John Muir Trail - KY/Tennessee

I'm interested in visiting the (Not the big CA) version, John Muir Trail that borders KY and Tennessee. I've done various (Bing, Google, etc..) searches, and come up with different versions. First I read it was one long 60 mile trail, one says 150 miles of different connecting trails, another says something else.

If my knees can take it, I'd love to try it late next fall, but can't seem to find much info on it. Has anyone here been there? Can you fill me in, or guide me to a reliable website that better describes it? One link is here

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks ahead,

J.

Another trail to look at is the Cumberland Trail (http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/) which is in the same area; I've hiked the 25 miles in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and enjoyed it a lot. Not the easiest hiking, but pretty.

I would guess it'd be great. I remember visiting (the KY) side of the Cumberland Gap, as a kid, with my parents. I think it's pretty hilly down there, my father was origionally from the far south east part of KY, and as you travel south those hills get bigger. Probably be a challenge, alright.

The one reason I wanted to do the John Muir was that on one map it runs parallel with a river, plenty of water, and plent of fish, when I get tired of rehydrated food.

Thanks Glenn, eithter way, I'll need to do a lot of shorter trips next year, to try to get back in shape to do 8hr leg's of whatever trail I choose.

J.

I've hiked part of the John Muir trail. According to a book I have, Hiking the Big South Fork, it is 50 miles, but I think that only includes the northern part. There is a gap in the trail and another section farther south. With all the trails in Big South Fork and the Sheltowee Trace going through the area, you could design a much longer hike.

The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map of Big South Fork has all the trails on it but doesn't have mileage. The book has mileage, but only for each hike described in the book, so you have to work at it to get mileage for your own hike if you don't stick to exactly what's in the book.

It's a nice area. I definitely recommend it. The rangers we talked to there had hiked some of the trails, but not always recently, so they may or may not be helpful in planning your trip.

I think you're talking about exactly the trail I was looking for. I thought it read 60 miles, but It may be 50 miles. Did the section (50) mile that you did, pretty much follow the river between KY and TN?

Thanks,

J.

I went into more detail in the PM, but the Sheltowee Trace follows the river for about 11 miles in Kentucky, and the John Muir Trail follows the river for about 24 miles in Tennessee. In between they both veer west and meet away from the river, but there are other trails you could use to connect them that stay closer to the river.

Thanks, Slowfoot, I think I have it now. One website shows them as two distinctively different names, and one "runs" them together, and refers to the whole thing as the John Muir Trail.
I'll get that map, like you mentioned, but I think you've cleared it all up for me now, and it makes sense. I'd definetly like to stay as close to the river as feasible. (Fish).

Thanks again,

J.