Pilot Knob
Powell County Kentucky is home to some of the most scenic hiking trails in the state, if not the nation. This beautiful area is the transition point where eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian hill country gives way to the flatlands of the Bluegrass region. On June 7th 1769 this unique transitional terrain made for a historic moment for one of Kentucky’s most famous explorers.
Throughout the Spring and Summer of 1769 explorers Daniel Boone and John Finley had been scouting their way through Kentucky. On this fateful day in June they noticed an unusually high outcropping of rock which would make an excellent vantage point from which to survey the area. Following a rather strenuous hike they found themselves atop what is now known as Pilot Knob, where Mr. Boone was able to take his first grand glimpse of the Bluegrass region. According to his biographer John Filson, Boone is reported to have said “I had gained the summit of a commanding ridge, beheld the ample plains, the beatueous tracts below”. Boone would go on to explore much of the region he had beheld from this incredible viewpoint, naming many of the natural features such as the nearby Lulbegrud Creek.
Today the Pilot Knob is the centerpiece of a state nature preserve. It features 2 hiking trails, one of which takes you to that same breathtaking viewpoint where Boone once stood. Although it’s only a 2.4 mile hike, there is considerable elevation gain and the trail is rated as strenuous. At 730 feet the Knob offers a view of the Cumberland Plateau, the Knobs Region, and the Bluegrass Region. You can clearly see the nearby community of Trapp & Goff’s Corner, and supposedly on a clear day one can see the Lexington Financial Center from here (tallest building in Lexington), although I seriously doubt that claim.
If you’re a fan of history, or the outdoors, I highly recommend this hike. It’s right off of the Mountain Parkway, and does offer ample parking. Be warned though if you’re there during school hours, the parking lot is also the only viable turn-around for the local school buses, so parking is prohibited during certain times. The hike itself can be strenuous, especially in the humid Kentucky summer. Bring plenty of water, and be prepared for one of the finest views in the state.
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