Two and a half centuries ago, Daniel Boone and over thirty fellow pioneers carved a route through dense Appalachian wilderness, forging a trail that helped shape Kentucky’s identity and paved the way for America’s westward expansion. This week, a group of modern-day hikers is retracing that same route to commemorate the legacy of Boone’s journey as part of the “America 250 Boone’s Trace Hike.”
The original trail, now known as Boone Trace, began near Kingsport, Tennessee. Boone and his team followed paths originally formed by buffalo herds, navigating through Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro. The journey ultimately culminated in the founding of Fort Boonesborough—Kentucky’s second established settlement. While Boone’s physical trail ended there, the momentum it sparked helped lead to Kentucky’s eventual statehood and opened much of the western United States for future exploration. Boone Trace would go on to host hundreds of thousands of settlers traveling westward.
On Wednesday, participants in the commemorative hike reached Pleasant View House at Battlefield Park in Richmond, where a special presentation was held. The hike serves as a symbolic relay, in which participants pass along a ceremonial axe—replicating the ones used by Boone and his men to clear the trail. At each stop, a new hiker receives the axe to carry it forward on the historic route.
John Fox, hike organizer and President of Friends of Boone Trace, emphasized the significance of Boone’s journey, noting its shared historical importance with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in forming the foundation of the nation.
The “America 250 Boone’s Trace Hike” continues Thursday with a stop at Gibson Bay, culminating Saturday at Fort Boonesborough. The final leg will include an arrival ceremony to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Kentucky’s settlement—a moment to reflect on the enduring impact of Daniel Boone’s trailblazing legacy.
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