Hiking Adventure - Big South Fork State Park

Back in June, Nash, Erin, Brandon and I went on a second hiking adventure at Big South Fork State Park on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. We had originally planned to hike at Mammoth Caves however water issues and limited back country camping had us a little worried and at the last minute, the plans changed. We couldn't take Louie this time, Erin and Brandon's pup, because this park was a bear relocation area back in the 70's/80's making us feel a little uncomfortable. But, what are the chances we'd run into a bear right!?!

I'll start off this story by saying that our first hiking adventure to Red River Gorge quickly roped us in. We were hooked and had a wonderful time. This camping trip CHALLENGED us physically, mentally, and even spiritually (yes I did a lot of praying!). If something was going to go wrong, IT DID! So, here goes!

Our first challenge came on the drive down when the highway was shut down to one small lane after a tractor trailer overturned. What should have only taken a few hours turned into many hours, including getting stranded at an exit and having to take a detour b/c they were not letting cars back onto the highway. That put us at the park with no more than 1 1/2 hours of daylight. On the hike in we kept a steady pace knowing we would be setting up camp in the dark. About half way to the camp, we were not so nicely greeted with the gruff sounds and stomping of a not so happy animal. With head lamps shinning and our bodies frozen to listen, we discovered it was deer. Slowly we marched on, single file, hoping he would just ignore us. When we got to our campsite we noticed some gear tied to a post with a tarp above, but no one in sight. We were all initially curious and hesitant to set up camp wondering who would leave their gear aside. But, fatigue had set in and we went ahead and set up camp opposite the stranded gear. That night I prayed that no crazy person was looming around or no animal had discovered him/her!HAHA!

The next morning we investigated the gear. It looked pretty old as if someone had left it there for quite some time. The campsite turned out to be really beautiful with a running river just over the hill.


So, after our morning breakfast of hot oatmeal, we headed out for our hike to Yahoo Falls, the tallest waterfall in KY. The hike was fun and fairly uneventful. Once we arrived we sat above the falls in a cavern and ate lunch. Our drinking water was getting low so Nash and Brandon decided to descend to the bottom of the falls for water. As they were carrying the water bottles and water filter, Nash managed to slip on the rocky steps and fall, cutting open his knee, elbow, and forearm. The good news, he didn't drop a single jug!!HAHA!
After Nash cleaned up and we filled the water jugs, we headed out for a long afternoon hike to our next destination. Along the way we saw beautiful rock formations, a few critters, and good views.


During a section of the hike we ran into a little narrow spot that the team thought I should try to squeeze through first. Needless to say, this method didn't work. I ended up getting down on my hands and knees and made it through. Brandon followed. Erin and Nash got smart and found another route around!
When we made it to our next destination to set up camp, we ran into another problem...Water Shortage. We did not have enough water for drinking and cooking. Our maps told us that within 1/2 mile from this spot we'd find many streams with water. So, we left Nash behind to set up camp and Erin, Brandon, and I set out to find water. 1/2 mile or so out, we had crossed 4 dry creek beds and found NO WATER. At that point we knew we we had made a very large loop and were only 2 miles or so from our first campsite. So, we had two choices 1. Keep searching until we find water or 2. Pack up and head back to our first campsite (where there was a running river close by). Despite being extremely tired and hungry, Erin, Brandon, and I decided we would hustle back, pack up, and hike approx 1 1/2 hours back to the first campsite.

As we hurried back, our next BIG PROBLEM....Brandon slipped in a rocky creek bed and slammed his knee into the rocks....it was the loudest crack I have ever heard! Brandon lay on the rocks in the fetal position in pain and Erin and I looked in shock. We decided I would run as fast as I could to get Nash thinking Brandon would need assistance back to the camp site. The other scary reality...it dawned on us that we would probably not be able to hike out tonight which meant we had to conserve water.

So, with some assistance, Brandon made it back safely to camp although limping and in pain. Here Nash and Brandon show off their wounds! We made a plan of how to conserve water to make it through the night and morning hike and then tried to eat and rest for the evening.
Now, here's the part I don't have pictures of. After resting, eating, and playing some cards, we managed to make a nice campfire and settle down for the evening. All had calmed down and then we heard the sound.....GGGGRRRR....STOMP, STOMP.......GGGGRRRR......STOMP, STOMP. The sound was slightly above our campsite to the right. Nash and Brandon jumped to their feet with their headlamps on searching for some sight of the animal. It continued....GGGRRR....STOMP, STOMP.....GGGRRR.....STOMP, STOMP. There was no doubt it was a BEAR. We began to make as much noise as possible in attempt to scare the thing off. Erin and I banged flashlights against the pots/pans, Nash and Brandon yelled in very deep voices. We built the fire up as much as we could. Unfortunately we had little for self defense. We held two small canisters of pepper spray....I thought, maybe I could squirt the pepper spray through the fire and make a flame shooter!HAHA. Scary enough, the bear decided to circle and spar with us trying to see who could be the most intimidating. We'd shout and the get quiet, then the bear would respond with his GGGRRR....STOMP and then you'd hear him heavily crunching through the woods, sticks breaking under his paws! IT WAS SCARY. We also had realized that we had not hung our food bags in the trees making our site much more enticing for animals....like a BEAR! It was pitch black outside and this went on for a good 45 minutes. The bear started above us to the right and the last time we heard him he was below us to the left. After awhile we sat quietly close to the fire, all four of us side by side, waiting to hear the bear and shining our lights in all directions with every sound in the forest. After awhile, we had to assume he was gone and quickly began gathering everything that had a scent, placing them in the food bags, and hanging them in the trees far away from our tents. As you can imagine, it was very hard to relax and go to sleep that night.

The next morning we were happy to be alive! Our gear and food were untouched. One concern was the lack of water. We were motivated though b/c we knew the river was only a couple miles away. The second concern....How was Brandon going to hike with that heavy pack and a bum knee. Despite the worries, we pressed on and in a couple hours, we arrived at the river. It was a celebration. We were tired and thirsty with only about 3-4 oz. left of drinking water in the bottle. In the excitement we finished off the last of the water and headed down to the river.

As I watched, I could tell something had gone terribly wrong. I made my way out only to find that the water filter was SHATTERED! Here, that loud crack I heard when Brandon fell in the rocky creek bed was not his knee, IT WAS THE WATER FILTER! We were devastated starring at a huge body of water and unable to drink it! Another big blow! So, we decided to cool off, bathe in the water and try to relax.




So, now we have no water, no water filter, are extremely thirsty, and sucking on fruit chews to try to salivate as we hike out. The new plan, get to the car (approx. 2 hour hike) where I know I have extra bottled water and the ability to drive to the store for more! It was the longest hike of our life. And worse, we kept passing abandoned camp sites but no one around to ask for water.

We were never so excited to see our car. We packed up our shoes, drank up the water, piled into the car, went into the small town for lunch and after some heavy duty discussion, set up camp at a local campground for the night. We ended the trip with a good meal, shower, and and evening of star gazing!
When all is said and done....would we do it again? Absolutely! Just a little smarter and wiser for the next time. In fact, soon to come are Nash's pictures of backpacking in Montana at Yellow Stone 1 month later.