Help with Big South Fork??

[MrMiner2]

Trail Reccommendations please.

[Cookerhiker]

I've lived in KY for 3 years but haven't hiked a lot in BSF. This old thread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?12531-trails-in-Big-South-Fork-Tennessee&highlight=kentucky) will give you a few ideas. Hiking to Angel Falls overlook starting from Leatherwood is a nice hike. Have you looked at BSF's website (http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/hiking.htm)? They have some reasonably good descriptions of hikes and you can print off maps. The Park also has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BigSouthForkNRRA?ref=ts&fref=ts).

A hiking group (https://www.facebook.com/pages/McCreary-County-Hikers/165702840132263?ref=ts&fref=ts) that I'm in is hiking a 6 mile stretch of the Sheltowee Trace in BSF this Saturday, from Yamacraw Bridge to Alum Ford. It's all along the river. Anyone is welcome to join us.

[Ewker]

Trail Reccommendations please.

I sent you a lot of links a few weeks ago about trails in BSF

[MrMiner2]

Thanks to both of you?

[MrMiner2]

!!!!!! Haha didn't mean to put question mark.

[The Solemates]

sheltowee trace and get a shuttle

[Rain Man]

Depends almost totally on what you're looking for in the way of a trail and how many days you intend to be out.


.

[wornoutboots]

Are you looking to loop or EtoE? You can easily put together a 50-100 mile loop. PM me if you need suggestions, I've xplored it extensively.

[MrMiner2]

Awesome awesome! Thanks for the info.

I am wanting to do a loop.

The 50-100 sounds awesome. I would be interested for sure.

Next week we are going. Unfortunately, my friend has work during the week so can only do an overnighter. Any good overnight trips?

Then I will probably stay and do a few nights solo.

[wornoutboots]

Bandy Creek is a great base camp. From There for an overnighter head out to the Grand Gap Loop. but camel up on Fall Branch before heading out to Grand Gap. As far as loops, you can grab a topo map at Bandy & hit the trail. You can take the John Muir out past Grand Gap to Station camp all the way to Blue Heron take the Sheltowee back towards Bandy & catch the John Muir back into No Business, swing up & check out Maudes Crack then back up stream to Station camp, then take a right on Laurel Fork to Charit Creek then past Jakes Place to the Twin Arches loop (counterclockwise) then loop out at the Slave Falls trail then take the Laurel Fork trail back towards Bandy, & cross the road at the West Entrance, there used to be a store there to resupply, then take the gravel road behind the store to the Laurel Fork overlook, then drop down to North White Oak Creek, take a left & Follow that all the way to the O & W Bridge (or cut up to the Leatherwood Overlook), at the end of the bridge take a left on the John Muir to Leatherwood Ford, cross the ford, head up to Angle Falls overlook then a left back to Bandy Creek Campground. I'm not sure how many miles that is but you get the picture & NOW you why I LOVE the BSF :sun It's Truly a Great Place to get lost for a While!!

[Jelf]

To help with planning, here is an online topo map that is zoomed in on a random spot in the BSF.
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=36.560204,-84.686221&t=t4&z=15&hillshade=18

Full disclosure time: I am the developer of the Gmap4 software that is showing you the map. This project is part of my way to “pay it forward”. Translation: Gmap4 is free for non-commercial use. It is popular with people that enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

Gmap4 is a browser app, not a native app. Gmap4 runs in most browsers on most devices from smartphones to desktops. Note that the browser does have to be online. When Gmap4 is running in the browser on a smartphone it automatically uses a phone-friendly ‘scroll’ interface. (If your phone does not like the scroll menu then touch Menu ==> Button Interface.)

The button in the very upper right corner lets you change map types. In addition to topos for the USA, you can also look at vector topos for all of Canada. The Menu button gives access to various features. A rightclick will show some useful info.

You can click the map and save your work as a GPX file. Menu ==> Draw and Save.

Gmap4 can display these types of files: GPX, TPO, KML, KMZ, Google MyPlaces, and a delimited file format I designed.

I enjoy looking at topo maps and one of the main reasons I wrote Gmap4 was to make it easy for people to include map links when they post in forums like this one. Here is the recipe for making a link that will start Gmap4 and display a map:

1. Simply use zoom/pan or Menu==>Search to find the area you want to see when the map opens.
2. Click the button in the upper right corner and select “t4 Topo High” or one of the other choices. Also adjust the zoom to your liking (mouse wheel or sliding control in upper left corner).
3. Click Menu ==> "Link to this map". The link that is displayed will reproduce the same map you see on your screen.

These Gmap4 links can be used in forum posts, emails, blogs, websites, etc.

The Gmap4 homepage has a FAQ, examples, quick start info (in the Help file) and more to quickly get you up to speed.

Gmap4 default map: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php

Gmap4 homepage: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

Some forums are allowing Gmap4 to run as an embedded map. See for example:
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?62130-The-Super-Amazing-Canyoneering-Map
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8002972
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=14194&hilit=washougal

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[Cookerhiker]

FYI the Trails Illustrated map for BSF (http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_241) is being revised and (I thought) coming out this month. The revision incorporates the relocation of the Sheltowee Trace in BSF.

[illabelle]

Our favorite dayhike is the Honey Creek Loop in BSF. If you can include it in your journey, go for it! The northwestern half of the loop is more interesting than the southeastern half. We haven't backpacked the loop, but you could if you wanted. Just please be careful. There are lots of abrupt drop-offs, and you don't want to be wandering around in the dark or anything.
Also, beware of ticks. BSF is LOADED with ticks. Be prepared.

[Ewker]

FYI the Trails Illustrated map for BSF (http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_241) is being revised and (I thought) coming out this month. The revision incorporates the relocation of the Sheltowee Trace in BSF.


I looked at one today at the REI in Nashville and it is the old map.

[wornoutboots]

FYI the Trails Illustrated map for BSF (http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_241) is being revised and (I thought) coming out this month. The revision incorporates the relocation of the Sheltowee Trace in BSF.

I hope they put the mileage back on the map, taking that off was very strange?

[Dobie Swift]

Good short, easy overnight loop for an early season "break-in trip":

Park just off KY700 at the fire service road (don't block the gate) at the Negro Creek Trailhead. Hike Negro Creek Trail until it ends on the Sheltowee Trace Trail. Turn right (trail north) on the STT and follow it into Alum Ford Campground. Camp at Alum Ford (improved campsites with tent platform, picnic tables, pit toilets). Next day continue trail north on the STT. Turn right on Yahoo Arch Trail and follow it all the way until it end on KY700. (Be sure to stop and enjoy KY's tallest waterfall, Yahoo Falls) Your car will be about 30 yards to the right on KY700. I've dont this loop 6 or 8 times and never had a problem with vandalism of my vehicle. Also, if for any reason you need or want to bail out after the first day, you can walk up KY700 from Alum Ford campground to your vehicle.

Total mileage of the loop: About 13.5 miles
PDF of the loop: http://www.louisvilletroop30.org/resources/university_of_scouting/Kentucky/Sheltowee%20Trail/Stearns%20District/612ste.pdf

[Gambit]

I have between 150-200 miles experience in BSF over the span of 3 years. The area has many landscapes to offer, and all around not to rough of terrain. Your either hiking the flats of the gourges or up on the platue, the tough spots are comuting from one to the other. I would suggest for a one nighter, either twin arches and down to charit creek lodge, or angel falls-not the loop( when you reach the T in the trail after switch backs there is a camp .25 mile to your left down the trail, and overlooks equally spaced on both sides of this T. The loop is boring and 7 miles.

Twin arches are the best you will find, 1 is 110 feet high, the 2nd is 90. no camping in twin arches boundary. Charit creek lodge is a beautiful place.

May I add that yahoo falls is a fun trip as well.

[MrMiner2]

Thanks! Any others?