First Time
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: 2 days/1 night; temps ranged from upper 20s to mid 50s; approximately 10 miles.
The area was very crowded with people trying to catch the fall colors. But, I think we were a week or so early for the best color.
Menu: Oatmeal, Gold Star Chili, Chinese chicken & rice and Snacks.
Shelter: Two man tent, Thermarest pads (Prolite & Neolite), Kelty 20 Cosmic Down bag and Underground Quilts top quilt.
Wildlife: None
Miscellaneous: http://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: 2 days/1 night; temps ranged from upper 20s to mid 50s; approximately 10 miles.
The area was very crowded with people trying to catch the fall colors. But, I think we were a week or so early for the best color.
Menu: Oatmeal, Gold Star Chili, Chinese chicken & rice and Snacks.
Shelter: Two man tent, Thermarest pads (Prolite & Neolite), Kelty 20 Cosmic Down bag and Underground Quilts top quilt.
Wildlife: None
Miscellaneous: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39458
Cast of characters for the trip - my nephew Jacob, Max and myself. This would be the first time backpacking for Jacob. So, we picked a relatively short route that would keep us close to the truck and away from any major hazards. It was also going to be cloder than normal.
Carrying most of the gear I was still able to come in at about 22 pounds without water. Jacob used a day pack and carried is clothes, sleep pad, sleeping bag and personal items like a head lamp, gloves & such - about 11 pounds without water.
We would be hunting for a waterfall and some arches. But, when we got in the area it was clear that finding a spot to park and camp would be the first hunt. The place was hoppin'. People were literally parked everywhere. Fortunately, most people seemed to be day hikers and hiking the marked trails (we would be staying on unmarked trails)
Carrying most of the gear I was still able to come in at about 22 pounds without water. Jacob used a day pack and carried is clothes, sleep pad, sleeping bag and personal items like a head lamp, gloves & such - about 11 pounds without water.
We would be hunting for a waterfall and some arches. But, when we got in the area it was clear that finding a spot to park and camp would be the first hunt. The place was hoppin'. People were literally parked everywhere. Fortunately, most people seemed to be day hikers and hiking the marked trails (we would be staying on unmarked trails)
Day 1: We headed south Saturday morning. We arrived at Miguel's around 12:30 where we got in line to order pizza. After enjoying some pizza we headed to the Gladie Visitor Center to check out the displays and purchase our overnight pass. We found were were at on and where we would be going the 3D map. After a quick walk through of the visitor center we headed to the Osborne Bend trailhead.
Once at the trailhead we organized our gear, suited up and headed off to Copperas Creek.
Once at the trailhead we organized our gear, suited up and headed off to Copperas Creek.
I had real concerns about finding a site with the amount of people we were seeing. So, the plan was to hike out to look for a waterfall while making note of any potential campsites. To my surprise we only saw a pair of dayhikers on the way out and a group of party campers on the way back. We spotted a cool campsite but, the risk of accessing it looked to outweigh the reward. Some of the other established campsites were pretty abused with trees cut down, firewood consumed and trash.
We didn't find the falls but, we did find a suitable campsite. We started gathering what firewood we could find and got a campfire going. With a fire going we turned to setting up shelter.
We didn't find the falls but, we did find a suitable campsite. We started gathering what firewood we could find and got a campfire going. With a fire going we turned to setting up shelter.
Fire - Check. Shelter - Check. We already had water so that was not a concern. Time for some dinner. I heated up water with the Fancy Feast stove and started rehydrating Gold Star chili for my Jacob and Chinese chicken & rice for myself. While dinner was "cooking" I got Max's food ready for him to eat - venison kibble for Max.
The temps were dropping fast. We got our evening snacks and hung our bear bag before eating. Time to eat and relax by the fire!
The temps were dropping fast. We got our evening snacks and hung our bear bag before eating. Time to eat and relax by the fire!
After enjoying the fire we retreated to the tent and our fluffy down. It was quite cozy inside the tent. But, it worked.
If you were wondering, Max has a down vest as well as a down blanket (my summer top quilt for hammock camping).
If you were wondering, Max has a down vest as well as a down blanket (my summer top quilt for hammock camping).
Day 2: We awoke to a crisp morning. I again fired up the Fancy Feast stove to heat water for hot chocolate and coffee. After a cup of joe I heated water for the last time to make our oatmeal.
The plan today would be to drop our gear at the truck and day hike in search of arches.
The plan today would be to drop our gear at the truck and day hike in search of arches.
We found the area for the arches but, with the foliage still thick we couldn't spot them to know where to climb. After a series of climbs, back-tracks and circles we gave up and headed back. Even though we didn't have any luck finding the waterfall nor the arches, we did find an enjoyable time in the woods!
Honorable Mentions: 1) Thermarest Neo Lite pad. This is lighter and less bulk than the old 1.5" Thermarest I've used. And, it's 2.5" thick and much warmer. I was surprised how warm it felt.
Dishonorably Discharged: Nothing from this trip that didn't work as planned.
Dishonorably Discharged: Nothing from this trip that didn't work as planned.