How Does A Fat Girl End Up in the Woods?

How does a fat girl end up in the woods? First of all, it helps is said fat girl (me) loves to take pictures. Secondly, it helps if said girl loves waterfalls and natural arches. Unfortunately, both are usually only found...yup! In. The. Woods!

This is me, Becky Neeley! 

My hiking partner and reluctant photo subject is my husband Tony. Hey! I am taking the pics, so someone has to be in them, right?

While in the woods, we adhere to this philosophy and hope that you will, too:

Friends and co-workers are always asking for suggestions on where to hike. I hope this blog will give you all the info that you need. We are not die-hard hikers! Nor do we aspire to be the the next Man Vs. Wild contestants. We simply enjoy a day hike with a beautiful destination in mind.


We had hiked all the local places of interest, The Pinnacles (in our hometown of Berea, KY) and Natural Bridge. As I began researching new places to hike, I found out more and more about the state I had called home for nearly 40 years! Kentucky has more natural arches (like the one found at Natural Bridge State Park) than any other state east of the Mississippi River! In fact, only Utah and Arizona have more arches...period! Who knew?!

Let's start at the very beginning. Our first excursion into the wilderness was to a waterfall near the iconic Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Kentucky. The most beautiful waterfall with the worst name is located about 4 miles from Cumberland Falls! I discovered Dog Slaugher Falls in a book a co-worker had loaned me. I had made a copy of the destination, but failed to get the directions (this is totally something I would do!). Eventually, I found my own copy of the book, thank goodness! :)

The book, Hiking Kentucky by Michael H. Brown has been my Bible of Hiking! As I found new places to hike, I would search the internet for more details or better directions. In this search, I would find a new waterfall or arch I hadn't found in the book. And so it began!

We started the hike to Dog Slaughter Falls with internet directions. There are two trailheads. One is located at Cumberland Falls State Park. The other is located of a FR (forest road). A bridge on this gravel road was under construction, so we had to turn the car around and begin our hike at CF. In Hiking Kentucky, Brown says the total distance is 7.2 miles, round trip. Take Moon Bow Tail as it follows the Cumberland River for the majority of the hike. 

There are many sites to see along the trail, smaller "waterfalls" in the wet season. My favorite spot was where there trail goes under some fallen rocks.

Towards the end, the trail will turn to the west and you will cross Dog Slaughter Creek. Take Dog Slaughter Tail (#414) for about 0.2 miles to the base of Dog Slaughter Falls.

I will give a rating system as to how difficult I feel the hike is. That is, my opinion. You may or may not agree. There are five of us in our family, Tony and myself as well as our 3 children. The kids? They. Do. Not. Hike! Soooo, I will rate the hike as to how many Neeleys I think could survive the trek! 5 Neeleys = easy peasy! 2 Neeley's? Better leave the kiddos at home! :)
This hike wasn't exceptionally difficult, but it was long. We started later in the afternoon in the fall, so we were under time constraints to get out before dark. Still, I would rate this hike 3 Neeleys.

I hope that this has inspired you to dig out your sneakers and your camera and hit the trails. I look forward to adding more destinations in the future!

Happy Hiking!
Becky! :)