The Little Egypt Heritage Trail
An alternative vision for a remarkable forest
Click here to view more maps of the area.
Learn more about the Crooked Creek Project here.
Little Egypt is a 723 acre tract of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. This area offers a unique window into the natural and cultural heritage of Rockcastle county, and could be a valuable educational and recreational resource to Rockcastle and surrounding counties. The area was homesteaded by the McGuire family prior to its sale in the 1930s to the federal government, where it became part of the Cumberland and then Daniel Boone National Forest.
The area consists primarily of sandstone ridges and cliffline. In several locations waterfalls drop into collapsed cave systems in the underlying limestone karst and emerge further down the valley, while deep caves offer refuge to endangered Rafinesque’s Big-eared bats.
Click here to view more maps of the area.
Learn more about the Crooked Creek Project here.
Little Egypt is a 723 acre tract of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. This area offers a unique window into the natural and cultural heritage of Rockcastle county, and could be a valuable educational and recreational resource to Rockcastle and surrounding counties. The area was homesteaded by the McGuire family prior to its sale in the 1930s to the federal government, where it became part of the Cumberland and then Daniel Boone National Forest.
The area consists primarily of sandstone ridges and cliffline. In several locations waterfalls drop into collapsed cave systems in the underlying limestone karst and emerge further down the valley, while deep caves offer refuge to endangered Rafinesque’s Big-eared bats.
Most of the forest is over 100 years old, with some individual old growth trees that are over 250 years in age.
Several natural communities are represented here, ranging from dry, scrubby sandstone environments dominated by laurels and pines, to rich cove communities with hemlock and yellow birch.
Much of the area is dominated by large chestnut oaks, white oaks, hickories, and tulip poplars. Several shortleaf pines over 150 years survived the southern pine beetle. with one over 300 years old - the third oldest documented tree of its species.
Little Egypt is currently threatened by a timber sale proposed by the US Forest Service as part of the Crooked Creek Vegetation Management Project. As an alternative to logging the area, we are proposing that the Forest Service develop a hiking and equestrian trail system that promotes the cultural and natural history of Rockcastle County.
The trail would be sited to pass old homesteads, old growth trees, and interesting natural features and natural communities. Placards along the trail would educate trail users about the history and ecology of the landscape. We estimate that a system of interconnecting trails totaling about 7 miles is possible.
It is important to demonstrate public support for this alternative vision for the Little Egypt area before a decision is made by the Forest Service to log the most impressive and scenic portions of this area.
It is within the authority of the Forest Service to develop this special place as an outdoor resource that will be used and appreciated by the public for many, many years. We hope that we can count you as a supporter.
It is important to demonstrate public support for this alternative vision for the Little Egypt area before a decision is made by the Forest Service to log the most impressive and scenic portions of this area.
It is within the authority of the Forest Service to develop this special place as an outdoor resource that will be used and appreciated by the public for many, many years. We hope that we can count you as a supporter.
