Mapping the Sheltowee

[Traildust]

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Kimberly Morgan
859-745-3100

WINCHESTER, Ky., October 8, 2010 – On Friday, Forest Supervisor Frank Beum issued two separate orders. One order banned fire on the Cumberland Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, including the Red River Gorge Geological Area, Clifty Wilderness and general forest area of Cave Run Lake. Another order closed nearly 12 miles of trail in the Red River Gorge due to wildfires and concern for public safety.

“The fire ban is a result of extremely dry weather conditions in the northern half of the national forest,” said Beum. “The leaf litter and wood debris on the forest ground are exceptionally dry.”
Under the fire ban, no campfires are permitted outside of developed recreation areas. In developed recreation areas, campfires must be attended at all times. The fire must be contained within designated fire rings.

Forest visitors on the Cumberland Ranger District will be allowed to use lanterns and portable stoves for cooking if camping outside a developed recreation area. Charcoal grills and fireworks are prohibited.

Two wildfires are currently burning near the Grays Arch area in the Red River Gorge. Both fires are a result of an escaped campfire. One of these fires is expected to burn up to 400 acres before it can be contained.

“The trail closures were ordered in the interest of visitor safety,” said Beum. “Wildfires are unpredictable. They can change direction quickly and spread rapidly on uphill slopes.”


The closed trail sections include Grays Arch, Rush Ridge, a portion of Rough Trail, and the Pinch-Em Tight section of the Sheltowee Trace. These trails will reopen for public use once the wildfires are contained and fully extinguished.

The fire ban will remain in place until further notice.

[Walkin'man]

Any updates? Was going to do this section this coming weekend....

[Traildust]

As of noon on Friday I have no new information on this fire ban. I suggest you call the ranger district where you want to hike today before 4:30. They are closed on Sat and Sun.

As always, friends, if you build a fire in the woods PLEASE MAKE SURE IT IS OUT before you leave. Case in poiint, we were out doing maintenance on the trail and came upon a fire that was still smoldering. If the wind had begun to blow, we could have seen a fire in that part of the forest.

Only you can prevent Forest Fires.

[Walkin'man]

I called the Winchester office and they say the trails are still closed. Here's the closure detail:

Going into or upon National Forest land on the Grays Arch Trail #205 and the Rush Ridge Trail #227. On Rough Trail #221 from junction of Trail #205 to junction of Sheltowee/Pinch-em-tight #100/223. The Sheltowee/Pinch-em-tight Trail #100/223 from Pinch-em-tight trail head to junction of Buck Trail #226.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/law/12_06_10fireclosure.shtml

There's supposed to be a map on that page, too, but it wasn't there. They faxed it to me and I've attached it below, but it's not very readable.

So the only way through is Koomer Ridge via Buck Trail or Rough Trail, then I'll have to walk the road down to Whittleton Branch . I've been on all the trails there, so I guess technically my section hike will still be complete (minus the dreaded road hikes!).

Still no word on when they'll reopen the trails. Must be pretty bad fires; what a shame. I bet it was teenagers - they're as bad as horse people - JK!