Monday, March 11, 2013

Carter Caves Wildflower Weekend

Goldenstar: Photo by R. Vanover
April 19-21, 2013

Spring is arriving and with that comes the beauty of wildflowers bursting with splendid beauty.  Carter Caves State Resort Park will be hosting a wildflower weekend on April 19-21.  Experienced field trip leaders and naturalists will be leading hikes to observe these "spring beauties."  In addition, there will be birding field trips, canoeing excursions, fern walks, invasive species hike and eradication, and much more.  For information about the Carter Caves Weekend, please see the PDF File link below.  It has a complete schedule of events for your review.

Carter Caves PDF Wildflower Flier


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Kentucky State Naturalist's Blog: Volunteer Trail Vacations for Kentucky



View of Pine Mountain

Great news!  Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail (PMSST) have been chosen by the American Hiking Society for Trail Volunteer Vacations for 2013.

Natural Bridge will host the event in April 2013 and the PMSST will host the event in September 2013.  These trips are great opportunities for those people who want to give back to the outdoor world through trail maintenance.  These trips are also located in many parts of the United States.
Natural Bridge in the fall

To schedule your Kentucky trip, visit the links below.

Natural Bridge American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation Link

Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail American Hiking Society Vacation Link


Up The Creek With A Paddle!



Guests on a Cave Tour
Great paddling events are planned for Carter Caves State Resort Park for March, April, and May. Warm up the Spring with an adventure float down Tygarts Creek.  Known for its caves and outdoor amenities, Carter Caves State Resort Park has a dining room, cottages, lodge rooms, golf, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing, and camping.

‘BYOK’ Tygart Creek Kayak Float
March 23 and May 11
This is a 6-mile kayak trip that navigates paddlers down Tygarts Creek, which cuts through one of Kentucky's most scenic limestone gorges. You will be on the creek for at least 3.5 hours. “BYOK” stands for bring your own kayak. The park provides the transportation shuttle from the Welcome Center and guides for your trip on the creek. You will see high cliffsides and the natural beauty that the spring has to offer. There will be a side trip into one of Kentucky’s largest natural limestone tunnels. Required equipment includes; kayak, paddle, PFD (life jacket), the correct attire for cool-weather paddling, a complete change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for natural tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water and a dry bag for your supplies.  Participants meet at the Welcome Center at 10 a.m. The cost is $25 per person. Limited space available; preregistration is required. Call the park’s recreation department to register, 1-800-325-0059. (This trip may be canceled due to high or low water levels or extreme weather conditions).
Paddling on Tygarts Creek

Tygart Creek ‘Regretta’ Canoe Excursion 
April 13, 14 and May 12
This is a 6-mile canoe trip that navigates paddlers through the Tygarts Creek Gorge, one of Kentucky's most scenic limestone gorges.  You will be on the creek for at least 3.5 hours.  Canoe experience is required. If you don’t have the experience, then you’ll know why we call this a “REGRETTA.” Along the way you’ll see high cliffsides and the natural beauty that the spring has to offer. There will also be a side trip into one of Kentucky’s largest natural limestone tunnels. A guide, canoes, paddles, life jackets and transportation to and from the creek are provided. Required equipment is warm clothes, extra change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for natural tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water and a dry bag for your supplies. The cost is $25 per person. Limited space available; preregistration is required. Participants meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. (This trip may be canceled due to high or low water levels or extreme weather conditions).  Call the park’s recreation department to register at 1-800-325-0059.

Directions: From Interstate 64, Exit 161, take U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. The park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Volunteer Trail Vacations for Kentucky


Photo of Pine Mountain by Brett Bentley

Great news!  Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail (PMSST) have been chosen by the American Hiking Society for Trail Volunteer Vacations for 2013.

Natural Bridge will host the event in April 2013 and the PMSST will host the event in September 2013.  These trips are great opportunities for those people who want to give back to the outdoor world through trail maintenance.  These trips are also located in many parts of the United States.
Natural Bridge in the fall


To schedule your Kentucky trip, visit the links below.

Natural Bridge American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation Link

Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail American Hiking Society Vacation Link