2017 TRACE NOTES

Helpful information for your adventure

on Section 11 of the Hiker Challenge.

Start Point— Bandy Creek Trail Head

End Point— Burnt Mill Bridge—South Terminus 22 miles

WEATHER DECISION Please check our Facebook,

Twitter pages and your email for any last minute

weather decisions.

Journey’s End!

Congratulations! You’ve made it to section 11. The final section of the 2017 Hiker Chal-

lenge, sponosred by the Sheltowee Trace Association. The long miles hiked in previous

month mean you can spend some extra time enjoying the Trace, seeing the beauty at regu-

lar speed. The low miles are designed to give you some time to exchange stories with new

friends as you walk along. But most of all, a chance for reflection on the significance of

what you have accomplished.

323 official miles. At least 22 days of hiking. A commitment of 11 months to a personal

goal that turned into a group goal. Friends for the rest of your life. Backpacking partners and a passion to keep go-

ing. We salute your achievement and hope the last miles pass slow.

2017Hiker Challenge—Elevation Profile Section 11

Elevation diagram courtesy of Kaner “Rudy” Davis, Class of 2014

Section 11 Trace Notes:

Bandy Creek Trail Head to Burnt Mill Bridge

Challenge participants please note the shuttle pick up is at 7:30 AM at Burnt Mill Bridge

FRIDAY NIGHT CAMPOUT: Friday night early arrival camp out is at Bandy Creek campground. If you are so inclined there are

several hotels / motels in the area close to the Burnt Mill trail head. Please do not arrive before 6 pm if you are staying at Bandy

Creek. We will camp in the same area as we camped for section 10. There are heated bathrooms in the campground. If you

have a reservation at a local hotel AS LONG AS YOU CAN GET ON RT 27 AND HEAD SOUTH YOU CAN FIND THE TRAIL HEAD. Look

for highway 297 as it comes in from your left, right near the hotel. Follow directions below from 297. If you are camping at Ban-

dy Creek, yes you will have to leave at 6:30 in order to get to Burnt Mill Bridge then turn around and go back to Bandy Creek.

Shuttle Info: The shuttle will leave from Burnt Mill Bridge at 7:30 a.m. . It is about 1 hour ride back to Bandy Creek. If you are

running late or miss the shuttle, please text 606.386.3636 and go direct to Bandy Creek.

Driving Directions: The easiest way to get to Burnt Mill Bridge is to take I-75 south past Williamsburg and through Jellico and

up and over the mountain. At exit 141 you get off (look for the giant cross) and at the end of the ramp you go right. This is

route 63 or Howard Baker Highway. Stay on 63 for about 4 miles. It ends at Rt. 297 where you go right toward Huntsville.

Watch for Big South Fork directional signs as well. At the intersection of 297 and 27, you go left. On 27 you will drive about 4

miles and turn right on Old Highway 27 at STA Event sign. The turn is quarter mile from where you cross the New River bridge.

Stay on Old 27 for about 3 miles and look for right turn at STA Event sign onto side road over to Mountain View. Signs to Burnt

Mill are along the road in brown. In one minute you turn left onto Mountain View. Stay on Mountain View for about 6 miles and

when you come to Crossroad church on the right you will turn right. Again there is a brown NPS sign there to help you. This is Al

Martin Rd and in 5 minutes you will hit a fork. Again look for signs. You will go left on Honey Creek Loop trail. Down the hill and

around the corner you will see the old bridge and the picnic area trailhead across the river.

Trace Tips for Section 1: The Sheltowee is again co-located with several other trails. Keep an eye out for the “turtle”. You start

on Litton Farm at Bandy Creek and head downhill working your way down toward the river. Along the way you will have a few

climbs and popout on top just 100 feet from Angel Falls Overlook. This is the money shot. Hope for a beautiful fall day with

some color still on the trees down the river. Return to the Trace and down you go. Be careful at the cable. It is there for a rea-

son. Use it. Once down and along the river you are now on an old road all the way to the staircase at the bridge over the river.

Up the stairs, and left across the bridge. At the end you follow the road into Leatherwood Trail Head. Warm restrooms and wa-

ter here. At the kiosks you turn left and go under the bridge, following the Trace now along the river. This is a bit of a roller

coaster of a trail so take your time and be patient. At the end of the trail you come out on O & W Bridge. Cross the bridge, the

support vehicle will be there with some extra water. You now have a climb up the hill—the tallest climb on the Trace going

southbound. Past the Devils Den you have one last push to the top and you suddenly popout at a picnic table. This is the

campsite for Saturday night. Go a little further up the Trace and camp on the right in the woods.

On Sunday, you are up and out a first light but take your time. In less than 5 hours you will have completed the Trace but the

trail will still exact a cost in energy so save some. Lots of special things to see and experience. Keep your eyes on the blazes and

signs. See you at the finish.

Water: You should start with at least two liters of water. Water is plentiful all along the trail. Treat all water. There is wate r

at Leatherwood Ford restrooms.

Water Obstacles / other Obstacles: There are minimal water crossings.

5 lb. Drop: The 5 lb. drop is not in effect.

Maps: The south map set covers this section.

Good luck. Wishing each one of you “clear skies and mostly clear trails” for Section 11