Red River Gorge Trip

“Anybody hiking The Red River Gorge July 5-8?
Just wondering!”

“I'll be down there that weekend doing some trail work. I'd be glad to meet y'all at least for a short time if it works out.”

“Cool, I haven't mapped out our trip yet. Do you have any suggestions. We will be there for 3-4 days and want to probably take it easy (8-10 mi per day).”

“I'll dig out the map and guide books this eve or tomorrow and see what suggestions I can come up with.

Have you been down there before? Has your friend? Are you looking to hit the big sites(Gray's Arch, Half Moon, etc.) or are you looking to get into the 'back country'? Loop or shuttle? Short milage on the first and last day?

Gimme some more ideas of what you are thinking about for your trip.”

“Hey Crow, I just got the maps in the mail for our gorge trip. It looks like we will just do a 3 day loop. 6 miles 1st day, 8-10 day 2 and 6 last day. Let me know what part of the trail you will be working on, and when, and we'll try to meet up with ya and help you folks out.”

“Would love to meet up with you guys, but won't be able to do the whole trip and I really, really don't want to be caught in the RRG alone! It can be one weird good 'ole boy place. Maybe next time.”

“bpbaby,
How will you end up alone on this trip? If it's the lack of trail partner I'd buddy with you-I've been told you already know your way around the area and I want to see it. Is the fishing good?”

“Buddah Bear;
I should have some suggestions for you on here this evening. I was working on it now but my buds just called and we're gonna go play a round of disc golf. Gotta have priorities.

Are you cool with a shuttle? I can hook you up with some outfitters and B&B people that will do it.”

“BPbaby, Wolfsister;
The route I have in mine has several bail-out points if you just wanna go for a day or two.

More to come...”

“Wolfsister, please email me at bpbaby42@aol.com. I've got a few things to talk to ya about!”

“Oooh tay!”

“Walkin'Crow,I plan on looping it, so no need for a shuttle, I'll just let my truck get broken into like the rest of the out of staters (lol). Also, I usggested to my hikin' partner that we may help with some trail maintainace, she didn't seem to keen on that, so I might have to come back on some other date to help. bpbaby and wolfsister, ya'll are more than welcome to meet up with us for a day hike!”

“Okay, here's the best long loop I can think of that is all developed trails.

From Mountain Parkway(Slade exit) turn left, go under bridge to stop sign. Turn left on KY 15 go 1.5 miles to Ky 77. Turn right on 77 and go 3.2 miles, passing through the Nada Tunnel, to Martins Fork Parking Area. Trail begins 100 Yards southeast of parking area.

Hike Rough Trail(#221) to Koomer Ridge Trail. 6.0 miles.

Follow Koomer Ridge Trail(#220) to the Koomer Ridge Parking Area. 2.9 Miles.

Do the Silvermine Trail(#225) round trip. 1.5 Miles.

Do Hidden Arch Trail and rejoin Kommer Ridge Trail. 1.0 miles.

Follow Koomer Ridge Trail back to the Junction with Buck Trail(#226). 0.8 miles.

Take Buck Trail to Pinch'em Tight Ridge Trail(#223/100). 1.5 miles.

Hike Pinch'em Tight Ridge Trail to Tunnel Ridge Road. 1.3 miles.

Road walk to Gray's Arch Parking Lot. 0.2 miles.

Follow Daniel Boone Hut Trail(#209) back to Rough Trail. 0.6 miles.

Descend Rough Trail back to the Martin Fork Parking Lot. 0.75 miles.

Total milage 16.55

I got the milage from "Hiking The Red" (Harmony House Publishers). Milage figures in the book occasionally contradict each other by a few tenths of a mile so take them with a grain of salt. On the other hand the trail descriptions are very useful and if you can get a copy before your trip I would suggest it. Most outfitters in the region should have it as should the Gladie Visitor's Center.

All righty, now we got a frame to start on. Next question?”

“opps;
Hidden Arch Trail is # 208
Buck Trail is #226”

“Stay the livin heyall outa the Clifty Wilderness!!”

“Naked Ape, you have a bad experience there?”

“Clifty is blah and the maps are vague! Crow has a good loop picked for ya, may see some others butt... thats life. 2cents
Yo bear!”

“Thanks crow, I was thinking of something similar, but we'll go with your suggestion.

T - 6 days.....”

“To be honest, I can guarantee that they will see plenty of folks around Martin Fork, Grays Arch and the Koomer Ridge Parking area. Once they get a mile from the trailheads the crowds really thin out though. That's just the way it is on the weekends. Go on a week day and you will hardly see anybody.

Lookin' forward to reading y'all's trip report Buddha Bear.

If ya got any other questions feel free to ask.”