Volunteers needed to re-route Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

Volunteers also needed for Google Trekker program

MOREHEAD, Ky. (Aug. 6, 2014) — The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is seeking volunteers for two projects that will help raise awareness about the longest trail in Kentucky.

The first project involves a reroute of the trail that will take it through Morehead. This reroute was a major objective of Morehead’s Trail Town Task Force. The second project is the selection of the Sheltowee Trace to be included in the Google Trekker program. The Sheltowee Trace Association, the nonprofit organization that supports the trail, is overseeing both projects.

The two efforts will “enhance the experience of the Sheltowee Trace,” said Sheltowee Trace Association Executive Director Steve Barbour.

The Morehead reroute will move the Sheltowee Trace from its existing path on Bluestone Road, over to a route past Eagle Lake on Morehead State University’s campus. It will then travel through Morehead along Main Street, making an array of goods and services readily available to trail users. Morehead received its Kentucky Trail Town certification last month.

The Kentucky Trail Town Program is designed to help connect communities to trail systems and help develop them as tourist destinations. It will guide travelers to trails, food, lodging, campgrounds, museums, entertainment and other services. The designation will help communities improve their tourism economy, add more jobs and create more tourism opportunities for the entire state.

The reroute requires construction of a new, 0.7-mile trail. Volunteers are needed to complete this project by the end of October. The Sheltowee Trace Association has scheduled two work days per month, one weekday and one weekend day, through October.

This reroute and trail construction make up the first part of a larger effort by the Sheltowee Trace Association to move portions of the Sheltowee Trace off paved roadways and back into the woods of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Barbour said.

The Google Trekker program, which brings Web users 360-degree views of their favorite trails and natural areas, will be completed by teams of two hikers, in 10-mile increments. Volunteer hikers will need to be able to carry the 40-pound piece of equipment on their back. The other team member will carry supplies and rotate the equipment. Volunteers need to be able to hike on short notice, and preferably on weekdays.

Places like Natural Bridge, the Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls will be featured, with complete 360-degree views.

Of particular need are volunteers to hike the Google Trekker equipment in Laurel, Whitley and McCreary counties.