Our week at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky began with our arrival at Mammoth Cave Campground on July 24, 2018. The campsite was large and comfortable with convenient access to the main attraction, Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system in the world,and a world heritage site. We did Cave tours every day.
In between Cave tours we managed to explore the trails in close vicinity to the Campground and visitor center. The longest trail is the 11 mile Mammoth Cave RR, Bike and Hike Trail adjacent to the Campground. It is a well developed smooth, graveled trail, heavily used by joggers, bikers and walkers. We watched folks go by whenever we were at our campsite. Craig jogged down it a couple of times and I walked a couple miles down and back with my lovely daughter-in-law Ashley as we searched for our canine companion. Zoey makes at least one break for freedom on our vacations, always when Abby is absent too long. The trail is a nice easy walk. Luckily, Zoey circled back to the campsite and let Mom “catch” her so we didn’t have to explain how we lost her.
One evening I walked out from our campsite to walk down Whites Cave Trail to the Sinkhole trail. I met a very nice family from Cave City out enjoying the National Park in their backyard. As we talked the husband said he was going to the Smokies to Hike the Boulevard Trail to Le Conte, a Trail I did with my step sister and nephew last year. We talked trails and the blessing of having a national treasure close enough to enjoy whenever the notion strikes. As we chatted away we heard the unmistakable sound of an agitated rattle snake. 🐍 There is no other sound like it. It brought us up short, and I felt my blood run cold and the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. We came to an instant stop and watched as the snake slithered from the side of the trail into the path.
We stood quietly taking pictures and whispering our options. The snake, finally satisfied it had made its point, slithered on across the trail. We watched it progress into the woods before we continued. We parted ways and I checked out a portion of Echo River Spring Trail. From Echo River Spring Trail I climbed up to Sunset point then made my way back to the campsite.
The next day Craig and I retraced my steps adding the full length of Echo River Springs trail and checking out The River Styx Spring Trail. Both Echo River and River Styx flow from Mammoth Cave to meet the Green River and one gets to check out where these waters leave the cave.
We also did the Green River Bluffs Trail, a nice strenuous little climb from the Green River up to the tops of the bluffs. There are some places where one can see the river valley below. In the winter when the canopy is gone, I bet the views are fantastic. We met a couple of ladies walking their dogs. One pup was a female schnauzer who could have been Maximus long lost twin. We talked dogs then finished out the loop by walking past the picnin area. It was a nice challenging little hike.
Echo River trail has been upgraded to an accessible trail with nature panels explaining different ecological and geographical features of a unique environment.
The River Styx trail begins just below the Natural entrance to Mammoth Cave. I took Shane and Ashley by the Natural Entrance and down to the Green River then back up by Sunset Point. A nice little walk. The trails are all well developed and maintained. There are trail signs to assist navigation.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 