Hiking at Jefferson Memorial Forest

We ended up on the Blue Trail in the Paul Yost section of the park. The Blue Trail is described as moderate but it shares a good deal of terrain with the strenuous Mitch McConnell Yellow trail and includes ascending and descending steep hills on a narrow path. I personally would label it “moderate with lots of strenuous tendencies.” If you’re looking for a nice, easy stroll in the woods stick with the Easy trails but if you’re looking for something a bit more intense I can’t recommend the Blue Trail highly enough. My little dog approves of the trail as well and totally recommends that you take your dog to Jefferson Memorial Forest since leashed dogs are allowed on all the trails and dogs love hiking.

We had such a good time hiking at Jefferson Memorial Forest we’re planning to go again next weekend, weather permitting. We’re also planning to hit some of the very cool special events that are held there on a regular basis such as Night Hikes, Outdoor Skills Classes, Howl at the Moon (night hiking with your dog) and maybe even the incredible sounding Valentine’s Day Romantic Retreat.

I’ve mentioned our hiking excursion to Jefferson Memorial Forest to several friends and I’m saddened that many (dare I say most) have said things like “I think I’ve heard of that place, maybe, where is it exactly?” and not a single person I spoke with has been there. In a city full of fantastic parks Jefferson Memorial Forest is a treasure. I’m impressed as can be that within 25 minutes of downtown Louisville you can be hiking deep into an incredibly beautiful forest and enjoying Kentucky’s natural beauty in all its glory.

While I’m crushing on Jefferson Memorial Forest let me also say how impressed and pleased I was to not encounter a speck of litter on the trail or anywhere else in the park while I was there. Yay for visitors not littering and thank you to the Metro Parks staff for doing a great job maintaining the park.

The moral of this story is if you’ve got even a modicum of interest in the outdoors, hiking, and enjoying nature get thee to Jefferson Memorial Forest. I can’t wait to see how beautiful that place is in Spring and particularly in Fall. Springtime in Paris is amazing but if you love nature and foliage you can’t beat October in Kentucky.

Now that I’ve encouraged you to go hiking and exploring let me encourage you to do those things safely. Hiking at Jefferson Memorial Forest is a wonderful thing to do but remember you are out in the middle of nowhere. We encountered park employees at the welcome center but didn’t encounter another soul on the actual trail for well over an hour.

I’m not a hiking or outdoor expert but these are things I do that just make sense in terms of making sure I make it safely home from any and all hiking trips.

1. Don’t go hiking alone. If you want to walk the paved trail at Joe Creason Park by yourself more power to you. The moderate and strenuous trails at Jefferson Memorial Forest are not places to go by yourself.

2. Let people know when and where you’re going and what time you plan to return. Maybe someone like your Grandma who’ll be calling the National Guard if you haven’t checked in at the appointed time.
Stop by the welcome center before hitting the trails. You can pick up maps and let the staff know which trail you plan to be on.
 
3. Carry water, snacks and a first aid kit and a charged cell phone with you. Remember when I said Jefferson Memorial Forest was less than 25 miles from Louisville? There’s a serious advantage to being so close to urban civilization: I totally could get cell coverage from the two different spots on the trail that I checked (just for informational purposes I swear).

4. If you’re going on a moderate or strenuous trail get a walking stick. I know that sounds lame but I bet you’ll find it to be useful.

Go forth, hike and have a really good time.

General Directions to Jefferson Memorial Forest (please call/map/whatever to verify so you don't get lost)

1. From I-65 take I-265 West (Gene Snyder Freeway).
2. Take the New Cut Road exit and turn left (south).
3. Travel approximately 1.2 miles. At the yellow flashing light, turn right onto Mitchell Hill Rd.
4. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn left into the Welcome Center parking lot (11311 Mitchell Hill Rd.). The Welcome Center is a white, two-story building with a red roof.
   

Image courtesy of Metro Parks