Henson’s Arch and Whittleton Arch Moderate Beginner Hike

Join us for a moderate beginner hike that starts from the Whittleton Campground parking lot in Slade, KY. We’ll visit both Henson’s Arch and Whittleton Arch on a roughly 4-mile hike with about 600 feet of total ascent. The route follows forest trails with several short, steep climbs along the way.

Trail Overview
Location: Meet at Junior Williamson Rest Area in Slade, KY
Distance: ~4 miles
Time: ~2.5–3 hours hiking + lunch (if you'd like to join)
Elevation: ~600 feet ascent
Route Type: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate Beginner
Trail Conditions: Mostly forest trails with some paved campground road, footbridges, stairs, and several short, steep climbs. Trails may be muddy or slippery after rain.
Pets: Leashed pets are welcome to join us. Please do not allow your pet to approach another person/pet without checking first.

Recommended Hiking Gear
Bring water and a snack, and wear shoes with good traction. Sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, and other weather-appropriate gear are also recommended as needed.

Fitness Level (Moderate Beginner Hike)
You should be comfortable walking for at least an hour at a steady pace without becoming overly winded and able to climb several flights of stairs without needing a long recovery. The hike is short, but it includes approximately 600 feet of total ascent with several short, steep climbs.

Hike Start
Meet at the Junior Williamson Rest Area in Slade, KY at 8:00 a.m. Because parking is limited at the trailhead, we’ll consolidate cars and leave for Whittleton Campground at 8:15 a.m.

Carpool
If you’d like to carpool from Lexington, just comment in the chat and we’ll coordinate. Plan to meet around 6:30 a.m. so we can get organized and be on the road by 6:45 a.m.

Hike End
We should finish around 11:00 a.m. Anyone who would like to can join us after for lunch nearby.

Trail Safety
There are steep drop-offs around Whittleton Arch, including access to the top of the arch. Please stay back from cliff edges and use extra caution when the trail or rocks are wet. Copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, and black bears are also found in the area.

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.