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Red River Gorge - December 12-14, 2014

1/8/2015

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Hanson's Point Group Hang

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).  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; temp ranged from upper 20s to low 40s; approximately 5 miles
Menu:  Oatmeal, Chicken & Noodles, Pasta & Meat Sauce, Rotisserie Chicken, Pudding, Snacks
Shelter:  Warbonnet Black Bird hammock, Underground Quilts Top & Under Quilts, Warbonnet Mamajamba Tarp w/DIY Door Kit
USDA Website
Red River Gorge (The Gorge) is located within the Daniel Boone National forest.  For this trip the trail head was along Tunnel Ridge road at the Pinch-em Tight trail head.  Since this was a group hang it was best to have a base camp which was at Hanson's Point.  Hanson's Point is a great campsite for views.  However, it is a dry campsite with the nearest water source maybe a half to three quarters of a mile away.  The view, however, makes it worth it with arguably the best vista of The Gorge.
Picture
Day 1:  I arrived at the Pinch-em Tight trail head around Noon on Friday.  As I organized my gear another hiker as part of the meetup came in.  Since he had not been to Hanon's Point we made the hike together.  The hike from the Pinch-em Tight trail head to Hanson's Point is a relatively easy couple miles along Pinch-em Tight trail to Rough Trail.  After a short hike on Rough Trail an unmarked trail leads toward Hanson's Point.  This would be an easy hike as well if not for all the dead fall, which makes it a bit aggravating at times.

After arriving a camp and making introductions I got set up.  After some time around the fire with the group I made some dinner and headed back to the fire.  I retired early to the hammock for some reading before dozing off.


Picture
Day 2:  After making coffee I hiked to Hanson's Point.  Unfortunately, the overcast skies prevented any hopes of catching a sunrise.  Back at camp I made some oatmeal before we went in search of the Ledford Arches.  After a few feeble attempts to locate the arches I had the location pretty well narrowed down...Plus I had some GPS coordinates to confirm!  Happily, I can report that after some bushwhacking, and a bit of wandering, we found the arches!  I also hadn't realized how close Hanson's Point and the Ledford Arches are to the Sheltowee.


Dinner on day 2 was not your typical backpacking meal...The trip organizer brought chickens to roast over the fire.  After stuffing myself on rotisserie chicken and pudding I again retired to the hammock for some reading.  That night's reading was all about bear maulings and general mayhem...For some reason I heard every leaf fall and wind gust!


Picture
Day 3:  For the return hike I continued on Rough Trail to an unmarked trail to The Veranda.  At The Veranda I took a short snack & water break while I enjoyed the view.

There are a couple campsites at The Veranda, both are fairly small and, yep, dry.


I have been to The Gorge multiple times but, I am still learning my way.  My main goals for this trip were to meet some fellow backpackers and to find the Ledford Arches and The Veranda - I'm happy to report that all goals were met!

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