Backpacking trip to some of the best the Red River Gorge has to offer.
- August 21, 2010 · 9:00 AM
Distance - 16 miles Pace - Moderate Terrain - Advanced Equipment - Overnight Backpacking Equipment Dogs & Children - Due to the 3rd class scrambling and proximity to cliff lines I'd rather not have dogs and children. This is a Red River Gorge classic hike! On this hike we will see Indian Staircase, Indian Arch, Cloud Splitter, Hanson's Point and Gray's Arch. The total mileage is 16-17 miles. I led this same route last year with the Cincinnati Meetup Group and thought I'd do it again this time with the Louisville group. Everyone had a great time and really liked how much there was to see and do on the hike. We'll be scrambling up some rock faces, checking out arches, rockhouses, and overlooks, and have a chance to boulder jump into the Red River. I'd like to start the hike on the morning of Aug. 21 but we could camp close to the road on the Friday night before the hike if anyone wants to spend two nights out. Day 1 - Saturday, August 21: We'll meet at the picnic tables at the Shell Station at Slade. There is a commuter parking lot where extra vehicles can be left safely. We'll leave a car at Martin's Fork and then ride together to the Bison Way Trailhead parking lot. We'll start the hike by following the Bison Way trail until it connects with the Sheltowee Trace Trail. We will follow it west. We have the option of ascending Indian Staircase or bypassing it. We will pass Indian Arch and after a few miles we can take a short side trip to see Cloudsplitter. We'll continue on the Sheltowee Trace Trail and after a mile or so cross SR-715 and via a footbridge cross the Red River. About one half mile past the foot bridge is a house sized boulder on the bank of the Red River that is a very popular place to jump off and take a swim. Another mile and half and the trail meets the Rough trail. We have two options here. We can shorten our hike for the day by a mile and half by going West on the Rough trail (not a particularly nice section). Or go east on the Rough Trail until it intersects with the Koomer Ridge Trail and take it south. We will then take the Buck Trail east and then the Pinch'em Tight trail north until we intersect again with the Rough Trail and go west. We will veer right onto an unofficial trail that leads to Hanson's Point and camp there. It is one of the best if not the best overlooks in the Gorge. That should be about 10 or 11 miles. Day 2- Sunday, August 9: We will backtrack to the Rough Trail and continue west to Gray's Arch. We will follow the Gray's Arch / Rough Trail until the Rough Trail turns west away from the Gray's Arch Trail. We will take the Rough trail until it ends at the Martin's Fork parking lot where we can leave a car on the way in. The second day we'll be doing around 6 miles. There will be a lot to see on this trip with varied terrain. Water is easy to find and if something happens and we can't make it to camp there are a lot of camping spots along the way.
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Chris
I had a wonderful time! Thank you all for being so great through the heat, humidity, and rain. It was a pleasure to meet you all and thanks for signing up. I love all of the pics! Hope to meet you all again on the trail.
August 23, 2010
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Ken Barton
This was my first overnight backpacking trip in a long time. Thanks to Chris and everyone else for making it so enjoyable!! Hope to do it again soon!
August 23, 2010
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KellyKY
So much fun!! Great leader - great fellow backpackers!! First chance to climb Indian Staircase and Cloud Splitter!! Covered a lot of ground in a short period of time!! Everyone was so helpful - learned a lot for the next backpacking adventure!!
Definitely one of the highlights of my summer!!
August 23, 2010
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A former member
Hey everyone - I wanted to let you know that there are more pics of this trip on my flickr page - around 50 more. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lo...
If anyone wants an original of any of the photos I can email them to you! I'll do my best to get names of everything, but will need some help from Chris.August 23, 2010
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Christine Ashley
I know you can't tag locations yet but could you put in the comments section of the photo if it's Indian Staircase, Pinch 'em Tight, Hanson's Point or where... I think I recognize most of it but it will be great for people who haven't been to know what the locations are.
August 23, 2010
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A former member
Awesome blossom! Had a wonderful time :) I think I got good photos of everyone... hope you like them!
August 23, 2010
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A former member
What a great trip! What a great crew! Thanks for organizing this Chris. I had so much fun on Indian Staircase and Cloud Splitter. I might need some help labeling the pics I took - I want to make sure I get all the place names right on them! Would love to go back and jump off that boulder again... rockin! It is wonderful to have new backpacking buddies and am looking forward to backpacking together again!
August 23, 2010
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Jenny Wuest
Start to finish this hike rocked!! Chris did a fantastic job sharing his technical knowledge of backpacking and keeping the hike interesting throughout and.... packing in the vistas! My favorite trip of the year as well!!
August 22, 2010
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Nancy King
This trip was the highlight of my summer, and I've had some wonderful experiences this summer. The highlight of the highlight was Cloud Spliltter. I can't wait for Chris' next backpacking trip. We were soooooo lucky to have had this experience Chris, who is a great hike leader because of his knowledge, fun loving nature, love of hiking. Chris is a gem. Thank you Chris for an incredible weekend.
August 22, 2010
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Sherri Schleigh
Chris, I forgot to give your stove back. :-(. If you'll email your address to me I'll ship it back to you. It was great to be able to make my coffee this morning!
Thanks again for such a great experience!
August 22, 2010
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Sherri Schleigh
Chris packed a lot of great stuff in a short weekend! This is one of my favorite excursions all year.
August 22, 2010
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Christine Ashley
I've already spied some photos on facebooks... hope you all post them here.
August 22, 2010
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Steve-o
Chris, I have an unexpected appointment at 4pm Sunday and must provide dinner. Would need to depart Sunday early. If you have a concern, you can replace me with another hiker. Sorry and Thanks for hosting.
August 19, 2010
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Chris
Sherri and Nancy, I have a Primus pot and stove that you're welcome to share.
Steve-o, if you need any advice with your hammock setup let me know. I've tried many different setups. The campsite has some perfect trees for hanging!
Also forgot to mention that we have to go to Miguel's after the hike for pizza!!!
August 11, 2010
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Chris
I should mention that the scrambling sections can be bypassed or are optional for those who don't want that much adventure. I would still rate the hike at moderate due to the amount of uphills.
August 11, 2010
7 attended
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Chris
Event Host
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Ken Barton
Assistant Organizer
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A former member
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