State-Journal.com - Boone's first view inspires exploration

Photo By Paul GlasserDavid Peyton, left, and Tyler Gonnsen look over the edge at the summit of Pilot’s Knob an hour southeast of Frankfort.

It seems appropriate that my first hike in Kentucky took me to the same rocky outcrop where Daniel Boone first looked upon the Bluegrass in 1769 - Pilot's Knob.

I'll admit I feel somewhat ashamed that I've lived in Kentucky for three years but have never felt motivated to explore any of its natural beauty, such as Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge or Mammoth Cave. However, after suffering from cabin fever this winter, the slow approach of spring encouraged me to renew my interest in the outdoors. I was a Boy Scout and loved hiking and exploring nature as a youngster.

I also convinced several friends to accompany me on my debut and let my friend Jay MacKay pick our first trail - Pilot's Knob. His selection was excellent both aesthetically and metaphorically.

Located about an hour southeast of Frankfort in Clay City, Pilot's Knob is a 730-foot tall peak that overlooks the farmlands of Central Kentucky to the west and the wavy hills of Appalachia to the east. The trail is about 2.5 miles round-trip that's graded as very strenuous according to the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. The first half-mile left me slightly winded, and I'm glad I decided to go back to the gym and lose about 30 pounds in the last few months.

However, some of my friends were out of shape and struggled until the path leveled off. There's also a 1-mile trail to Millstone Quarry that's rated moderate and a 2-mile loop to Sage Point that's rated strenuous. But, our little party got a late start on Feb. 28 and we got back to the trailhead at dusk and didn't have time to try the other sections.

The 740-acre Pilot's Knob nature preserve is heavily wooded with blackjack oak and Virginia pine, so once spring arrives, there probably won't be much of a view except from the summit.

However, as you approach the top, there are several beautiful views of the Pennsylvania sandstone rock outcrop at the summit. The rocks are estimated to be 280 million years old, according to the commission.

Although the tough trees that survive on the rocky slops of Pilot's Knob blocked our view of the beautiful rolling green hills, they also served as a windbreaker. It was still pretty chilly that afternoon, about 40 degrees, and when we neared the summit, there was even a little snow on the ground!

Reaching the summit was incredibly rewarding, although our sense of enjoyment was somewhat short lived as the howling, freezing winds and the setting sun drove us back down the trail. I felt a great sense of satisfaction and peace as I sat on the sandstone summit, surveyed the countryside and chewed on a granola bar.

However, Jay interrupted my inner journey by announcing he updated his Twitter microblog from the summit on his cell phone.

For those who are fearless with regards to heights, there are several great ledges that give an excellent overview of the surrounding area. However, they left some of my friends feeling very exposed and uncomfortable as they tentatively peered over the edge and looked down 700 feet to valley floor.

In addition to the strenuous trail, the nature preserves commission also reports that venomous snakes are also a rare danger " however, as it was cold, we didn't spot any.

There's a small gravel parking lot with enough room for seven to eight cars or a couple buses but there aren't any other facilities, so be prepared.

Overall, Pilot's Knob was a great hike and has rekindled my desire to absorb more of Kentucky's natural beauty this spring.