This cache is located on the Sheltowee Trace Trail between the Thunderstruck Trailhead off KY 700 and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The trail in this area generally parallels the Cumberland River and is easy to moderate in difficulty. You can choose between a 1.75-mile roundtrip or a 6-mile point-to-point hike.
Trip affords spectacular and secluded views of the river as it passes moss-covered rocks while gently dropping to the water's edge. You will pass a nice rock shelter, trail camp site and a rock beach as you head north (downstream). Most of the trail from here to the Falls (the last 2.3 miles along the Blue Bend Loop Trail) follows the water and includes incredible beauty, numerous rock formations, a waterfall and dense hemlock forests.
To begin your trip, turn onto Thunderstruck Road from KY 700 at N36 48.867 W084 22.210. There is a small parking area here if you are thru-hiking the ST. Those just interested in the cache should continue down the mostly rough gravel road 1 mile and park at N36 48.459 W084 21.389. From here, walk downhill and around the bend about .1 mile to the well-marked trailhead heading into the woods on the left.
Cache is located about 25 feet to the left of the trail (as you come from Thunderstruck Road). Bring your own writing instrument. Please replace container as you find it.
Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along this route and to spend time soaking in the views at the river. I recommend giving yourself up to 2 hours for the round trip. Be advised that high water levels could impact your final approach to the cache site.
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.
