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