Near Jeffreys Cliffs Lower Trails
Morgans Cave
Near Jeffreys Cliffs Lower Trails
Tobacco Cave
Near Jeffreys Cliffs Lower Trails
Sandstone cliffs

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Hike Route

Jeffreys Cliffs Lower Trails

5.0 (2 Ratings)
Towering sandstone cliffs and large rock shelters packed into a short hike.
1.8
mi
Distance
395
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
CaveFall ColorsGeologically SignificantHistoricalViews
Access Issues
Only open Friday-Sunday from sunrise to sunset

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.78mi
Distance
395ft
Elevation Gain
395ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
645ft
High Point
401ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
From the parking lot at 715 Willamette Rd, Hawesville, KY 42348, the dirt trail starts a steady climb up with a short section that gets a tad steep before you get to the first fork. Hold right to do an out-and-back visit to Morgans Cave, an enormous rock shelter into the sandstone cliffs. Ignore the spike in the trail profile that suggests you may have suddenly climbed the cliff because you're really checking it out from the underside. Continue back the way you came to the fork, then turn right to wrap around "Troop 36 Point". Take the right-hand turn to Tobacco Cave, and hug the wall of the cliff until you reach the rock shelter with the old tobacco drying structure still standing. (Stay off to protect this historical artifact!) Continue around the end of the valley and follow the cliff wall around the opposite side to rejoin the connector trail near Mossy Gap. If you want to check out the upper trails, you'll need to climb Mossy Gap to the ridgeline via the new steps and rope line. To complete the Lower Trail Loop, continue on past the Mossy Gap split hanging left, and pass through the field on the way out to the roadway and then follow that back to the parking lot.
History & Background
Morgan's cave was used as a hide-out by Confederate forces during the Civil War.

Route Conditions

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No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Chris W