Name: Backpacking Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, KY
Start: 2024-11-15T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-11-17T14:00:00-05:00

On again after Helene caused cancellation/postponment.

This is planned as a three day-two night, approximately 20 mile backpacking trip. It is advised to carry water during dry periods, for there are few places to obtain it along the trail and campsite(s) may be dry.

Day 1 – Drive to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitors Center (the start and finish times posted are estimates based on arrival time at the Visitors Center and time we get off trail there), drive to Pinnacle Overlook parking lot leave a car there and then self-shuttle to Civic Park parking lot and start the hike on Ewing Trail headed up to the White Rocks campsite.

Ewing Trail starts at the Civic Park parking lot and climbs a steep 2.5 miles to White Rocks Trail. White Rocks Trail is a short, very steep 0.5 mile trail that leads to the junction of Ridge Trail. From this trail junction we hike straight to White Rocks campsite and after setting up camp will return to the short spur trail leading to White Rocks overlook for sunset/sunrise. The total ascent from the parking lot to the top to White Rocks overlook is 1,655 feet.

White Rock is a large sandstone escarpment that overlooks Poor Valley Ridge. Campsite is marginal, not many flat areas with 3 cooking grates and an outhouse. First campsite is best choice, which might fit 3-4 (2) man tents. I’m assuming we can split up and others in the two remaining campsites (cooking grates) may find suitable ‘flat ground’ for tents. Following camp set-up, hike to top of White Rocks (Elev. 3390).

Days 2 and 3 - on the Ridge Trail

The Ridge Trail follows along the ridge top of the Cumberland Mountains and leads from the White Rocks overlook in the east end of the park to Pinnacle overlook. The trail has no visible blazes but does have some mile marker posts along the way (Note: the mile markers posted on the trails and the official park map of the area do not match). The trail surface changes from dirt to rock to sand to pebbles and all combinations in between. It is a shared horse trail that is in good condition and is wide. There are many changes in elevation that make this a challenging trail.

There are several features to see while hiking the Ridge Trail, or following taking short spur trails off of the Ridge Trail. Sand Cave is a large 250 feet across rock house whose sand filled floor is like an east coast beach. A water fall flows over the rock house during wet periods. Hensley Settlement is a restored pioneer settlement (1903-1951) with cabins, farm buildings, schoolhouse, church, spring houses, wooden fences, and family graveyard. Skylight Cave is 0.4 miles off the trail and has an opening that lets light in from the ceiling of the cave. The total hiking distance for day 2 is about 11 miles.

At our day's three hike’s ending point, Pinnacle Overlook has a lot of history and was the site of a civil war fort. This overlook sports vistas of Powell Valley and Fern Lake. The final day's hiking distance is about 5 miles. Drive to Civic Park, pick up car(s), return to Pinnacle parking lot, pick up hikers, and drive home.

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This is a backpacking trip.  You will need to carry everything you need for a 3 day/2 night outing on your back.  Have you done something like this before?

Backpacking Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, KY

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Backpacking Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, KY

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