up we did and we did quickly.  In a few hundred yards you will climb a few hundred feet as you make your way back to the top.   Then we encountered a trail that was not on my original map, this section of the trail took us to the ridge top in about .25 miles.  This side trail is a small out and back that really doesn’t provide very much of a view but was an enjoyable stroll that saw us climbing on the way there and going downhill on the way back.

Upon returning to the parking lot you will see signs telling the history of the area and some other interesting facts about the trail as well as a register for hikers to put their name, date, and how many were with them.  Bring your own pencil if you want to sign it though as there was not one provided.  This trail was a good hike to be so close to home, I give it a 3 out of 5 and would consider it to be a trail of moderate difficulty.   So my tip for today is to not fall down river banks:).  Be safe and happy hiking.