Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail (Blog Hike #87)

Trail: Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail
Hike Location: Tower Park

Geographic Location: south side of Ft. Thomas, KY (39.06698, -84.44263)

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: April 2001, October 2015

Overview: A moderate course through second growth forest highlighted by the remnants of Fort Thomas and some large, old trees.
Park Information: https://ftthomas.org/recreation-2/parkssheltersfields/tower-park/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717464
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: In terms of navigability, the narrow, winding, numerous streets of Fort Thomas rank among the most confusing in greater Cincinnati.  In addition, Tower Park is small and easily missed, so follow these directions very carefully.  Take I-471 to US 27/Alexandria Pike (exit 2).  Exit and go south on US 27.  Drive US 27 south 0.8 miles to Grandview Ave. and turn left on Grandview Ave.  Drive Grandview Ave. 0.2 miles to South Fort Thomas Ave. and turn left on S. Ft. Thomas Ave.  Drive S. Ft. Thomas Ave. 0.2 miles to River Rd. and turn right on River Road.  After 250 feet on River Road, turn left on a narrow, unmarked street beside a sign for a VA Nursing Home facility, then immediately bear right.  The official name for this street is Carmel Manor Drive.  Bear right at the army reserve building, and look for the small gravel parallel parking area beside the trailhead on the right in another 500 feet.  If this parking area is full, more parking is available at the soccer field you drove past downhill from the army reserve building.

The hike: Tower Park is one of those small, out-of-the-way places familiar to only those in the very nearby community.  The land is owned by Carmel Manor Nursing Home, located next door to the trailhead.  The nursing home parking lot is private property, and they ask that you do not use it for visiting this preserve.  The Fort Thomas Tree Commission has leased the area for the enjoyment of the public. 

            The land is of interest for several reasons.  First, contained within the boundaries of the park are some of the largest and oldest trees in the state of Kentucky.  Fifteen of these trees have been identified with large numbers and can be seen from this trail.  Also, the land contains the remnants of the stone military fort that gave Fort Thomas its name.  The fort too can be viewed along the single well-designed 1 mile loop trail that provides access to the forest within the park.

Trailhead: Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail

           The dirt trail enters the woods immediately and descends slightly to join a trail coming in from the left.  This spur trail provides access to the preserve from the nursing home.  Stay right and in 50 yards intersect another trail leaving at a sharp angle to the right.  The trail straight ahead and the one going right form the two arms of our loop trail.  I suggest continuing straight and hiking the loop clockwise, as this makes the uphill climb coming back a bit less steep.

            The trail soon passes the first of the 15 featured trees, this one a coffeetree on the left.  This tree is not particularly large, but it is noteworthy because the coffeetree is the official state tree of Kentucky.  Continue ahead for another 75 yards to a side trail that goes off to the right beside a sign that says “ruins.”  As the sign suggests, this short trail leads to some piles of stones, the remnants of Fort Thomas.  Overlooking the Ohio River, the fort was built for the protection of settlers newly-arrived from across the Appalachians.  As you stand peacefully atop these stones, imagine the rigor and hardships the new settlers must have faced attempting to defend themselves against Indian attacks and nature’s attacks in the form of disease, starvation, and cold, hot, and violent weather.

Fort Thomas remnants

            Back on the main trail, pass tree numbers two, three, and four (all oaks) as you dip through a shallow ravine.  When I walked this trail one April evening, the forest floor was covered with violets, phlox, solomon’s seal, and mayapple.  Where the trail appears to fork, stay right and begin a steep descent with the aid of some wooden steps and wide switchbacks.  Be sure not to miss tree #6, a huge sycamore on the right side of the trail.  This is the largest tree in the park.

Sign marking a landmark tree

            At the base of the hill, the trail turns sharply right and begins following an even elevation with the Ohio River visible through some gaps in the trees on the left and the steep hillside on the right.  Unfortunately, SR 8 can be heard to the left as well.  Cross a wooden bridge over a creekbed featuring large rocks and begin the long, moderate climb back to the trailhead.  For most of the climb the grade is not particularly steep, as the trail stays within the ravines of a pair of drainage channels.  A couple of windfalls make the hiking a bit more difficult. 

Creekside hiking

            Along the way you will pass trees #9-15, all large oaks.  At the top of the hill, the trail rejoins the outward-portion to close the loop.  Turn left at each of the trail intersections to arrive back at the trailhead.  Remember that your car is located about 0.1 miles to the left in the athletic field parking lot.