Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
We found this place over 5 years ago. Its a beautiful spot for a sunset (but bring a flashlight to get back to you car). The trail is large enought to fit a car or truck but the entrance is usually gated. Park at the entrance and start hiking back. Once you get to another gate (of sorts) that is across the trail. Go around this gate and keep your eyes open for a trail that heads off to the right and up a hill. This next part of the trail is why I listed the terrain as a 3.5. Take breaks if necessary when needed. The trail is safe just steep in places. Have fun and enjoy this beautiful area.
The Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower was constructed in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service. It replaced a wooden tower that was located near the Dryland Bridge. The wooden tower had been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps a few years earlier. The new tower was part of a forest-wide fire detection system. It’s purpose was to triangulate fires with Bald Rock, Buck Knob, Stearns and Shelly Knob Towers.
The tower was manned by several different men over the years. The “fire watchers” would live in the cabin on top of the tower during the fire seasons which would be mostly in the spring and fall. By the mid 1970’s the Pinnacle Knob Tower was abandoned. Most towers throughout the U.S. were replaced by aerial observation. At one point the tower was leased by the Corps of Engineers. The Corps had planned on putting a radio repeater station on the tower, but the project was never completed. Over the past 30 years the tower’s cabin fell into disrepair. During the early 1990’s, a project was started to restore the tower, but without adequate funding the project was put on hold.
In 2007 the project was revitalized with State Park improvement and grant monies. The steel structure was upgraded first. During the spring and summer of 2008, work began on restoring the cabin. The plan was to use as much original materials as possible, as well as maintaining the tower’s authenticity. The park’s goal is to recreate the interior of the cabin to represent the early days of fire detection.
The Pinnacle Knob Tower is very unique in several ways. First, very few fire towers remain in Kentucky. Secondly, it is one of the few built with a 14 x 14 ft. cabin which was large enough for the fire watcher to live in. Lastly, the tower is very remote, the majority of towers could have access by driving to the base.
The cabin and catwalk of the tower will be open for tours on a scheduled basis. Please contact the recreation department for information on guided tours.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures