Posted 2009-02-25 10:09 AM (#100124) Subject: Mammoth Cave, KY...help needed
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
There have been a few threads about planning spring trips and Mammoth Cave was mentioned. I just wanted to let everyone know that most of the trails are still closed due to damage from the ice storm. Hubby checked the website and the only trail open at this time is Collie Ridge, which is the road bed that connects to the other 'back country' trails.
The website also listed several volunteer work days (I failed to write down the dates) if anyone would be available to help clear the trails. Unfortunately, they are all Saturdays and hubby and I work Saturdays.
MC is a GREAT place to ride. I hope some of y'all can get out there and lend a hand.
Picnic tables at Maple Springs Group Camp have been destroyed by the ice storm.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Crews have made significant progress in clearing a number of park areas. Visitor Center area trails, the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail, and all southside trails with the exception of Sand Cave Trail, have reopened, along with the Mammoth Cave Campground, Houchins Ferry Campground, Dennison Ferry Day-Use Area, and the Visitor Center Picnic Area. Please note that the Heritage Trail remains partially closed for non-storm-related construction.
No backcountry trails or campsites are open, although work is progressing on White Oak Trail. Maple Springs Group Camp remains closed until further notice.
The Mammoth Cave Visitor Center and the Mammoth Cave Hotel have returned to normal operations. The cave tour Winter Schedule now includes the Broadway, Mammoth Passage, Frozen Niagara, and New Entrance tours. The Grand Avenue, Snowball, and Wild Cave tours, and Introduction to Caving, are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Guided surface hikes have resumed on normal schedule.
Most roads have been cleared, leaving the Mammoth Cave Parkway, Cave City Road, Brownsville Road (Hwy 70), Cedar Sink Road (Hwy 422), Green River Ferry Road, Park Ridge Road, Dennison Ferry Road, and Little Jordan/Ugly Creek Road open for public traffic.
Work remains to be done on Houchins Ferry Road North, Flint Ridge Road, Great Onyx Road, Crystal Cave Road, and Joppa Ridge Road. Saw crews continue the clearing as quickly as safely possible.
“We want the public to know that the safety of our visitors and our park staff is our foremost concern in recovery from this storm,” said Superintendent Patrick Reed, who added, "Cleanup from this incident is going to be long-term. We will soon be calling on park users and friends to help out as volunteers, especially on the backcountry trails."
Several of the larger cemeteries in the park have been cleared of debris and are open; these include Joppa Church, Little Hope, Little Jordan, Locust Grove, Poplar Springs, Wilkins, and the Old Guides Cemetery. Crews continue work on other park cemeteries.
Anyone interested in volunteering in the park may contact Ranger Eddie Wells, the park’s Volunteer-In-Parks coordinator, by email or by phone: 270.758.2143.
Mammoth Cave, KY...help needed
) if anyone would be available to help clear the trails. Unfortunately, they are all Saturdays and hubby and I work Saturdays.
