Red River Gorge TR

“Flew out to see a friend who lives in Ohio this weekend with the goal to explore the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. First night we camped at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio and hiked to the falls, cliffs, and recessed caves in the park. We got up early the next morning and drove down to the Red River Gorge. We entered the gorge and waited our turn through the Nada Tunnel, a one lane tunnel that is like driving through a mine shaft. On the other side were all these police officers. One stopped us, asked where we were going, if we had been there before, and then asked if we had any cocaine or marijuana in the car, or anything else illegal; he was close to the window trying to catch a smell of anything. He looked suspiciously at me, but we were soon on our way after that surreal experience.



We hiked a variety of trails through the gorge, it’s a really great place. The gorge isn’t very deep or particularly narrow, many in PA are much deeper and longer, but the Red River Gorge offers incredible cliffs, outcrops, and of course, over 100 natural arches. It’s a special place. Gray’s Arch was the most impressive, a massive arch set in a grotto.



While at the gorge, you must visit the Gorge Bistro- superb food, big portions, great prices. It’s also a hostel that’s popular with rock climbers. Right at 715 and 15.



We visited Campton looking for a place to eat; being rural Kentucky, Campton isn’t exactly a multi-cultural hotbed, but we did visit a little festival with some good bluegrass music and plenty of confederate flags.



We decided to look for beer and stopped by a small gas station, my buddy asked where we could get some and the gentleman said “Sheeeeellharhasumbearrr” which meant “the Shell station around the corner sells beer.” My buddy had to ask again what he meant. We also asked a man selling firewood in a wheelbarrow how much it was, he told me “teahhhnndahllars.”



Next up was Clifty State Park in Indiana, my first time in the state. The park features some great falls in a shale gorge, but the flow was low.



We returned to Ohio and checked out a few more great parks, including Clifton Gorge, John Bryan, and Glen Helen. We also visited the Air Force Museum in Dayton, very much worth seeing- it’s free and offers an incredible collection of various planes.



The flight back was great as I saw Lake Erie and northern PA from up high- it was cool recognizing all the places I’ve been from 30,000 feet.



Red River Gorge is a wonderful place I hope to visit again, I’m glad I finally got down there.



http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/566348480RjxNGb?vhost=outdoors”

“what the hell? ive been to the red at least a couple dozen times in the six years ive been backpacking, never been questioned by the police.”

“Crash,

Yes, it was strange and pretty poor police work. Bit of a damper on the start of the trip. But I was surpised they didn't ask about any meth.

I didn't get to your secret vista, but I'll be back. Also heard the Indian Steps (?) are a highlight. I'd like to explore more of the eastern half of the gorge.”

“You don't look as suspicious as jmitch does.”

“We did a half day with 3yo + 76yo in RRG on a road trip and certainly would have liked to see more of it. Nice place and we didn't see police either.

One of these times passing through Ohio I'd like to visit the Hocking Hills area. What PA parks is HHSP most similar to in facilities and feel?”

“I've been stopped at checkpoints and had the dogs walked around my car quite a few times, never in the morning though. PITA.

I've also been woken up in the middle of the night as the rangers brought their dog through on more than one occassion. My dog, who was tied to a tree was pepper sprayed the last time. This happened b/c he was growling at the a-holes who woke us up and made us put all of our stuff in a line for their dogs to walk down and sniff.

I could see doing this if it was rowdy, but we were literally sleeping, and had been for at least 2 hours. We also were not partying before that. We had simply shown up after work, set our tents up, ate some dinner, and went to bed, with the intention of hiking the next day.

Since that time, I hardly go to the Gorge, and never camp on Tunnel Ridge Road. If I don't get a little ways in to stop, I don't go.
last edited: 9/04/08 7:32:12 AM”

“We decided to look for beer and stopped by a small gas station, my buddy asked where we could get some and the gentleman said “Sheeeeellharhasumbearrr” which meant “the Shell station around the corner sells beer.” My buddy had to ask again what he meant. We also asked a man selling firewood in a wheelbarrow how much it was, he told me “teahhhnndahllars

well there ya go - just coz you kin speek "pennsyltuckian" don't mean you can speak "red-neck-kentuckian" similar - but distinctly different.

:)”

“Hocking Hills is very nice, but its a spread out park with smaller sections here and there. It's not a large, singular park like Ricketts Glen or Ohiopyle.

The popular places are Ash Cave, Conkles Hollow, Cedar Falls, Old Mans Cave, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs. Each is very much worth seeing, Rock House is very cool. Only Cedar Falls and Old Mans Cave are connected by trails.

Campground is nice, it is near Old Mans Cave.

Trough Creek is similar in the rock outcrop aspect, but PA doesn't really have state parks comprised of a bunch of unconnected segments.”