Whitney Lake ~ Artist: Dawn Breaks At Big South Fork River

Dawn Breaks At Big South Fork River, a photo by Whitney Lake on Flickr.

I camped out here one night on a road trip through Kentucky. The view is from the mining bridge

of the Blue Heron Coal Mine, a partially restored coal mining town within the confines of

Big South Fork River National Recreation Area. It's a bit remote, and although the government built

a generous infrastructure there to support tourism, it is pretty much deserted most of the time...that is

except for the hundred or so black bears that roam the park. Be advised....lol.

The Blue Heron mine is still there as is the massive 'Tipple' ( structure for filling RR cars with coal and one of the only ones still existing )
which in turn is served by the impressive copper painted iron bridge spanning the river.

A nice collection of RR cars is also on display.

Unfortunately, the town itself is largely gone, but historic photos of it can be seen at the NPS website:

Blue Heron Mine Slideshow

There is a service that runs a tour through the mining camp, however it is easy enough to navigate oneself
and there are many informational displays about as well as various trails throughout.

View my photo of the restored tipple bridge here:

Blue Heron Tipple Bridge

See more of my Photographs from my Flickr Photostream at:

Whitney Lake Photostream on Flickr

Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed or written permission by Whitney Lake.