Announcing a new Meetup for Dayton Area Backpackers & Hikers!

What: Sheltowee Trace Backpacking Trip - 23 Miles

When: Saturday, February 12-14, 2010

This is a 23 mile backpacking trip on the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Kentucky from Friday, February 12, through Sunday, February 14. We will start at the dam on Laurel River Lake (Mile 77) and hike north to SR-80 (Mile 100).

This trip is for experienced backpackers as we are hiking 23 miles in 2+ days. This hike includes strenuous, moderate and easy trail sections. The overall trail rating is moderate but this hike should be considered strenuous because of the total miles and being winter. This section of the Sheltowee Trace is near Corbin and London, KY.

Here is the hike plan:

Friday (2/12) - Depart Dayton in the late afternoon. Arrive at the Laurel River Lake Dam after dark. Hike 2-3 miles.

Saturday (2/13) - Hike 10-12 miles.

Sunday (2/14) - Hike 8-11 miles. Arrive at SR-80. Go back to Laurel River Lake to get car. Drive home.



About the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail: The Sheltowee Trace is 282-mile back country trail through Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork, and Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, & Pickett State Parks in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee (meaning "Big Turtle") when he was adopted as the son of the great warrior Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee tribe. Boone made several explorations through the area that is now the Daniel Boone National Forest, in search of a route from Virginia to Kentucky. Today many of the creeks, streams and landmarks bear the names given to them by "Sheltowee."

The Cumberland Plateau, with its magnificent forests, lush cane breaks, and varied flora, was home to many important game species such as wild turkey, deer, and bear. The characteristics that made it a fertile hunting ground and home for prehistoric populations also attracted Boone and other explorers more than 200 years ago.

Portions of the Sheltowee Trace meanders along high, narrow ridges and cliffs, and into deep gorges along small, clear streams and whitewater rivers. The Trace also travels on roads or rights-of-way through private land. These diverse landforms give rise to a great variety of trees, wildflowers, birds, and animals, including threatened and endangered species such as the Virginia big-eared bat, freshwater mussels, running buffalo clover, and white-haired goldenrod.

Links:

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

http://www.sheltoweet...

Event Rules: No dogs. Leave No Trace. Pack It In - Pack It Out. This means pack out your trash. Don’t burn it. Organizer reserves the right to limit participation. RSVP yes only if you actually plan to attend this hike. This hike is not for you if you cancel because you don’t like the weekend weather forecast. The trip limit and RSVP deadline can change without notice.

Any questions? Need help preparing for the hike? Contact the Trip Organizer – Andy.

Live To Hike … Hike To Live

We don't stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking.

Learn more here:
http://www.daytonhike...