Hikers of the Bluegrass

Shillito Park, a beautiful greenway that offers rolling hills but easy relatively flat walking on a paved trail. One loop around the park is 2.4 miles. It takes an average 45 minutes to complete the route once. We will start our walk at 6:00 pm and end before 8:00 pm, estimated mileage 4-5

Meet in South entrance by the baseball fields. There is a large parking lot and a good place to start our walk.

Kid stroller & dog friendly
bathrooms
nice views

Hike description:
We will hike on trails in Natural Bridge State Park not frequently visited, but still pay a visit to the Bridge itself. The hike will begin at the Sky Lift parking area on the Hood's Branch trail to the Natural Bridge, with a return down the Rock Garden Trail as far as the Low Gap trail, which ends back at the Sky Lift parking. Estimated mileage 5.0 miles. The 675 foot elevation gain -gives hike rating moderately challenging **

Directions to Natural Bridge hike trailhead:

Travel east on I-64 from Lexington towards Winchester, at 16 mi (from I-75, I-64 split), turn right on Bert Combs Mountain Parkway; travel 32 mi to exit 33, Slade. Go right towards Natural Bridge State Park. Go 2 mi to park entrance, turn right and cross bridge, then turn right towards Sky Lift. Go approx. 0.4 mi, look for Low Gap Trail on left, just prior to Sky Lift (across the street from picnic area). Park near this trailhead.

Meet here at 9:00 AM.
text or call me if you're running late.
My cell number 801-628-2116
Hike will begin promptly at 9:05am
**if you would like to carpool please post a comment to make arrangements with others going.

No Dogs allowed in Natural Bridge SRP

Google map location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.78201,-83.689975&ll=37.78062,-83.689213&spn=0.00675,0.009345&sll=37.772584,-83.684358&sspn=0.01764,0.032015&num=1&t=h&z=17

DISCLAIMER
By committing to this event, you acknowledge you have read the following Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides, nor are they experts. You are solely responsible for your own safety. By signing up for and attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking is an outdoor activity that can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. By participating in this meetup event, you acknowledge that you're of good physical standing and willing to risk the inherent dangers of the activity. All attendees participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event.

Repeating this event for the weekend hikers.

The Star Gap Arch trail travels along a ridge which extends northward off of the Tunnel Ridge Road/Double Arch Trail. Not being one of the "official" numbered Red River Gorge trails it is a bit rough in places with overgrowth. A descent/climb in and out of a gap with some rock scrambling makes it moderate difficulty. Also be aware that this trail contains some very precipitous drop-offs, so some caution is advised.

Similar to the Star Gap Arch trail, the Jailhouse Rock trail travels along a ridge which extends northward off of the Tunnel Ridge Road/Double Arch Trail. Not being one of the "official" numbered Red River Gorge trails it is a bit rough in places with overgrowth, but no real bushwhacking required. While mostly ridge-walking, it would normally get an easy designation, but a descent/climb in and out of a gap with some minor scrambling makes it moderately difficult in that place. Also be aware that this trail contains some very precipitous drop-offs, so some caution is advised.

Estimated hike mileage 7-8

Directions for Trailhead:
From the I-64/I-75 southern split, drive east on I-64 16.4 mi, exit 98 Combs Mountain Parkway; drive 32 mi to exit 33, Hwy 15 (Slade); from exit go left, then immediate right, follow Hwy 15, 3.2 mi; turn L onto Tunnel Ridge Rd (cross bridge over Parkway); drive approx 3.8 mi to Auxier Ridge trail parking area, on R, meet here.

9:00 AM Meet at Auxier Ridge trailhead. Auxier Ridge TH is at the end of Tunnel Ridge Road, see directions above. Tunnel Ridge road is a long gravel road w/ some pot holes. will take longer to get to RRG, allow yourself extra time.

The hike will begin no later then 9:10 AM
**If you're running late please let me know, text or call 801.628.2116
**If you would like to carpool post comment to make arrangements with other members going.

DISCLAIMER
By committing to this event, you acknowledge you have read the following Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides, nor are they experts. You are solely responsible for your own safety. By signing up for and attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking is an outdoor activity that can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. By participating in this meetup event, you acknowledge that you're of good physical standing and willing to risk the inherent dangers of the activity. All attendees participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event.