Post by Greg Stamper on Jul 21, 2014 13:14:45 GMT -5
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kimberly Morgan
Kentucky’s longest trail system turns 35
WINCHESTER, Ky., July 21, 2014 – The Sheltowee Trace was officially dedicated as part of the National Recreation Trail system in 1979. After 35 years, the trail remains as Kentucky’s longest distance trail, currently estimated at 307 miles.
“The Sheltowee Trace is a major tourist attraction for eastern Kentucky,” said Forest Supervisor Frank Beum, Daniel Boone National Forest.
“The trail takes visitors through some of the most scenic natural areas that you’ll find anywhere, and you can enjoy this spectacular scenery year round,” added Beum.
The trail is managed for multiple recreational uses, which include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and, in some designated sections, off-highway vehicles.
Steve Barbour, executive director of the Sheltowee Trace Association, a volunteer non-profit organization that helps maintain the trail, says the Trace has grown in prominence over the last few years. The trail is recognized both locally and nationally as a significant opportunity for outdoor recreation.
“The trail’s 35th anniversary is good reason to celebrate,” said Barbour. “The Sheltowee Trace helps support our local economies through tourism, luring thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year to our forests and wilderness areas.”
The STA volunteers work to keep the trail clear of fallen trees, build stairs, bridges and other trail structures, install and maintain signs, and conduct other trail maintenance activities.
From north to south, the Sheltowee Trace stretches from Rowan County, Ky. to its southern terminus in Tennessee. All but about 28 miles of the trail occur in Kentucky.
The trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee by Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee Tribe. In Shawnee, the name means “Big Turtle.”
The trail transects through portions of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and along the shores of the Cumberland River, Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake.
Note to media: A portion of the trail in Rowan County is currently undergoing relocation. Approximately 11 miles will be rerouted to include the city limits of Morehead, which was recently declared a Kentucky Trail Town. The relocation will reduce the amount of trail connections along two major highways.
Kimberly J. Morgan
Public Affairs Specialist
Daniel Boone National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
kmorgan@fs.fed.us
Phone 859-745-3107
Fax 859-744-1568
Contact: Kimberly Morgan
Kentucky’s longest trail system turns 35
WINCHESTER, Ky., July 21, 2014 – The Sheltowee Trace was officially dedicated as part of the National Recreation Trail system in 1979. After 35 years, the trail remains as Kentucky’s longest distance trail, currently estimated at 307 miles.
“The Sheltowee Trace is a major tourist attraction for eastern Kentucky,” said Forest Supervisor Frank Beum, Daniel Boone National Forest.
“The trail takes visitors through some of the most scenic natural areas that you’ll find anywhere, and you can enjoy this spectacular scenery year round,” added Beum.
The trail is managed for multiple recreational uses, which include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and, in some designated sections, off-highway vehicles.
Steve Barbour, executive director of the Sheltowee Trace Association, a volunteer non-profit organization that helps maintain the trail, says the Trace has grown in prominence over the last few years. The trail is recognized both locally and nationally as a significant opportunity for outdoor recreation.
“The trail’s 35th anniversary is good reason to celebrate,” said Barbour. “The Sheltowee Trace helps support our local economies through tourism, luring thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year to our forests and wilderness areas.”
The STA volunteers work to keep the trail clear of fallen trees, build stairs, bridges and other trail structures, install and maintain signs, and conduct other trail maintenance activities.
From north to south, the Sheltowee Trace stretches from Rowan County, Ky. to its southern terminus in Tennessee. All but about 28 miles of the trail occur in Kentucky.
The trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee by Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee Tribe. In Shawnee, the name means “Big Turtle.”
The trail transects through portions of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and along the shores of the Cumberland River, Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake.
Note to media: A portion of the trail in Rowan County is currently undergoing relocation. Approximately 11 miles will be rerouted to include the city limits of Morehead, which was recently declared a Kentucky Trail Town. The relocation will reduce the amount of trail connections along two major highways.
Kimberly J. Morgan
Public Affairs Specialist
Daniel Boone National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
kmorgan@fs.fed.us
Phone 859-745-3107
Fax 859-744-1568