Red River Gorge

Lora and I headed up to the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky. We stayed in site #31 in the Middle Creek campground. We had been here before, but wanted to see some more of the area. After we set up camp with the camper, we headed out for a hike. We took the Original trail to the Natural Bridge. We went on top and then took the Laurel Ridge trail past the Skylift to lookout point. Then we hiked to Lover's Leap, not to jump, just to look. From there we went down through Needles Eye to Devils Gulch trail and back to the Original trail. We had dinner in the camper due to winds and temp.

Tuesday we took the Original trail to the Rock Garden trail. We hiked down to the Skylift parking area and took the Hood Branch trail, including the Loop trail, back to the Natural Bridge. From there we took the Rock Garden trail back to the Original trail back to the campground. After dinner we had a campfire and looked at the stars.

Wednesday we drove over to the Red River Gorge and drove out the Double Arch road. We hiked to the Double Arch and then took the Auxier Branch trail over to Courthouse Rock. We came back by the Auxier Ridge trail. On the road out we stopped and hiked to Grays Arch. Both beautiful hikes. Back at camp we had another campfire. Dropped below freezing that night.

Thursday we drove over to the Red River Gorge to Koomer Ridge Campground and hiked the Hidden Arch Loop and Silvermine Arch. Then we drove out Chimney Rock road. We hiked to Chimney Rock where we got to watch a helicopter drop a couple of loads of water on a wildfire. Then we hiked to Princess Arch. After that we went into the Clifty Wilderness and hiked the Rock Bridge Loop which was beautiful. Ran out of firewood, so no fire tonight. Dropped below freezing again.

Friday we packed up and headed home.

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Big South Fork TTA

Deb led another great hike at Big South Fork. I met the other hikers in the parking lot at Leatherwood Ford. It was a cool morning, but after hiking for a few minutes we had to strip down a little. The hike along the river is always pretty. Then the climb to Angel Falls Overlook. It was very windy at the overlook. We had lunch here. I lost my apple trying to catch a stray water bottle. We had a great group. Started with 11 then on the way out picked up 2 more that had started at Bandy Creek. 

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Savage Gulf South Rim Trail

Lora and I took advantage of the beautiful day and went to the Savage Gulf and hiked the South Rim trail. The colors are changing and beautiful to look at. We had lunch at one of the overlooks before the campground. On the way out we noticed a family and their children hiking and we were so glad to see them out on the trail. As I talked to the dad I noticed that I knew him. He was one of my firefighters from my volunteer fire department of many years ago. So great to see him. 

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Cotton Patch Loop, Bear Creek Loop, and Lee Hollow Loop

Day one: 7 miles

Day two: 9.25 miles

Day three: 4.2 miles

Day one started at the Steven's Branch trailhead. We hiked the Cotton Patch Loop trail counter clockwise. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of nice views. They have been working on the horse trails by bulldozering them and putting down large chip rock. This makes it very hard to walk on and I am sure the horses are not very proud of it either. We stopped and made camp at Tappley Creek crossing. We had a nice campfire to listen to the owls and coyotes.

Day two we continued on the Cotton Patch Loop to Bear Creek Loop. We went around the Bear Creek Horse Camp and then took the Lee Hollow Loop counter clockwise. When we got back to the Bear Creek Loop we made camp at the crossing of Bear Creek. Another beautiful night around the campfire listening to the owls and coyotes.

Day three we continued on the Bear Creek Loop and took the Cotton Patch loop on the way out. 

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