Berea College Forest: Indian Fort Mountain (Blog Hike #108)

Trail: Indian Fort Mountain Trail

Hike Location: Berea College Forest

Geographic Location: east of Berea, KY (37.55432, -84.24086)

Length: 5.8 miles

Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)

Dates Hiked: September 2001, January 2015

Overview: A steep climb to Indian Fort Mountain, the summit of which yields broad views the entire year of the surrounding hills and the Bluegrass to the west.

Forest Information: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/services/the-forest/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717675
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: In central Kentucky, take I-75 south to SR 21 (exit 76).  Exit and go east on SR 21.  Proceed an additional 3.1 miles past the town of Berea to the Indian Fort Amphitheater on the left.  Park in the large gravel parking lot for the amphitheater.  The trail starts at the entrance to the amphitheater.

The hike: Rising 400 feet above the Bluegrass just to the west, Indian Fort Mountain has been a landmark for centuries.  The site was considered sacred by the Hopewell Indians, who inhabited this area between 100 BC and 400 AD.  Later, as white settlers began pouring into the Bluegrass, the mountain was logged as timber was required for construction of cabins and structures settlers needed for survival.

            Since that time, the land has come under the management of nearby Berea College, creating a preserve of steep, rocky land called Berea College Forest.  The forest is currently managed for preservation and recreation.  The adjacent wooden amphitheater is also used by the college to stage theatrical productions. 

The preserve contains an extensive network of trails, all of which are accessed by a single trail that climbs the mountain.  Principle features are West Pinnacle, East Pinnacle, and in between, Indian Fort Mountain with its Eagles Nest and Buzzard Roost Overlooks.  This route starts by climbing to Indian Fort Mountain, then takes you to an overlook of West Pinnacle, then to the top of East Pinnacle, and finally to the final two overlooks on the northern part of Indian Fort Mountain.

Trailhead beside amphitheater

            Begin by picking up the blacktop path leaving the back of the parking lot.  The blacktop passes through a picnic area before passing the amphitheater on the right, where the path turns to sand and gravel.  Pass a welcome sign and immediately begin climbing rather steeply through mature oak/maple forest with a ravine on the left, occasionally using a switchback to gain elevation.  After 0.5 miles of climbing, the trail to East Pinnacle exits to the right.  Angle left here and begin treading on a wide dirt trail at a constant elevation around the hillside.

            Hopefully you have caught your breath on this 0.1 mile of level hiking, as the trail soon forks again with the trail to West Pinnacle exiting to the left.  Angle right here to continue the climb toward Indian Fort Mountain.  Climbing more steeply, tread over some bare sandstone rock on the final ascent to the mountain.
            0.5 miles from the West Pinnacle turnoff, cross the ridgetop trail, signaling that you have reached the summit of Indian Fort Mountain.  Continue straight on the Indian Fort Loop to begin reaping the rewards of your climb, the first of which is an overlook of Devil’s Kitchen, a small forested area surrounded on three sides by vertical cliffs.  This would be a particularly nice vantage point in the fall when leaves are changing color.

Devil's Kitchen

            After soaking in this view, angle to the left and pass above what appears to be a large rock shelter. Actually, a careful observer will notice a hole in the rock you are treading on, through which the floor of the rock shelter can be viewed.  Thus, you are actually walking across a rock arch, at least for a second or two. 

            The next overlook, called Indian Fort Lookout, points toward the northwest, where fields, pastures, and low hills in the Bluegrass can be viewed for miles to the north and west.  Continue around the loop, and when it connects with the ridgetop trail, turn right and soon arrive at another rocky overlook.  This one provides more views of the Bluegrass to the west in addition to the valley you started in some 400 feet below on the left and West Pinnacle straight ahead.

Indian Fort Lookout

            Reverse course at this point and follow the ridgetop trail east past the entry to an old sign at a trail intersection containing a trail map carved into the wood.  A left turn will take us to Eagles Nest and Buzzard Roost, but for now continue straight, heading for East Pinnacle.  The trail descends, first gradually then more steeply, to cross a low saddle where the trail from the entry trail enters from the right.  The climb to East Pinnacle is equally steep, but well rewarded.  The knobs of the Cumberland escarpment unfold directly in front of you, and Eagles Nest overlook can be seen to the left.

            Retrace your steps 0.8 miles back across the saddle to the sign and angle right, heading for Eagles Nest.  Following a narrow spine of Indian Fort Mountain, the trail heads north and in 0.3 miles reaches the turnoff for Eagles Nest, which goes right.  Turn right here and dip through a shallow ravine containing a small seasonal stream.  At the next intersection, turn right again and follow a narrow ridge covered with Virginia pines south to arrive at Eagles Nest overlook.  Hawks were circling the valley below as I sat here admiring the mountains ahead and to the left as well as East Pinnacle to the right.

            Retrace your steps to the last intersection and angle right, heading for Buzzard’s Roost.  A mostly level course will lead you to Buzzard’s Roost overlook in only 0.3 miles, which provides more nice views to the east.  This represents the furthest most point on this hike.

Overlook, looking south

            Begin a complicated sequence of retracing by heading south to the Eagles Nest turnoff, then turning right and proceeding through the saddle to Indian Fort Mountain proper.  Turn left and retrace your steps to the old wooden sign, where a right turn will return you the to entry trail.  Turn left and begin the 1.1 mile descent back to the amphitheater parking lot, thus completing the hike.