Conoeing the Big South

Canoeing the Big South Fork

by Theresa Bickers

It was close to 8:00 AM Friday morning when we pulled in at the Alum Ford Boat ramp. There waiting was the Sheltowee Trace Outfitters' bus to take us on our adventure. When all had arrived, we headed for our put-in point called Yamacraw. At Yamacraw, we were issued a canoe, two paddles, life jackets, our instructions, and were told we would get our feet wet. We were all set. We launched our canoe and for the next two hours experienced fully the beauty of God's creations.

This was my first trip to this part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. My husband Danny and I usually camp and hike the Red River Gorge. However, this trip we decided to canoe the Big South Fork River and camp at Blue Heron Campground, located close to Cumberland Falls. The scenery was as spectacular as the Gorge, and on this particular weekend, was less populated.

The air temperature was cooler than the water temperature, so mist rose from the water in an eerie sort of way. Observing closely, you could see the mist form spiraling columns rising into the sky.

The red, yellow and gold of the leaves hinted to the arrival of autumn. Leaves falling from their long summer home to the water glistened like glitter in the morning sun, shaken loose by a hawk majestically perched in the treetop. As we paddled by, he took flight with confident grace.

Drifting by a large boulder, we were startled by a Great Blue Heron taking effortless flight right in front of us. I was so surprised I couldn't get my camera quick enough to capture the great bird on film.

Several times, we received a good scolding from six ducks for disturbing their morning swim. The reflections on the water were a mirror image of the boulder strewn and treeline shore.

The only sounds heard from the time we left Yamacraw were the bark of a squirrel and the songs of the birds. There was no road noise or people noise.

This five-mile stretch of the Big South Fork was an easy downstream trip. Even though the water level was at a near record low due to the drought, we only had to get out of the canoe three times to guide it through the ripples.

If you are tired of the rat-race of everyday life and are looking for peace, quiet and serenity, a trip to the Big South Fork is the ideal getaway. The folks at Sheltowee Trace Outfitters can provide you with it all.

Theresa and Danny Bickers are avid outdoor enthusiasts from Campbellsburg, KY. They enjoy camping, hiking, canoeing, biking and hunting. Their trip to the Big South Fork was a three hour (approximately 135 miles) trip from Louisville.