Solomon J Parker: Lockegee

Today's group of pictures were taken at Lockegee, one of Rowan County's hidden treasures. To locals and kids that attend Morehead State University, Lockegee is a legendary place that you have to see when you are in the Rowan County area. Lockegee is a beautiful lookout of the Daniel Boone Forest located along Clack Mountain. When I first moved to Morehead, people told me about Lockegee. The stories of not only how pretty it is, but also how dangerous it is as well. On one of the first nice days of the early spring season, my supervisor took me up there to view the lookout. Once you are in Morehead, you take Highway 519 toward West Liberty (Morgan County) and turn right onto Highway 1274. You could about a mile and turn right onto a gravel road that veers behind you. You will drive about 2 miles (it seems like forever) on this gravel road (veer to the left at the fork) and you will see the gravel road widen to accommodate cars that park on the edge (on a nice day you will see cars parked). From here, you will see a worn path on your left. This path will take you near the rock. From here, you there about three ways that I know how to go up the rock (all involve climbing). You will see the paths that people have taken leading up to each place that you can climb. Once you get on top of the rock, you will see a breathtaking view. The best times to go are Spring and Fall so that you view the colors of the trees in the valley. I would encourage you to take a lunch and a towel while enjoying this site....trust me, there is very little that is like Lockegee. I heard that it is awesome to watch the sunsets while on the rock. Some people will camp on the nearby grounds or even on the rock.

Now, Lockegee is very dangerous. It is rumored that once a year that someone falls off the side of the rock. There are some parts of the rock that are slick and a slip may mean an estimated 40 to 50 ft drop (and I probably am underestimating those figures) into trees. Some of these falls may involve alcohol others may be from jumping from the main rock to little rocks on the site. So, I would be careful while getting up, on, and down the rock.

Another interesting thing about Lockegee is the writings done by visitors in the past. Some are pretty interesting and add to the aura that is Lockegee. You see in the first picture how it added to the fall colors. In the last picture, some of the message are pretty comical others borderline history / vandalism (just depends if you are a nature person).

Trust me, you will always remember the beauty that is Lockegee!!!