Saturday, March 10, 2012 Hike -- Sheltowee Trace / Gobblers Arch Hike (Jamestown area)

 The hike starts at the Peter’s Mountain Trail Head on Divide Rd in the Big South Fork Recreation Area and descend down the Sheltowee Trace Trail following the Mark Branch Creek past rock houses and rock bluffs. The trail crosses the creek several times although there are plenty of stepping rocks to make most of the crossings, but be prepared to follow the trail thru, across and down the stream to the Mark Branch Falls where the trail drops down a set of stairs to the bottom of the falls. We follow the Trace on to the bottom where we meet up with the Kentucky Wild River. Don’t worry we don’t have to cross this river. Here we pick up the Gobblers Arch Trail and start a short but steep accent up to and around steep rock bluffs & rock houses until we reach the Kentucky Wild River overlook. From here we follow the trail to and thru Gobbler’s Arch to the trail head where we will stage a car shuttle to take the drivers back to Peter’s Mt. Trail Head. I would rate this approximately 6 mile hike as moderate to strenuous due to the climb up the Gobbler Arch Trail. Depart from Cracker Barrel at 7:45am CT.  As always bring water, lunch, and extra socks in case your boots are not waterproof!  Contact: Curt Thomas to register or for more info at: curtethomas@frontiernet.net  or 931-260-2140.  Gas Cost $6. Photos: Cheryl