SEFTC Hike Report

Cumberland Gap National Park Trek

While attending the South East Foot Trail Conference at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Kentucky, I took an afternoon and attempted to reach the historic Hensley Settlement atop of Brush Mountain in Cumberland Gap National Park.
Hensley's Settlement is part of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which lies in three states: Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The preserved settlement is located atop Brush Mountain where the Hensley's first settled in 1903. In the early part of the century, the Hensley's settled on the mountain, forsaking settled areas for an entirely self-sufficient way of life. This truly rural Appalachian settlement continued, without electricity, indoor plumbing, roads or any modern conveniences until the last inhabitant left in 1951. Approximately 25 of the original buildings have been restored and the surrounding land has been returned to the original farming and pasture scene of its original appearance. Reaching the Wilderness Road State Park in Virginia I proceeded to the newly built Chadwell Gap Trailhead. While passing the Wilderness Road Park, I notice a large assembly of white tents but had no inkling of what was happening.

Donning the appropriate hiking attire, I proceeded up the Chadwell Gap Trail, which soon followed an old roadbed up the steep mountain face. Although there were many switchbacks, the climb was steep. Ascending some 1700+ feet in the 2.9 mile distance resulted in an average grade of 11% with some pulls in excess of 20%. The climb was in a muggy, overcast environment with the mountaintop shrouded in cloud cover. During the ascent, the periodic sound of booming cannon echoed from down below. The climb took an excessive toll in time and energy, and upon reaching Chadwell Gap a decision was made to forego the additional mile and associated time to reach and enjoy the settlement in favor of assuring a return to the vehicle by 6:pm.

Returning to the vehicle and exiting past the Wilderness Road State Park, a banner advertising “Martin’s Station Comes To Life Again” was noticed above the entrance just as the sound of a booming cannon pierced the surroundings. Again time constraints would not allow for further investigation but at-home research indicated that a living history event, including the Cherokee raid on the station, was ongoing. It should be noted that the station was established in 1769 by one Joseph Martin of Virginia as an outpost on the way through the Gap in close proximity to the Park, where a recreation of the station exits today. The station was abandoned shortly after establishment because of the Cherokee raid, but
was reoccupied in 1775 and became an important stop for the many thousands who traveled the Gap on the way westward. Thus this adventure only whetted the writer’s appetite to return for further exploration.

Submitted by Jim Schroeder