This nature trail began in 1992 when Sierra Club member Barth Johnson blazed a riverside path in Falmouth to give local teachers an outdoor education opportunity. The 1997 Licking flood washed out the trail. Many river-side properties were condemned, acquired by the county and turned into a park. Barth has been extending and maintaining the South Fork Nature Trail ever since, now about 1.3 miles long, extending from Southern Elementary School northeast to the South Fork Dam. This is an easy nature walk along the river with very little elevation change, crossing several feeder streams and staying mostly in the shade of trees. Expect to walk the trail both ways, over 2.5 miles. As we walk, Barth will pause often to tell us about the 1997 flood, the trail’s future and the natural features we pass on our hike.

The trail is in Pendleton County Athletic Park in the city of Falmouth. There are no restrooms along the trail, but there are porta-potties in the adjacent park. For more info about the park, go to https://pendletonathleticpark.com/hiking/

RSVP by 5pm Friday January 29 by phoning or emailing the leader with your name, email address and a last-minute phone #. Or RSVP at Northern KY Sierra Club's Meetup.  Expect notification by 8am Saturday if event gets cancelled.

Wear shoes with grippy soles since the dirt trail might be wet, muddy or slippery. Bring your own liquid and snacks. Dogs are allowed on-leash only.

Children are welcome but a parent or legal guardian must accompany and sign the waiver for minors. All adult participants must sign that they read and agree to Sierra Club’s liability waiver and acknowledgement of self-risk – please read in advance:

https://www.sierraclub.org/kentucky/bluegrass/outings

Park in the lot next to Southern Elementary School, 320 Fairgrounds Rd, Falmouth KY 41040 . From US-27, turn west at a caution light onto Woodson St. Turn left onto Fairgrounds Rd when you see tennis courts on the right. Continue to the school and park on the school's right (west) side. The trailhead is just beyond the south edge of the lot.

Level: Easy

Cost: None

Signup Instructions: RSVP by phone, email or Northern Kentucky Sierra Club's MeetUp by 5pm Fri Jan 29: https://www.meetup.com/northern-kentucky-sierra-club/events/316089576/