Collie Ridge Bluffs to
Mammoth Cave National Park Campground, Kentucky
~ 8.0 miles - Friday - February 13, 1981 - Day 308Click on photos for larger versions. Click on text links for additional content.
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Kentucky map
Kentucky route information |
The Progression of HikaNation - Kentucky
details the journey with various organizational
memos, letters, newspaper and magazine articles. |
Unofficial Kentucky campsites
Unofficial HikaNation Campsites List
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William's morning campsite
near Collie Ridge Bluffs
(photo by William Ewart) |
Dave Backus and Tim Geoghegan
(photo by Tim Geoghegan) |
Tish Butcher
Mammoth Cave National Park Campground
(photo by Tim Geoghegan) |
Mammoth Cave National Park Map
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Houchin Ferry Campground and Collie Ridge Bluffs are within the Park. Unfortunately HikaNation's route
and my side trip and solo camp are not currently marked on the Mammoth Cave National Park Map.
The HikaNation group's route had them hiking from Houchin Ferry Campground to the Mammoth Cave National Park Campground (Thursday), and then they
spent 2 rest days there (Friday and Saturday).
I decided to take a different route and spent Thursday night near Collie Ridge Bluffs, in the backcountry. Today, Friday, I would catch up to the group and spend 1 rest day (Saturday) at the main campground.
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Backcountry Use Information
Mammoth Cave National Park
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HikaNation's Hiking Route
into the Mammoth Cave National Park
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Tim Geoghegan's mother and Tim -
She visited here at Mammoth Cave National Park,
but this photo may be from Arkansas & Tim's 21st.
His sister and brother-in-law also joined the visit.
(photo by Tim Geoghegan) |
From William Ewart's journal:
Day started off well but ended poorly - lingered at the Bluffs, slowly packing, playing the recorder several times, waiting for the tent bottom and sleeping bag (really wet!) to dry out. Great sound for the recorder at the end of the trail at the cemetery/church. Pushed it on the road to the Green River Ferry - talked to the operator for 30-45 minutes.
Left the Bluffs around 1230pm, to the Mammoth Cave National Park Campground by 4pm. Echo Spring, out of Mammoth Cave, really green and huge, but not visibly putting out a gush. Last mile to here ascending.
Yikes - final count of only 12-13 who took the trail from Houchin Ferry Campground to here - others took the road from Brownsville to here. Bad and cold weather has turned people into roadies!
Talked with Marce and Cindy upon arrival - treated to sourdough bread and cheese by Marce. I shared Mom's oatmeal & raison cookies with them, Donna, Monty, Mike H. I polished off the rest.
Met Tim Geoghegan's mother, sister and brother-in-law while setting up my tent - later invited to join them at a party in Sharon's parents room - beer and champagne. Hope he wasn't offended, but I declined. No mood to party or drink - just found out my car had not been sold, that my parents would not be able to visit later this month, no word from Craig in D.C., no developed pictures from Donna, and pigged out on cookies.
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