Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve

Date of Trip: 05/05/2018
Start Time: 10:00 am Eastern Time
Location: Clark Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Shooting Star
Dodecatheon meadia

Preserve manager Clare Sipple will lead us through this outstanding riparian site, situated along bothsides of Lower Howard’s Creek where it flows into the Kentucky River. It is home to some unusual, protected plant populations and irreplaceable historical and archaeological features. Many species of wildflowers could be sighted on this field trip, but it is timed to catch the rare water stitchwort (Stellaria fontinalis) in bloom. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate! The terrain is steep and rocky, requiring sturdy footwear. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms are at the trailhead. Please note that Google directions may be erroneous.

Directions from Interstate 64: Take Exit 94, then KY 1958 to Boonesboro Road/KY 627; follow 627 south to Ford Road/KY 1924; turn left onto Ford Road, then the first right onto Athens-Boonesboro Road/KY 418. Follow 418 to Hall’s Restaurant. Continue 0.7 mile up the hill where you will see a stone wall between two metal gates with a sign that says Lower Howard’s Creek. Enter there and proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet.

Directions from Interstate 75: Take Exit 95, then east on KY 627 (Boonesborough Rd) to the Kentucky River and immediately turn right onto Ford Road/KY1924. Then take the first right onto Athens-Boonesboro Road/KY 418; follow 418 to Hall’s Restaurant. Continue 0.7 mile up the hill where you will see a stone wall between two metal gates with a sign that says Lower Howard’s Creek. Enter through the gates and proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet.

Directions from Lexington: Take Richmond Rd. to Jacobson Park and then after crossing over Interstate 75 continue straight on to the small community of Athens. There is a stop sign in Athens. There are no turns from Lexington until the second stop sign 7 miles past Athens. At the second stop sign, turn right then in exactly 0.2 mile you will see a stone wall on your left. The entrance to Lower Howard’s Creek is the gate between the two stone walls. Proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet. If you get to Hall’s Restaurant on the river, you have gone too far. Turn around and proceed 0.7 mile back up the hill and the entrance is then on the right.