The following is a list of the hikes to be offered at the SouthEastern Foot Trails Conference being held at the Pine Mtn. State Resort Park on May 7, 8, 9, 10. Check the website for more details on registration. http://www.southeastfoottrails.org/HIKES AT CUMBERLAND GAP NHP
White Rocks and Sand Cave (Full Day) Saturday, May 9th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 9AM
Sugar Run Loop on the Pine Mountain Trail (Half Day). Saturday, May 9th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 9 AM.
Gap Trail to Tri-State Peak on the Cumberland Trail and back (Half Day) Friday, May 8th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 1 PM.
Chadwell Gap to Hensley Settlement (Half Day) Friday, May 8th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at Noon.
Gap Cave Tours (1 - 2 hours) Saturday, May 9th. 10 AM and 2 PM. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center.
White Rocks and Sand Cave (Full Day) Saturday, May 9th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 9AM
Sugar Run Loop on the Pine Mountain Trail (Half Day). Saturday, May 9th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 9 AM.
Gap Trail to Tri-State Peak on the Cumberland Trail and back (Half Day) Friday, May 8th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at 1 PM.
Chadwell Gap to Hensley Settlement (Half Day) Friday, May 8th. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center. Leave for trailhead at Noon.
Gap Cave Tours (1 - 2 hours) Saturday, May 9th. 10 AM and 2 PM. Meet at Cumberland Gap NHP Welcome Center.
Hikes at Pine Mtn. SRP
Hemlock Garden/Honeymoon Falls Trail Mosaic – 3 hours
Length: 2.25 Miles Elevation Change: 300 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Trail Leader: Naturalist, Carey Tichenor
Description: This guided adventure descends into a wooded ravine containing old-growth hemlock trees that are 3-4 feet in diameter and over 200-300 years old; the Hemlock Garden. Many large white oak and tulip poplar trees are also found here and several large sandstone boulders form Boulder Alley, where the trail meanders along a woodland stream among house-sized rocks. Other highlights include footbridges, cascading stream views and a charming native stone shelter house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. After ascending from Hemlock garden, the trek moves on to Honeymoon falls, a 25-foot falls and second highest in the park. The section of trail from the official trailhead to the falls is exceptionally intriguing as the trail ascends a mountain stream and passes through lush growths of rhododendron. You’ll also encounter old growth forest communities along this trail.
Rock Hotel/Timber Ridge/Chained Rock Trail Mosaic – 3.5 hours
Length: 3 miles Elevation Change: 300 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Trail Leader: Naturalist, Dean Henson
Description: This adventure trek will visit one of largest sandstone rock shelters within the park. Such natural shelters or “rockhouses” as they are frequently called in the southeast, served as temporary dwelling places for both woodland Indians and white explorers. The trail passes through a rhododendron tunnel as hikers near the rockhouse. Once past the shelter, the trail plummets to the bottom of a moist ravine where a wooden bog bridge traverses a perpetually wet seep area. Next, the ascent begins along Timber Ridge Trail where the path closely traces a series of ridgeline sandstone bluffs that parallel and offer views of the spine-like crest of Pine Mountain. Finally, the route descends to the legendary Chained Rock, offering an excellent panoramic view of the surrounding mountain terrain and the Cumberland Plateau.
Living Stairway/Fern Garden Trail – 1.75 hours (combined) SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.75 miles Elevation Change: 200 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Description: Living Stairway got its name when steps were cut into the side of the tree that lay against a sandstone bluff. Though fallen, the tree’s root system was still intact and continued to live and produce leaves annually on its upper branches despite its use as a stairway. Though the Living Stairway is gone, it was in use for over 40 years and was regarded as one of the most unusual and unique trails structures in all of Kentucky State Parks. Living Stairway trail is a loop trail bringing hikers back to the point of origin. Both entrances to Fern Garden are accessed from Living Stairway trail. Fern garden trail offers hikers the opportunity to explore the variations of plant communities and habitats that lie within the park. The Fern Garden itself is located at near the halfway point of the trail and represents a unique, moist, herbaceous habitat favoring the growth cinnamon ferns, royal ferns, and Sweetgum trees. In particularly wet years, the cinnamon ferns will sometimes grow to a height of 3 or 4 feet.
Laurel Cove Trail – 1.50 hours SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.75 miles Elevation Change: 1100 feet Challenge Rating: Strenuous
Description: This trail traverses the mountain from top to bottom. The upper trailhead access is located along the lower section of Chained Rock Trail. Rich stands of rhododendron and mountain laurel are encountered along this route and at the trail’s midpoint is Powderhorn Arch, a small, natural arch of sandstone. The lower half of the trail descends through the thick upland woods typical of Pine Mountain’s southeastern slope. A little advanced planning makes this trail more pleasant to explore. Most hikers use two vehicles and elect to walk down this trail instead of up. Once at the trail’s lower outlet, they return in the second vehicle to retrieve the first.
Clear Creek Hollow Trail – 1.25 hours SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.5 miles Elevation Change: 6 feet Challenge Rating: Easy
Description: Following the route of an abandoned railroad grade, Clear Creek Hollow Trail parallels Clear Creek stream throughout its length. This old railway route, formerly a spur off the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) once serviced coal-mining operations in the area many years ago. In the mid 1980’s, the rails were taken up and the route was soon adapted for foot travel and other recreational uses. Today, it is regarded as an ideal fitness trail and is utilized by hikers, walkers, runners, mountain biker's, and fisherman. The trail is flat, level, and decidedly easy walking and boasts a number of interesting features. Those venturing along this path will encounter beautiful creek/woodland scenery, as many as 4 trestle bridges and a railroad tunnel that's short enough for natural light to illuminate the way through. The official trailhead actually begins in the middle of its length, on the parking lot side of the main park road with the trail extending to either side. When walking the section on the parking lot side, users will eventually encounter a sign that marks the end of park's maintenance responsibility, but one of the trestle bridges and the tunnel lie just beyond this point. On the other section, on the other side of the main park road, the trail passes through the campus of the Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and ends at a pair of log blockhouse towers that mark the official entrance to the Kentucky Ridge State Forest. It is recommended that you keep small children close at hand when approaching and crossing the trestle bridges.
Length: 2.25 Miles Elevation Change: 300 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Trail Leader: Naturalist, Carey Tichenor
Description: This guided adventure descends into a wooded ravine containing old-growth hemlock trees that are 3-4 feet in diameter and over 200-300 years old; the Hemlock Garden. Many large white oak and tulip poplar trees are also found here and several large sandstone boulders form Boulder Alley, where the trail meanders along a woodland stream among house-sized rocks. Other highlights include footbridges, cascading stream views and a charming native stone shelter house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. After ascending from Hemlock garden, the trek moves on to Honeymoon falls, a 25-foot falls and second highest in the park. The section of trail from the official trailhead to the falls is exceptionally intriguing as the trail ascends a mountain stream and passes through lush growths of rhododendron. You’ll also encounter old growth forest communities along this trail.
Rock Hotel/Timber Ridge/Chained Rock Trail Mosaic – 3.5 hours
Length: 3 miles Elevation Change: 300 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Trail Leader: Naturalist, Dean Henson
Description: This adventure trek will visit one of largest sandstone rock shelters within the park. Such natural shelters or “rockhouses” as they are frequently called in the southeast, served as temporary dwelling places for both woodland Indians and white explorers. The trail passes through a rhododendron tunnel as hikers near the rockhouse. Once past the shelter, the trail plummets to the bottom of a moist ravine where a wooden bog bridge traverses a perpetually wet seep area. Next, the ascent begins along Timber Ridge Trail where the path closely traces a series of ridgeline sandstone bluffs that parallel and offer views of the spine-like crest of Pine Mountain. Finally, the route descends to the legendary Chained Rock, offering an excellent panoramic view of the surrounding mountain terrain and the Cumberland Plateau.
Living Stairway/Fern Garden Trail – 1.75 hours (combined) SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.75 miles Elevation Change: 200 feet Challenge Rating: Moderately Strenuous
Description: Living Stairway got its name when steps were cut into the side of the tree that lay against a sandstone bluff. Though fallen, the tree’s root system was still intact and continued to live and produce leaves annually on its upper branches despite its use as a stairway. Though the Living Stairway is gone, it was in use for over 40 years and was regarded as one of the most unusual and unique trails structures in all of Kentucky State Parks. Living Stairway trail is a loop trail bringing hikers back to the point of origin. Both entrances to Fern Garden are accessed from Living Stairway trail. Fern garden trail offers hikers the opportunity to explore the variations of plant communities and habitats that lie within the park. The Fern Garden itself is located at near the halfway point of the trail and represents a unique, moist, herbaceous habitat favoring the growth cinnamon ferns, royal ferns, and Sweetgum trees. In particularly wet years, the cinnamon ferns will sometimes grow to a height of 3 or 4 feet.
Laurel Cove Trail – 1.50 hours SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.75 miles Elevation Change: 1100 feet Challenge Rating: Strenuous
Description: This trail traverses the mountain from top to bottom. The upper trailhead access is located along the lower section of Chained Rock Trail. Rich stands of rhododendron and mountain laurel are encountered along this route and at the trail’s midpoint is Powderhorn Arch, a small, natural arch of sandstone. The lower half of the trail descends through the thick upland woods typical of Pine Mountain’s southeastern slope. A little advanced planning makes this trail more pleasant to explore. Most hikers use two vehicles and elect to walk down this trail instead of up. Once at the trail’s lower outlet, they return in the second vehicle to retrieve the first.
Clear Creek Hollow Trail – 1.25 hours SELF-GUIDED
Length: 1.5 miles Elevation Change: 6 feet Challenge Rating: Easy
Description: Following the route of an abandoned railroad grade, Clear Creek Hollow Trail parallels Clear Creek stream throughout its length. This old railway route, formerly a spur off the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) once serviced coal-mining operations in the area many years ago. In the mid 1980’s, the rails were taken up and the route was soon adapted for foot travel and other recreational uses. Today, it is regarded as an ideal fitness trail and is utilized by hikers, walkers, runners, mountain biker's, and fisherman. The trail is flat, level, and decidedly easy walking and boasts a number of interesting features. Those venturing along this path will encounter beautiful creek/woodland scenery, as many as 4 trestle bridges and a railroad tunnel that's short enough for natural light to illuminate the way through. The official trailhead actually begins in the middle of its length, on the parking lot side of the main park road with the trail extending to either side. When walking the section on the parking lot side, users will eventually encounter a sign that marks the end of park's maintenance responsibility, but one of the trestle bridges and the tunnel lie just beyond this point. On the other section, on the other side of the main park road, the trail passes through the campus of the Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and ends at a pair of log blockhouse towers that mark the official entrance to the Kentucky Ridge State Forest. It is recommended that you keep small children close at hand when approaching and crossing the trestle bridges.
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