Red River Gorge

**Billcole** · 10-16-2018, 06:16

Originally Posted by jeff-oh

I see you are from Michigan. For the local flavor make sure you stop by Miguel's Pizza for a custom pie and a couple of KY's local beverage pronounced either "A-Late-One" or "Ale-8"
Attachment 169140
It is about 2 miles south of the Mountain Parkway on Ky 11.

I have heard about Miguel's Pizza from David Gray's videos, we will be stopping there for sure.

**jsquats** · 10-22-2018, 15:50

Here's one I planned, although it fell through. Never been to Red River Gorge, so take my planning with a grain of salt. Maybe others can chime in and say if it's realistic. (seemed reasonable to me.). Hope it helps, I'd love to know how it goes if you do it.

*caveat is that it is designed for separate start/end points, not a loop.

Meet at 1pm on Tuesday 10/18:
Sky Bridge Station
20 Sky Bridge Road | Pine Ridge, KY | 606-668-9927
Thursday hours 11am-9pm
<https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5332558#Pine%20Ridge>
Menu: http://places.singleplatform.com/sky-bridge-station/menu?ref=google

Buy passes, eat lunch & poop (last chance before the hike)

Cumberland District - Red River Gorge
Backcountry camping between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.. Hang Tag or Sticker required. $3/day; $5/3 day; $30/annual. )
<https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5292939>

---Then---

Leave shuttle car @ Rock Bridge Hike Trail Head off Rock Bridge Road
Drive to Bison Way Trail Head to start hike

Day 1: (5.8 Miles)
Trail 210 - Bison Way trail to L on
Trail 100 - Sheltowee Trace to night 1 camp site

See Indian Stair Case, Cloud Splitter, Sand Castle

Day 2: (9.6 Miles)
Trail 100 Sheltowee Trace to L on
Trail 221 Rough Trail to R on
Trail 220 Koomer Ridge Trail to R on
Trail 208 Hidden Arch Trail backtrack to L on 226 Buck Trail, via 220
Trail 226 Buck Trail to L on
Trail 223 Pinch'em Tight Trail to R on Via roadway
Trail 205 Grays Arch Trail to R on
Trail 221 Rough Trail to L on
Unofficial Trail to Hanson's Point for night 2 camp site

See Hidden Arch, Grays Arch, Hanson's Point

Day 3: (8.3 Miles)
Unofficial Hanson's Point trail to L on
Trail 221 Rough Trail to 219 Swift Camp Creek Trail for night 3 camp site
(Will need to cross parking lots and use road for part of this leg)

See Timmons Arch, Turtle Back Arch, Pooch Turtle Falls

Day 4: (2.5 Miles)
Trail 219 Swift Camp Creek Trail to L on
Trail 207 Rock Bridge Trail to Rock Bridge Parking Area and 2nd car

See Rock Bridge Arch, Rock Bridge Falls, Creation Falls

Total Trip: (26.2Miles) + exploration time

Drive to Miguel's for Pizza (sun hours 7am-9pm)
1890 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376

Drive to Bison Way Trail Head to pick up car 1
Depart for Home on Sunday 10/21

**KYHiker** · 10-22-2018, 19:55

Don't know and never heard of Sand Castle.... sounds like a modern name for something. Rock Bridge Falls is Creation falls they are not two different waterfalls. Just FYI if you ever try this plan, most people spend half a day just finding Timmin's arch, maybe there is a more established path UP and I mean UP to that arch. If you have out of state plates and you leave your car overnight on Rock Bridge Rd or R.B. Picnic area it could get broken into, it happens frequently and many suspect locals needing drug money are doing it. Swift Camp Creek trail typically hikes longer than its mileage due to its roughness. Its in the Clifty wilderness and does not get as much attention as most trails as far as maintenance goes. The Northern end of Osbourne Bend trail is in poor condition especially near the road. The vertical section is eroding away quickly and if its rainy or icy its outright dangerous to travel downward on. Its like a water flue in a downpour. The internal 221 rough trail loop is heavily traveled and it can be difficult to find legal camping during busy weekends...same with Hanson's Pt.

**weaver2469** · 10-22-2018, 20:38

Hey KY, thanks for the info. In terms of getting cars broken into, do you have any suggestions as to any of the safer trailheads? I know there are no guarantees, but didn't know if there were certain ones that were more traveled, more lit, etc....

**KYHiker** · 10-23-2018, 08:48

Originally Posted by weaver2469

Hey KY, thanks for the info. In terms of getting cars broken into, do you have any suggestions as to any of the safer trailheads? I know there are no guarantees, but didn't know if there were certain ones that were more traveled, more lit, etc....

It's not a matter of lighting, its more a problem with use and patrol by law enforcement. Rock Bridge Rd is about 5 miles long and only one way in and out. It generally does not get as much use as Tunnel Ridge Rd and Chimney Top Rd which are similar in length. If your worried just park on trail heads that are along the two lane hwys (715, 11 and 15) and any parking lots along those roads. Also, use good judgement and don't leave anything of value in plain sight in the vehicle...lock it in your trunk or throw it under a blanket. I try to make my vehicle look 'lived in' and messy before I leave it for a few days. It helps that its 18yrs old too! It basically tells those looking for opportunity that there is nothing to take here.

**weaver2469** · 10-23-2018, 10:20

Good tips, thanks!

**jsquats** · 10-23-2018, 11:21

Thanks KY! As I said, it was one I planned out... Although never been to RRG. I was intending on rescheduling it, now I may need to re map it too. Appreciate the input,especially when the vehicle could get broken into.

**KYHiker** · 10-23-2018, 21:09

Your welcome. Could is the key word, it can happen but that does not mean it will happen. It seems to happen in spells down there, but Rock Bridge Rd is a usual hot spot when it does. Its better to hike in to Swift Camp Creek from Wildcat trail head lot or the S.C.C. trail head parking lot along 715. I personally only day hike the Rock Bridge area because of what I have mentioned and observed there in the past.