REDE RIVER GORGE- KY March 7-9

“Prosecutor- Is that what you are thinking about doing again? I would think you would want to chew on a new trail. I was looking at heading south east to Hell" Kitchen. I am a sucker for waterfalls. I wish I had a better map with all the trails.

This should be a great trip regardless. I look foward to meeting you Friday morning.”

“Bigpoppa, isn't Hells Kitchen over in the Clifty Wilderness area. It looks like there is a gravel road that takes you to that area. It is off 715 by Mt Parkway”

“Friday mostly sunny 56/44 0%

Saturday partly cloudy 53/27 10%

Sunday few snow showers 32/21 30%”

“Ewker- There is a gravel road that leads to Hell's Kitchen. It is called Rock Bridge Road. Trails 219 & 228 also lead to Hell's Kitchen. I do not believe I have ever hiked that area. I have hiked the rest of those trails.”

“that's it I saw it on a map that is on the trips page, you can print it out.”

“I've printed off a trail map of the Red River Gorge area off the net. But I think I'd prefer something more colorful...and readable. Anyone know where one can pick up a good map of the area?”

“I posted a message about where you can buy one a map at. It is somewhere on this thread. Also look on the trips page I think it was posted over there also but not sure which thread.”

“If you stop at the Shell station at Slade to buy your permit, they have the OutrageGis maps of the gorge (or did last year). Pretty good maps as far as showing the trails, but not as accurate and detailed as a USGS.”

“I am all packed and ready to go I will be to the camp site on Thursday night see ya all then.I am getting out of work at 2:30 Central time and it is going to take me about 6.5 hours to get there so see ya all then.

8)”

“If you arrive too late to get your pass you can always camp at Miguel's. It's a tiny pizza shop of world reknown amongst rock climbers, with a camping area big enough for about 100, and coin operated showers.

It costs $2 a night, pay in the morning or slide it under the door of the pizza shop. VERY casual, somewhat of a party atmosphere at times, and a roofed area to cook breakfast if it's raining. Expect plentiful climber types.

To get there from the Shell, just go south back under the freeway and keep going for a couple miles. You'll pass a short (and disadvantaged) rendition of Gatlinburg, then after a bit you'll enter a VERY long sweeping left hand curve...it goes on forever.

There's a short righthand turn with a guardrail at the apex on the left side of the road. The guardrail marks the far end of the parking area for Miguel's. Be ready to slow and turn when you first enter the right hand turn after the long left hander.

Park where ever but look at how it's laid out and just go with the pattern. It is in a dry county, beer can be had about 5 miles south on the right, not allowed to drink openly in the county Miguel's is in, but there seem to be significant quantities of foil or bag covered containers in evidence. If you feel like a fire and one isn't going, you can get wood back in the pseudo Gatlinburg, and Miguel has a ring out back of the store.

You have to work very very hard to get under Miguel's skin, otherwise he's about as cool a guy as you'll ever meet. Don't expect total quiet at night, folks arrive late and leave to climb early.

If you want a place to eat Sunday evening, remember that people come from all over the world to eat Miguel's pizza sandwiches. Don't forget to order garlic!”

“Thanks. Sounds like That's the place to eat on sunday.. You coming on this trip?”

“BigPoppa, my mentor is being sworn in as a Judge Friday at 11:00 a.m. C.S.T., and I'm leaving for the Red River Gorge just after the ceremony, which means I won't be arriving at the campsite until just after dark on Friday night. One year ago, four of us hiked the entire Swift Creek Camp trail in the rain, and we missed seeing Hells Kitchen area on both sides of the Swift Camp Creek just south of Turtle Back Arch. The only problem with Hells Kitchen, it is too far to day hike there and back from the location of the Friday night campsite without a car shuttle. I am game for a hike Saturday. After hearing some new lawyer jokes after breakfast Saturday, I'll just hook up with some people for a good hike. CrazyMikeBackpacks promised me a full trip report of his recent 36 hour hike (swim) in the rain at the Land Between the Lakes.”

“"Thanks. Sounds like That's the place to eat on sunday.. You coming on this trip?"

Well that pizza's been calling me, but things with Iraq are heating up. I was way out there on 9/11 and it screwed the trip up something ugly. No way to get news except from Art Bell. Imagine dreaming about alien terrorist bears on an 11k bench 20 4wd miles from nowehere, in a lightning storm, and you'll understand my hesitation.

Still and all...the Red feels like home and it's been a long long time...if I go I'd probably be more inclined to do some rapping, jugging or climbing to get ready for a trip west in June. Are you all going to be up on Tunnel Ridge both nights?”

“Look under Here's the plan" thread on the trips page. It will tell specifically where we are camping. Hope you can make. If not I'll catch you another time”

“Today
Mar 06 AM Ice 42°/29° 90 %
Fri
Mar 07 Mostly Sunny 57°/38° 0 %
Sat
Mar 08 Partly Cloudy 63°/37° 20 %
Sun
Mar 09 Mostly Cloudy 51°/23° 20 %”

“WE GoT ICE AND SNOW!I should be there by 2.5pm yo bear!”

“You all drive safely, see you tomorrow!”

“I'm sure thankful that Chips isn't wearing his damned kilt! (shudder)”

“Have fun y'all!”

“Smiley girl, you will be missed.
at least we can talk about you now ;)”

“All good things, Ewker! :)”

“OK, folks, I'm kinda confused here. Are we meeting up at a predetermined area and hiking to other sites over the weekend, or are we going to bivouac at one spot and dayhike each day???”

“I'm pretty sure we'll be making a short hike to another site, Saturday, and then dayhiking from there. Or hiking from the Friday site and looping back to the Saturday site.”

“FG, what day/night are you coming in.”

“Sounds all good. I am packed except for a little more food. Got my new GPS all loaded with the topo map and waypoints.”

“Maybe I'll just wear my kilt to spite you all, especially FG ;)”

“I am on my way see ya all soon.

On the road again.....

8)”