Hunting Arches
Just the Facts
Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area - Slade, KY
General Rules and Regulations: Overnight permits are required (available at gas stations in Slade or Gladie Visitor Center). No camping within 300' of a marked trail or road. No camping or fires within 100' of rock structures. Fires are permitted unless there s a fire ban in place - No cutting standing timber (dead or alive). Bear precautions are required.
Please see the USDA website, which is over Red River Gorge, for details on the rules.
Trip Highlights: 3 days/2 nights; temps ranged from mid 30s to upper 50s; 6 arches and 2 waterfalls
Menu: Pop-Tarts & Breakfast Biscuits, Beef Stroganoff, Dirty Rice w/Ground Beef & Hungarian Goulash and various snacks
Shelter: Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, Underground Quilts Top Quilt and Hammock Gear Under Quilt, Warbonnet Outdoors Mamajamba tarp
Wildlife: Not a thing!
Miscellaneous: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39458
Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area - Slade, KY
General Rules and Regulations: Overnight permits are required (available at gas stations in Slade or Gladie Visitor Center). No camping within 300' of a marked trail or road. No camping or fires within 100' of rock structures. Fires are permitted unless there s a fire ban in place - No cutting standing timber (dead or alive). Bear precautions are required.
Please see the USDA website, which is over Red River Gorge, for details on the rules.
Trip Highlights: 3 days/2 nights; temps ranged from mid 30s to upper 50s; 6 arches and 2 waterfalls
Menu: Pop-Tarts & Breakfast Biscuits, Beef Stroganoff, Dirty Rice w/Ground Beef & Hungarian Goulash and various snacks
Shelter: Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, Underground Quilts Top Quilt and Hammock Gear Under Quilt, Warbonnet Outdoors Mamajamba tarp
Wildlife: Not a thing!
Miscellaneous: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39458
I had camped along Copperas Creek once before with the intentions of seeing the falls and finding a couple of arches. We never made to the falls and couldn't find the arches - we were close but never did spot them. So, I wanted to go back and find these arches as well as one other along Copperas Creek.
For this trip we would be representing the Buckeye state, the Mountaineers and Wildcats.
For this trip we would be representing the Buckeye state, the Mountaineers and Wildcats.
Day 1
I met up with Justin & Paige (#backpackdog) and Jack at the Osborne Bend trail head Friday morning and we headed off up Copperas Creek. We hiked all the way to the falls where we dropped packs and hiked around until we were at the top of the falls. After checking the area out and snapping some photos we ate some lunch before heading back down the creek to set up camp. We found a nice spot not far from where we would need to be to search for Snow Arch and Double Deer Arch.
I met up with Justin & Paige (#backpackdog) and Jack at the Osborne Bend trail head Friday morning and we headed off up Copperas Creek. We hiked all the way to the falls where we dropped packs and hiked around until we were at the top of the falls. After checking the area out and snapping some photos we ate some lunch before heading back down the creek to set up camp. We found a nice spot not far from where we would need to be to search for Snow Arch and Double Deer Arch.
We set up camp and worked on gathering (wet) firewood. With the hammocks strung and fire lit we went ahead and fixed some dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening. The last forecast I saw had the low temps in the mid 40s but, we all agreed that it sure felt more like low - mid 30s.
Day 2
We headed off late morning to hunt for Snow Arch and Double Deer Arch. I tried finding these once before with no luck. Turns out I was close but needed to climb higher up the ridge. We had a decent climb and a few scrambles but, were rewarded with a cool arch and great view from Snow Arch.
We headed off late morning to hunt for Snow Arch and Double Deer Arch. I tried finding these once before with no luck. Turns out I was close but needed to climb higher up the ridge. We had a decent climb and a few scrambles but, were rewarded with a cool arch and great view from Snow Arch.
We continued around the ridgeline to other side of the ridge where we found Double Deer Arch. We climbed through and under the arch and continued exploring around the ridgeline. We found a decent rock shelter before dropping down off the ridge to a stream where we found a nice campsite. We tried following the stream back down to Copperas Creek but our progress was thwarted by a cliffline. The stream we were following plunged off the cliff into a waterfall - no way down from where we were at.
We backtracked the way we came to Copperas Creek and back to camp for some lunch. As we started back it started to rain and would rain off & on all day. After some fuel we again walked back down Copperas Creek in search of Hopewell Arch. Another climb up to a ridge and Hopewell comes into view. I've read about this as being an unimpressive arch and may not be worth searching out - I would disagree. It's not easy to find but, certainly not hard and not terribly difficult to get to. Although, the last climb at the base of the ridge is slightly challenging.
Jack spotted a geocache and after scribbling our names on the paper and some pics we headed back down. Justin & Paige would be heading out this afternoon so we jumped in the cars and ran over to Sky Bridge and Buzzard Knob (not sure of the name given). We hiked the Sky Bridge loop and hiked out to the point at Buzzard Knob.
Justin and Paige headed out while Jack & I hiked back to camp. We started another fire, filtered some water and fixed dinner. Despite the spitting rain it felt warmer today and we were able to get a hot enough fire to get a good bed of coals and put out some heat. With a better fire the wet wood dried out and made for a very nice evening, sitting around the fire in rain jackets.
Justin and Paige headed out while Jack & I hiked back to camp. We started another fire, filtered some water and fixed dinner. Despite the spitting rain it felt warmer today and we were able to get a hot enough fire to get a good bed of coals and put out some heat. With a better fire the wet wood dried out and made for a very nice evening, sitting around the fire in rain jackets.
Day 3
The rain moved out but, it was still cloudy and everything was wet & damp. We fixed some morning java and had a bite to eat before we packed up. All packed up we headed to the truck and moved to the Bison Way trail head where we planned to hike to Indian Arch and Adena Arch. The Bison Way lot was full but the pull out down the road had enough room to squeeze in. We hiked up Indian Staircase (which I'm pretty sure I said I didn't need to do again the last time I did it) and around to Frog Head Rock and Council Chambers. Indian Staircase is not incredibly difficult but, it does have a definite amount of risk involved. The exposure is what messes with your mind. The pictures in this gallery give a good perspective of the exposure.
The rain moved out but, it was still cloudy and everything was wet & damp. We fixed some morning java and had a bite to eat before we packed up. All packed up we headed to the truck and moved to the Bison Way trail head where we planned to hike to Indian Arch and Adena Arch. The Bison Way lot was full but the pull out down the road had enough room to squeeze in. We hiked up Indian Staircase (which I'm pretty sure I said I didn't need to do again the last time I did it) and around to Frog Head Rock and Council Chambers. Indian Staircase is not incredibly difficult but, it does have a definite amount of risk involved. The exposure is what messes with your mind. The pictures in this gallery give a good perspective of the exposure.
We walked the rim around to Ohm Dome and to Indian Arch. You get a great view and perspective for the incline and exposure of Indian Staircase from Ohm Dome. After Indian Arch we headed out to Adena Arch. We continued out past Adena Arch and dropped down the hill to the truck.
Summary
Another great weekend in the woods at Red River Gorge. I was able to check several sites off my list and enjoy some time with friends. The only negative was that Miguel's Pizza wasn't open!
Another great weekend in the woods at Red River Gorge. I was able to check several sites off my list and enjoy some time with friends. The only negative was that Miguel's Pizza wasn't open!