Sheltowee Trace Thru Hike Episode 4: Barren Fork to Laurel Lake

[@rogerevans4339]

The Senator continues to enjoy the trail from the comfort of the couch. Such beautiful video and thoughtful narration helps me feel as if I am there (without the tough challenges). Such an accomplishment! Thanks for sharing your awesome experience. Proud of our family tradition. Proud of you!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

It has been an equal joy and pleasure editing and creating for my loved ones to enjoy. You and TC fit into those “loved ones” for sure! I feel more connected to the family now that I have had my taste of Dog Slaughter. I hope we can get all of us out there on trail sometime soon. Shine on!

[@skenchoutdoors]

Ahh such a good episode. 7:50 - Heartwarming

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks for tuning in to this series, man! -Getting to see family along our thru hike was the biggest shot in the arm. We wouldn’t have been able to complete it without their support! -Some of the best food we’ve had on trail after 7 straight days of dehydrated meals!! -That log has seen some things haha. My aunt and uncle have photos of that same log back in the 80’s. Wild. -I love me some local flora and fauna, and it seems like from your photos and videos, you do too! Gotta represent! -Totally agree, man. I hope that I can keep these traditions alive in my family for several generations to come. -Hahahahhaa there’s no such thing as too much time in the woods! Thanks again bro!

[@ronnebarbara789]

Wow..this may be my favorite one so far....beautiful falls, flowers , orange lizard, black snake, ,rock formations, plants family traditions and family! So good to know you guys got to have breaks off and on with good food and beds. So enjoy these videos!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Grandma!! This was my favorite video to make thus far, I love love love those waterfalls! Can’t wait to share the next episode next weekend. Love you lots!!

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Oh the power of friends and family!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Trail bros, trail fam, trail angels! We were blessed to have them all on trail!😊 Thanks for watching brother

[@outdoorstransient1498]

Doing great guys. Nice to be rejuvenated by family visits. Be well brother 🙏

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much man! That visit from my family was a needed shot in the arm, couldn’t have completed the hike without them! Hope you’re doing well, thanks again for watching and commenting!! Means a lot 🤘🏻

[@dirtribbonaddiction]

i hike alot in the Cumberlands, those technical sections are the BEST! i love them. half the time there is no trail, just rocks. glad u didnt see the black snake eatin a black bear! that woulda really spun your day! lol!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Yes I loved the technical sections as well! It was an enjoyable challenge with just enough risk (I might slip and fall and break something haha). I would have lost my mind if I saw that kind of animal encounter haha! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@leslieteague7885]

Nothing like Cumberland and Dogslaughter Falls!! So glad I got to be a part of it all!!! Love you!!! Can’t wait for the next episode :)

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

They are the best places to visit! So glad you enjoyed it! Can’t wait to make the next episode for next week. Love you!

[@kykatfan1167]

Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you taking the time to watch, can’t wait to share the rest!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video! Beautiful area. Subscribed. Crow✌️

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much man!!! I’ve been watching your Pinhoti videos and wondering if I should venture down that area! We just got done with our thru of the Sheltowee. I stumbled upon your channel thru your North-South Trail vids at LBL. Trying to decide which trail to tackle next!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

You would love the Pinhoti. But, I would recommend it in the fall when the temperatures are a little cooler. It is brutal out there right now. You do a great job with your videos. All the best, Crow✌️

[@patrickodowd8443]

Great video series man!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate it!

[@Cgh432]

Hey Kentucky people from another Kentucky person ❤️

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Hey thanks so much for tuning in to my channel! Means a lot and it’s nice to connect to other Kentuckians! Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more content to come!

[@tonyabrowninghikes]

WOW! Hats off to you. We did this section in 4 days lol. Currently uploading my last video for it as we speak. According to our GPS the mileage was off though. Either way Congrats on another great video.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much for your kind words!!! It was a challenging section for sure, our bodies paid for it the next day! Excited to see what you filmed! Was your GPS showing longer or shorter than what I calculated? Thanks again! Excited to share the rest with y’all!

[@tonyabrowninghikes]

@@BluegrassBackcountry ...my friends gps clocked 27 miles from holly bay marina to the falls. We didn't do the high route the trail was ok for us to pass.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Tonya Browning that’s interesting! I def know that our bodies could not have done ~25miles in one day, so part of me wants to say that it’s a tad shorter, but who knows! Distances on the Sheltowee are hard to nail down in places

[@tonyabrowninghikes]

@@BluegrassBackcountry i'm sure it's somewhere in between. Her gps could have been wrong. Either way it was a tough section no matter the mileage. Good job!

[@JimHayesHiking]

Man that really was a technical and primitive section. Loved the rock formations as well as the river footage. I wonder if someone actually slaughtered a dog at those falls.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Hey thanks so much for watching this episode and for your encouraging remarks!! This would be a section of the Sheltowee I wouldn’t mind re-hiking because it was so beautiful and challenging. The story I’ve heard behind Dog Slaughter is haunting cool, I’ve heard it was because hunting dogs didn’t realize they were at the edge of the cliff and fell off in the middle of a night hunt. Thanks again for watching!

[@CrowMagnumMan2024]

Great videos ....what tent are you using....I thot it was a plex solo but then the first shot in this video it looked like you were using 2 poles.....?

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks for tuning in! This tent was the Zpacks Solplex, which is an early predecessor of the Plex Solo. I did a review of the tent on my channel...feel free to check it out! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5a2nHt_qdd0bMU

[@Cgh432]

What camera did you use to film all of these videos? Excellent colors

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Hey thanks for the kind words!! I used a Sony RX100 Mark II for this trip, it’s a great little camera, built like a tank!

[@wanttogo1958]

Was section 27 accurately routed according to the map you had but just poorly marked? Or was the path through the woods so sketchy that you had to follow the general trend of the mapped trail and just make your way? I'm asking to understand how critical a good map and compass and/or GPS are for completing that section. Also, how long was the road walk where you filmed the potato patch? Thanks. Your video work and commentary are excellent!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Hey thanks for your question and for taking the time to watch! Section 27 has an alternate flood route about 6 miles in right above Bark Camp Creek & Cascades that’s a 3mile equivalent that eventually connects you back up with the main trail. We took it because the previous couple of year’s heavy rains and flooding has made the Sheltowee along the Cumberland River floodplain almost impassable at times; the vegetation is so thick and overgrown; that is why we took the high flood route to avoid that vegetation, but were greeted with no blazes and had to follow forestry ribbons. I would definitely have a GPS along with a map. We use the REI Hiking Project App for all our GPS data, which can be downloaded beforehand and used on trail without service. Definitely recommend, it works great. Section 29 along highway 700 wound up being about a 2 mi road walk from what I can remember. It had a reasonably challenging uphill portion which surprised us. Also little blazes along that road too. Make sure to turn right onto Thunderstruck Rd if going northbound so you can start descending down to the river. Thanks so much for watching!!!

[@wanttogo1958]

@@BluegrassBackcountry thanks so much for your detailed reply. I'm familiar with the REI Hiking Project but haven't checked it out yet but will do so soon. I'm looking forward to the remainder of your videos of your Sheltowee thru hike. Congrats on your accomplishment.

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

what shelter is Nick using?

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

He’s using a Zpacks Duplex, and I was using a Zpacks Solplex!!