This cache is located at the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace and Bark Camp trails. Despite what Google maps will show, the cache is located on the NORTH side of the creek.
Bark Camp Trail #413 follows the creek downstream about 2.6 miles from parking area to intersection with Sheltowee Trace Trail. It is a moderate hike with moss-covered rocks and trees, rock shelters, campsite/picnic areas and a swimming hole within the first mile.
Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along this route and to spend time soaking in the views. I recommend allowing yourself up to 5 hours for the round trip (the hike plus snacks and enjoying the scenery). It is deep wilderness at its best and nighttime - while perfectly safe - can be frightning in a place like this.
Bark Camp Creek is a wild and remote mountain stream that is deeply cut into Daniel Boone National forest and it flows through a very narrow and deep gorge shrouded in dense laurel groves and towering hemlock forests. The area could also be considered a rock-climbers heaven with thousands of virgin rock faces (though not extremely high) and hundreds of house-sized boulders that choke the stream. Wildlife is abundant which may even include black bear.
ABOUT THE SHELTOWEE TRACE
The Sheltowee Trace is a 323-mile trail passing through beautiful, rugged and remote landscapes as well as by unique geological and cultural features. The southern terminus of the trail now extends to Burnt Mill Bridge in Tennessee and the northern terminus is in the Daniel Boone National Forest just north of Morehead, Kentucky.
The Sheltowee Trace is a National Recreation Trail and is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name “Sheltowee” by Chief Blackfish when he was adopted into the Shawnee tribe. Sheltowee translates to “Big Turtle,” so a white turtle symbol has been used to mark the trail.
I am continuing the tradition of drawing attention to this trail begun by Moonsovrbend, who placed most of the original caches on the ST. All caches placed with permission of Daniel Boone National Forest Service.
