By Andrew Berry
On Sunday, September 3, 2017, Bernheim’s Forest Manager, Andrew Berry followed in the footsteps of noted naturalist and conservationist, John Muir to honor the 150th anniversary of his trek through the region. Follow along as Andrew takes us along with him.
Want to learn more? We have three blogs to provide some background and tell John Muir’s story in his own words. Read them here:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Today's the day. Follow along as we live tweet Forest Manager, Andrew Berry's hike following in John Muir's footsteps 150 years later.
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Started the trek across Bernheim this morning just before 7:00 on our newest tract, the 954 acre Big Level. #muirhike pic.twitter.com/cNzKBNsZwj
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
My goal is to travel Bernheim's 15,625 acres from north to south, crossing through some of the wildest land left in central KY pic.twitter.com/JT43kl8Nhz
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Late summer wildflowers in full bloom, weather is perfect. pic.twitter.com/7dbXiUXl6M
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Muir mentions the Kentucky oaks several times. He was right, here is a beautiful white oak located on our boundary line. #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/Mt8cYleCkZ
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Chestnut oak forest on a knob on Bernheim's 'north block' conserved in 1928 as part of IW Bernheim's 12,500 acre initial purchase #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/5jK9AOJMic
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(1/3) The Wilderness Road, which runs from Cumberland Gap to Falls of the Ohio. Few know it crosses through present day Bernheim #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/vxQNWsHNY0
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(2/3) following our Hike Bike Trail, along Long Lick Creek & Hwy 245. The old trace still evident in many places. So many walked this path.
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(3/3) Ancient animals like mastodons & buffalo, Native Americans and pioneers. Now protected at Bernheim for those that still walk the woods
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Crossing the Spicebush Flats, now into the middle block of Bernheim, approaching Elm Lick #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/BDnHGveATE
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Heading up Elm Lick Trail our 5 mile loop, after the creek Elm Lick, which is named for the mineral lick in its headwaters #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/LWkCotLxwo
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Just spotted this bumblebee on a Blazing star #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/LbO1vANLVi
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(1/3) Made it out of the Long Lick Valley, which flows into the Salt River. Headed into Wilson Creek Valley in the Rolling Fork watershed pic.twitter.com/kdUYErzoa7
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(2/3) Traveling down Overalls Creek. It is one of my favorites, completely within Bernheim #MuirHike
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
(3/3) from its origins near the Firetower, all the way down to Wilson Creek. #MuirHike
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Out of the Wilson Creek watershed. now into south block & headed into Beech Fork watershed. Cardinal flower on overalls Creek. #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/IAPbAWRBx8
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Overalls creek #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/WKYOrdgpYP
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Overalls wetland #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/OLTAO6xn7t
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
The barns on Bernheim's Bean property. #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/bs5o3AkpKU
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Upland oak forest along Indian Grave Ridge. #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/E1rkmHurxT
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
The gravel road is by far the hardest section of today's hike. Turning back into the woods for the last few miles headed south toward Hwy 62 pic.twitter.com/b0KB6VbqA8
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Greenbriars are thick climbing out of an unnamed branch of Lick Creek #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/vK6grXn4s6
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
A tributary of Lick Creek that flows into Beech fork#MuirHike pic.twitter.com/JsHdtJzXtI
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
On the south road for final few miles #MuirHike pic.twitter.com/LPCWtPE72V
— Bernheim Forest (@BernheimForest) September 3, 2017
Conservation and stewardship are at the core of what Bernheim does. We are able to keep our forest pristine because of help from many partners and supporters. Stewardship at Bernheim is supported by the Kentucky Office of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund, Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, and private donors. All of Bernheim’s efforts in conservation, education, and more are supported by our Board of Trustees, staff, and, of course, members like you.