Berea College Forest

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you didn't eat too much, although that's probably not the case.  :-)  Here is another post to encourage you to get out and burn off some of those extra pie and turkey pounds with a day hike at the Berea College Forest in Berea, Ky

Back in the summer Kenny and I went on a day hike to the Berea College Forest and hiked about 6 miles of the 8 or so miles of trails and stopped at all of the scenic vistas that the BCF has to offer.  West Pinnacle, Indian Fort Lookout, Buzzard's Roost, Eagle's Nest, East Pinnacle and another really cool overlook, that I haven't been able to find a name for, just down the trail from the Indian Fort lookout.  I had been to the BCF several times in the past while in college at EKU, but never had hiked all or most of the trails at one time.

Let me just say right now:  pound for pound, mile for mile this is the BEST day hike I have been on in Kentucky thus far.  The scenic views are outstanding, the trails are nice and typically when going during the day, through the week, one would not encounter hardly a soul on the trail.  The weekends, I'm sure, are crowded and it's not to say that you wont see someone else during the week but it's always nice when you can enjoy one of the scenic views with no one else around.

Unnamed overlook

From the West Pinnacle and Indian Fort Lookout one can see EKU in the distance and on a clear day one can see the "Big Blue Building"or 5/3 building in Lexington.  Although I haven't confirmed this, I swear that is what it is because it's in the direction of Lexington and being that it's the tallest building in Lexington...I'm just sayin'.  If anyone out there agrees with me please comment.

 

View from Indian Fort Lookout

After all of the times that I had been hiking at the BCF over the years, I had never ventured to the East Pinnacle.  Man was I missing out.  I had always hiked up to the Indian Fort Lookout because, rightfully so, it has awesome views of the valley below, EKU and the aforementioned Lexington skyscraper. The East Pinnacle views are stunning!

East Pinnacle

CAUTION!!!  These are cliffs and can be dangerous.  PAY ATTENTION!!!

I'm not trying to preach but want everyone to be aware of the danger of not paying attention in this scenic area.  All of the overlooks can be a fall hazard.

Once you are done hiking go check out their downtown area.  Berea is the "Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky"...at least that's what they say.   And if there is one thing that is a must after hiking, it's that you get a couple of slices, at least, of pizza from Papalenos.  The pizza is awesome.  Check them out.

If you get a chance check out the Berea College Forest and it's trail system.  You wont be disappointed.

Hike,
John
Team Sawyer-Dietrich

Poncho Shelter

In my seemingly never-ending quest to lighten up, I have tried everything for shelter. From the bomb proof Eureka tent to a cheap disposable plastic painter's sheet to a bivy tent, back to a tarp and so on and so on. One of my favorites and most versatile is the poncho shelter. A military issue (otherwise known as military surplus)  or a backpacker's poncho works best. However most survival or sportsman's blankets can usually be set up into the same configurations.

The first pic shows the A frame set up using trekking poles and cordage. I attached a bug net to the inside for insect protection. In the early days John and I used a tarp with no bug net and spent a sleepless night wrestling with the mosquitoes. We stayed dry through the pouring rain, but regardless we got no sleep. I slept pretty good in the A frame configuration but since then I have learned even better techniques.


Utilizing a ridge line for the center support is the greatest thing since Mountain House. When placing the ridge line stand next to the first tree and place it about waist high. Run your line to the next tree or point and do the same. Attaching your guy lines to the ridge line with a prusik knot allows you to tighten and adjust as you go. It's so simple it feels like cheating. The "plow point" or "wedge" configuration is shown to the left. Use this for colder weather, for it will trap the heat if used correctly near a fire. Also this has a lower profile which will work well in windy conditions.



For warmer weather I recommend the "lean-to" configuration. This will provide shade, good air circulation and allow a bug net to attach easily. As with any shelter pay attention to your surroundings. Look for potential dead-falls or "widow makers" around or above you. The last thing you want is to be awoken by a falling tree, or even worse be injured by said tree.

 
Incorporate windbreaks, heat reflectors, and debris as insulation into your temporary wilderness home. Notice the windbreak in the first picture. I camped with my head to the oncoming wind as to draw the smoke from the fire away from me, but needed the extra protection from the wind while sleeping.

Experiment with your poncho before trying this for overnight shelter. It takes a little getting used too as well as additional preparation. Be sure to check your weather as you normally would to ensure a safe camping or backpacking  experience.


Hike on (just a little lighter),
Kenny D
Co-founder TSD

Big South Fork: Blue Heron Loop

This fall for our big backpacking trip we decided to go to Big South Fork and hike the Blue Heron Loop.  This trail is listed at about 6.5 miles but we added a few, because we can never just do the published mileage. :-) This trail features two platformed decks with scenic views of the Big South Fork River:  Devils Jump and Blue Heron, an interesting geologic feature called "Cracks-In-The-Rocks" and an abandoned coal mining town that was owned and operated by the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company.

Devils Jump

Both scenic overlooks require a small side trip, with the longest being the Blue Heron Overlook.  However both are not that difficult.  One thing to note is that the Blue Heron Overlook looked like it had been on fire at one time and subsequently parts of the railing and platform were removed, presumably to be fixed.  Please be careful and pay attention when spending time up there.

Real steep stairs

The next cool thing that we came upon was the "Cracks-In-The-Rocks".  This feature has the trail following through...well...cracks in the rocks.  After coming down these stairs above, it's not that far.

                                       

Kenny admiring the cracks in the rocks

From there our next stop was the Blue Heron coal mining town for our dinner.

Red Beans and Rice with flour tortillas and block cheddar cheese.

This was a nice surprise.  We really didn't know what to expect once we got there but it was a welcome sight because, for one, there was a water fountain there and it was work free water.  No filtering! Once we came down the mountain and into the town we saw what they call "ghost structures" of buildings that used to be there.  A church, houses, school etc. and at the train tracks there was a depot and a coal tipple with train cars.  Pretty neat.

Coal Tipple

Train Depot

This is an interpretive history park and can be reached by vehicle.  The park is open to come and see anytime. The restrooms were locked and I assume that the gift shop and book store open when the train is running.  This is a stop for the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.  Blue Heron was run buy the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company. The National Park Service has some good information and pictures of the town in it's heyday here.

After spending quite awhile here enjoying the scenery and our dinner, we had to get going to set up camp.
About a half of a mile or so from the depot we set up camp close to the river.  It was getting dark so we got a fire going and kept it going for a couple of hours even though most everything was damp from the rain that had come by the night before.  The rapids from the river were like turkey on Thanksgiving...put us both to sleep quick.  It had been a cold night but not too unbearable and in the morning when we woke up we walked to the river and this was the scene...

I filtered some water and Kenny made some breakfast before we headed on to finish the trail.

Powdered Huevos Rancheros (not very good), blueberry muffin and coffee

The trail follows the river for awhile and then goes back uphill and on back to the trail head.  This was an awesome trail with many scenic vistas, interesting features and, of course, the Blue Heron coal town.  To see a video of our hike and many more check out our YOU TUBE page.

We have been fortunate to be able to go to many different places in our Commonwealth Of Kentucky and we are thankful that we were able to make this trip to the Big South Fork.  Tell us what your favorite trail in the Big South Fork is and why.  Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more adventures.



Go take a hike,
John
Team Sawyer-Dietrich