Announcing a Guided Hike at Seedtime

Seedtime on the Cumberland is proud to announce yet another special event that will take place at this year’s festival–a free, guided hike to Bad Branch Falls!  Our friends at the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust  and the brand-new Pine Mountain Outfitters (an outdoor outfitter store located right here in Whitesburg!) are sponsoring the hike, which will be led by KNLT board member Roy Crawford.

For those of y’all who may not know, Bad Branch Falls is a magnificent, 60-foot waterfall that forms the crown jewel of the Bad Branch State Nature Preserve, 2,639 acres of protected woodlands along the south face of Pine Mountain in Letcher County, Ky.  The hike to the falls runs along Bad Branch, a state-designated Wild River, and through a gorge that is home to one of the largest concentrations of rare and uncommon species known in the state, including Kentucky’s only known pair of nesting ravens.

The hike is completely free!  Individuals must pre-register, however, by either writing to [email protected] or calling WMMT at (606) 633-0108, as space is limited.  All we need when you get in touch is your name, how many in your group, and a phone number at which we can reach you.   Hikers will convene at the McDonald’s at the intersection of Highway 15 with Highway 119 in Whitesburg before 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012, with a departure time of 9.  Mr. Crawford will lead a caravan on the 8-mile drive to Bad Branch, and he will then lead a group to the falls and back!  Lunch will not be provided, as the hike should wrap up before 1 p.m.

It’s recommended that participants be at least 10 years of age or older and in good physical condition.  Long pants and good hiking shoes/boots are also recommended–there are some slippery spots on the trail.  And don’t forget your camera, bottles of water, or a rain coat if things look inclement (though we at Seedtime don’t like to speak of such things).  Finally, while you’re in town, be sure to stop by the brand-new Pine Mountain Outfitters at 645 Highway 2034 in Whitesburg to check out their selection of outdoor gear and supplies.

We look forward to hearing from you, and see you on the trail!