Archive for May, 2006
Bee Rock
May 31, 2006 11:40 pm
In 1972 the state of Kentucky enacted the Kentucky Wild Rivers Act to preserve the distinctive scenery, fish, wildlife, botanical, geological, and cultural character of the state’s wilderness. Of Kentucky’s many streams and rivers, portions of nine of those rivers have been established as Wild Rivers. To be classified as such, the river is described as being a linear corridor with the land on both sides of the river up to two thousand feet past the banks being included the corridor. The total number of miles designated as Wild River is one hundred and fourteen miles with 26,382 acres of land. One of those Wild Rivers is practically right outside my back door—the Rockcastle River, which begins in—no doubt, Rockcastle County. It is a tributary of the Cumberland River. The Rockcastle River has much offer the avid outdoors man or woman. Whether it be canoeing, white water rafting, camping, swimming, or hiking—there is something for all.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a ride out Hwy 192 (accessible via 914 or 80) to the Rockcastle River. It was a beautiful hot day—typical for July or August, not necessarily mid-May as it was. The campers were camping, and we hikers were hiking! We chose to hike to Bee Rock which overlooks the Rockcastle River—you can see for miles up there! The story behind the name is that the cliff used to be hollow and became so engrossed with honey bees that it blocked out the sun. Some local beekeepers determined to reclaim there livelihood used dynamite to blast the bees. The dynamite destroyed Bee Rock—the tale goes on to say that there was so much honey it flowed into the river. The area has been a great escape for hundreds of years.
The trail up to the top of Bee Rock (or what is left of it) winds up and through the woods. At one point I thought I had made a wrong turn when we came upon what I thought was a cave. It was actually rock overhang with a humungous rock leaning up against it creating the appearance of a cave. During the wet season or after a good rain, stream trickles down into the overhang and on down to the Rockcastle River. The trail winds around and all of a sudden it is very sunny with tons of lush greenery—the first thing I noticed was all of the ferns! They were huge! There are steps made of logs going down into the overhang—it is really cool down there. A great place to stop, catch your breath, and cool down. At this point you are almost there; the trail continues to meander up and around the jeep size boulders and cliffs. Finally at the top the trail splits, if you want to see the overlook at Bee Rock turn left. Since it is spring there were some glorious flowers along side the ridge top trail—and it is very sunny up there! It was so warm that day I felt like I could pull out my marshmallows and make smores by holding a stick and touching the sun.
From on top of the world—Bee Rock, the Rockcastle River is visible until it winds out of sight between the hills in both directions. Directly below the lookout is the walking bridge and to the right the driving bridge. The day we hiked some of the campers had set up all of the gear needed for having a mini-concert. We could hear them from Bee Rock they sounded good even if they were just piddling around. The hike took approximately thirty minutes up with a couple stops to catch our breath and only fifteen to get down. I would highly recommend this hike—the scenery all along the trail is spectacular then the view at the top is breathtaking literally. Be prepared to get out of breath—I thought I was in decent shape but this was a tough one. Click here for Pictures of Bee Rock
Rockhouse Bottom
May 30, 2006 12:04 am
I can’t think of a better place to visit on Memoral Day than Rockhouse Bottom. Some people refer to the Rockhouse as the Creelsboro Natural Bridge but everyone around here calls it the Rockhouse. Growing up in Russell County I remember hearing of this elusive place as a small child, however the first time I remember visiting was when I was around 15 or 16 years old but it is on my short list of favorite places in southern Kentucky. This massive limestone structure sites on the Cumberland River approximately 7 miles downstream of Wolf Creek Dam. Most natural arches are sandstone so this one is unique for sure because of the material that makes up the arch, limestone. The arch spans a little over 100 feet across (I’ve heard 104 to 106 feet) and is about 60 feet high inside. There is a small creek (Jim Creek) that runs through the arch and into the river but today it was pretty much dried up. The river level varies a great deal downstream of the Wolf Creek Dam depending on their generating schedules, today the water was as low as I remember seeing it in a long time.
Upon arriving at the Rockhouse I parked and got of the vehicle and I immediately smelled someone cooking food and could hear them talking. I assume it was campers that were there for the long holiday weekend. I proceeded to walk down the little creek looking path to enter the channel that goes back to the arch only to be welcomed by someone from Fish and Wildlife. They are doing a fish survey on the river and these poor guys and girls have to go out there and fish for 8 hours a day. Some people just have all the luck what I would give to have that job.
I decided to make the hike up to the top of the arch for a better view. The trail is short and very steep but it’s an absolute must if you visit to go up there and look at the view. When you get to the top you can sit on the rocks or take the trail on out past the little clearing area where the power lines come thru, today I continued on the trail for about 100 yards to admire the view and soak up some sun.
There are lots of things to do at the Rockhouse; there is some great fishing there, camping and hiking. Another activity of this place is rappelling. It’s not uncommon to see people hanging off their ropes and coming down the backside of the arch toward the river. When the water is up in the arch they rappel off of the face toward the parking area and road. This is the favorite rappelling site for the newly crowned Miss USA and Russell County native Tara Conner and you may just see her hanging off of a rope if you go there.
This place is a definite must see if you are in the area visiting and looking for something to do, if you are coming to camp bring everything you need with you because Creelsboro is a ghost town and you will have to travel about 30 minutes into town for supplies.
Directions to the site are as follows:
GPS Coordinates: N 36° 53.031 W 085° 14.202
From Jamestown take Hwy 127 south to Hwy 55 and turn right continue for approx 2 miles or so and turn left onto KY-1058 continue on this road until you see where KY-379 turns to the right. There is an old store there on the corner (welcome to CreelsboroJ) continue out 379 for about 2 miles and when you will start to see the river on the left side of the road you are getting close. There is a small gravel lane that turns off to the left and goes down a hill to a parking area. Welcome you have made it to the Rockhouse.
There are many other ways to get to this site but this is probably the simplest way to get there and not get lost, another option if you have a boat is launch the boat at the Wolf Creek Dam and head down river about 7 miles to the Rockhouse.
Come on out and enjoy this place and be sure to watch this site and see where we end up at next. Click here for pictures of Rockhouse.
