HIKES

KENTUCKY TRAILS ASSOCIATION HIKES

MAY 10, 2008  Hike at Iroquois Park.  Kentucky Trails Association is co-hosting a hike with Olmsted Parks Conservancy.  Meet at the amphitheater at 1 pm.  www.olmstedparks.org 

MAY 31, 2008  Hike at Land Between the Lakes.  Kentucky Trails Association will hike the Hematite Lake and Honker Trail.  Meet at the Woodlands Nature Center at 11am local time (noon Louisville time).  If you are t raveling to this hike from the Louisville area, please contact dennis.crowley@win.net for possible carpool opportunities.

OTHER SCHEDULED HIKES IN KENTUCKY

 MAY 10, 2008  This historical trek will feature visits to Wilderness Road State Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to trace the steps of Boone and others traveling on the Wilderness Road.  Highlights include a visit to Martin's Station fort, interaction with reenactors in period attire, a 1-mile hike to Cumberland Gap and spectacular mountain scenery.  The registration fee is $15 per person and the park will provide bottled water and transportation by van.  Participation is limited to 10 persons and all participants are encouraged to bring snacks and a sack lunch.  The hike is moderate so wear sturdy shoes.  Time: 6.5 hours.  The registration deadline is May 5, 2008.  Contact Naturalist, Dean Henson, for more information at 800.325.1712 or Dean.Henson@ky.gov

MAY 12, 2008  Hike at Floracliff State Nature Preserve. Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on this hike led by Zeb Weese, eastern regional preserve manager at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.  Registration required for this event. floracliff@aol.com  For more infomation, visit www.floracliff.org  

MAY 20, 2008  Bernheim Forest "Full Pink Moon Night Hike".  Guided hike begins at 8:30 pm.  Meet at the Visitor Center.  Pre-registration is required.  $7 member, $10 non-members.  Call (502)955-8512 or visit www.bernheim.org 

MAY 24, 2008  Kentucky Natural Lands Trust will host a hike in Blanton Forest.  Hikers will enjoy the Knobby Rock and Sand Cave Loops (considered strenuous). Merril Flanary, KNLT Forest Steward, will be the guide. The hike will last several hours and will include a stop for lunch. Long pants and hiking boots are recommended, and participants should bring a backpack with lunch and plenty of water.  Participants must pre-register for the hike by calling 1-877-367-5658 or by email at info@knlt.org. The hike is limited to 20 people and is recommended for adults and children ages 10 and older in good physical condition.  For directions to Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve, visit www.knlt.org for more information.

MAY 24 - 25, 2008  Louisville Hiking Club will travel to Carter Caves State Park.  For more information, visit www.louisvillehiking.org

JUNE 7, 2008   Love the outdoors but the thought of sleeping out is not for you? Then try out an all-day hiking excursion at Cumberland Falls State Park. Our hike will begin in the morning and we will stop for lunch along the trail. We will hike approximately 6 miles and be finished before dark. The registration fee of $15 includes lunch on the trail. Learn about native plant and animal life and experience some breathtaking views. Registrants will receive a list of suggested personal items to bring prior to their trip. For more information or to register, please contact Steve Gilbert at Steve.Gilbert@ky.gov or (606) 528-4121.

JUNE 14, 2008  Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes at Natural Bridge State Park Nature Preserve. On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features of the area as well as some of its little-known secrets. Total distances vary from six to 12 miles. Registration fee includes guide, snacks and a Natural Bridge souvenir. COST:  $15.  For more information, please contact Park Naturalist Noelle Grunwald via e-mail at noelle.grunwald@ky.gov or call 606-663-2214, ext. 2104 or toll free at 800-325-1710.

JULY 12, 2008  Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes at Natural Bridge State Park Nature Preserve. On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features of the area as well as some of its little-known secrets. Total distances vary from six to 12 miles. Registration fee includes guide, snacks and a Natural Bridge souvenir. COST:  $15.  For more information, please contact Park Naturalist Noelle Grunwald via e-mail at noelle.grunwald@ky.gov or call 606-663-2214, ext. 2104 or toll free at 800-325-1710.

AUGUST 9, 2008  Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes at Natural Bridge State Park Nature Preserve. On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features of the area as well as some of its little-known secrets. Total distances vary from six to 12 miles. Registration fee includes guide, snacks and a Natural Bridge souvenir. COST:  $15.  For more information, please contact Park Naturalist Noelle Grunwald via e-mail at noelle.grunwald@ky.gov or call 606-663-2214, ext. 2104 or toll free at 800-325-1710.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008  Adventure Pennyrile Forest offers a naturalist guided hike in 2008. Hike half of the Pennyrile Nature Trail for a registration fee of $12 per person. Registration fee includes: transportation, a bottle of water, snack, and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Patch. Registered participants can get a 10% discount off park lodging. The hike is in Pennyrile State Forest and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and is over 6 miles. The trail rating is difficult. Registration deadline is one week prior to hike date.  To download registration form, go to the park website at http://parks.ky.gov  

SEPTEMBER 27, 2008  Adventure Pennyrile Forest offers a naturalist guided hike in 2008. Hike half of the Pennyrile Nature Trail for a registration fee of $12 per person. Registration fee includes: transportation, a bottle of water, snack, and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Patch. Registered participants can get a 10% discount off park lodging. The hike is in Pennyrile State Forest and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and is over 6 miles. The trail rating is difficult. Registration deadline is one week prior to hike date.  To download registration form, go to the park website at http://parks.ky.gov   

OCTOBER 11, 2008  Exploring Arch Country Guided Hikes at Natural Bridge State Park Nature Preserve. On these guided hikes you will get a good look at the area's rugged cliff lines, rock shelters, rhododendron and natural arches. Destinations include both well-known features of the area as well as some of its little-known secrets. Total distances vary from six to 12 miles. Registration fee includes guide, snacks and a Natural Bridge souvenir. COST:  $15.  For more information, please contact Park Naturalist Noelle Grunwald via e-mail at noelle.grunwald@ky.gov or call 606-663-2214, ext. 2104 or toll free at 800-325-1710.

NOVEMBER 1, 2008  Moonbow Trail Trek  Hikers can choose a challenging 4.5 or 10.8 mile trek through the beautiful Cumberland River Gorge.  These Adventures are unguided but hikers will pass through check points along the way. Registration Fee: $15.  Event time: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.   For more information, call (606)528-4121 or visit the park website at http://parks.ky.gov

OTHER HIKING CLUBS IN KENTUCKY

Lexington Hiking Meetup Group:  http://hiking.meetup.com/279

Kentuckiana Single Hikers and Walkers (KISHAW):   www.kishaw.org 

Louisville Hiking Club:  www.louisvillehiking.org 

McCreary County Hiking Club:   www.kyvacations.com/Hiking.html  or contact Greg Whitis at gwhitis@uky.edu , phone (606)376-2524 

Southern Indiana Hiking Club:  Contact Troy Wright (502)817-7969 or twinsdad07@hotmail.com 

Kentucky Hikers (based in Lexington) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kentuckyhikers/

Tri-State Hiking Club  http://hiking.meetup.com/201/