Adventures of a Dizzy Road Tripper

A winter snow hike, last year, hike was my third snow hike, ever. It was also my third snow hike in Red River Gorge. There were warnings out about the conditions of the Daniel Boone National Forest, the night before my hike. But, there were reports that a number of areas in Red River Gorge were open and accessible for hiking. Natural Bridge was one area that was reported as accessible. So, I made a plan to hike the Hoods Branch Trail since it would eventually lead to Natural Bridge. From there, the hike continues on to Rock Garden Trail and then Low Gap Trail; bringing you back to the skylift parking lot.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect on this trail. I've been to Natural Bridge many times and always hiked up the Original Trail, or took a leisure ride up the skylift. I never hiked Hoods Branch and wasn't sure what the conditions of the trail would be. But, I ventured to the trailhead anyhow. Hiking along this trail, I took notice that with the exception of tracks from various animals, the snow was untouched. No one had hiked this trail since the last snow fall and I was enjoying this moment. I will warn you, that this snowy hike is not for the faint at heart. And, if you are not prepared for maneuvering under low hanging branches (which are covered with snow), crawling in snow, maneuvering slick and icy surfaces, and scaling fallen trees, then this hike is not for you. I some suggestions on gear, which I will cover on a separate post on another day. But, one gear suggestion I will make, right now, is getting a pair of mini crampons for a hike like this.

Hoods Branch is listed as trail #6 in the Natural Bridge State Park and begins near the skylift parking lot. Is is approximately 3.1 miles and follows along, as well as crosses (several times), the Hood Branch. There aren't a ton of features at the beginning of this hike. More of the features are along Upper Hoods Branch Trail, and the last half of Hoods Branch Trail. Hoods Branch Trail leads you to Upper Hoods Branch, which is a short half mile loop that features a couple of massive rock shelters and various other rock formations. I highly recommend this little detour. You won't be disappointed. The loop brings you back to Hoods Branch; where you can continue on and make your way to Natural Bridge.

I have to admit that hiking this route, in the snow, with several miles of low hanging branches was quite exhausting and frustrating. But, at each discovery of a rock formation, rock shelter, formation of icicles and animal tracks, the effort of battling the low hanging braches were well worth the frustration. I should caution that because these trails were not traveled since the last snow, it was difficult to navigate at times. Some freshly fallen trees also had me feeling momentarily lost until I realized that the trail was just simply blocked by the fallen trees.

Once I made it to Natural Bridge, I opted to not hike up. I hung out under the bridge and took a few photos, instead. Not to mention, I was running out of daylight and still had about a mile and a half to go; to get to my car.

The best way to access the skylift parking lot from Natural Bridge, is to continue on to Rock Garden Trail and onto Low Gap Trail. All the trails from Natural Bridge, and onward, were well traveled. Because of this, they were also slick in many spots. I've never hiked Rock Garden Trail. So, it was truly a pleasant surprise to see so many beautiful rock formations and some small rock shelters. A warning, though, the trek down from Natural Bridge, on this trail, is steep. So, take your time going down.

While I recommend probably hiking this route during the warmer months, it was quite an adventure and amazing to see everything covered with snow and icicles.

I began taking road trips in 2015, with my son. He was almost 2-years-old and our first road trip was to Indianapolis. A year following that trip, I began experimenting with taking him on camping trips; starting out with just single overnighters and eventually graduating to full weekend camping trips. Any road trips I ever took were with my son, or a close friend. However, my first solo road trip was in November 2019, to celebrate my upcoming 43rd birthday. This first solo trip was to Slade Kentucky, home of Natural Bridge State Park. Close by, the geological area of Red River Gorge. All located in the Eastern part of Kentucky, in the Daniel Boone National Forest. As my blogs and posts will reveal, I truly enjoy visiting, hiking, and exploring the Red River Gorge.

My plan for my visit to Red River Gorge, led me to booking a room at the Black Bear Lodge. In all honesty, the “lodge” is a motel building with a rustic theme to it. The rooms are decorated in a charming rustic cabin vibe, and the price for the rooms are very reasonable for the area.

My first day of my visit involved a quick hike up the Original Trail (trail #1 behind the Hemlock Lodge) to the Natural Bridge. Once on top of Natural Bridge, I hiked over to Laurel Ridge Overlook via Laurel Ridge Trail (trial #9) and then on to Lover’s Leap Overlook. After making my way down Natural Bridge, I headed to La Cabana Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is quite a popular place in Slade and the food is fairly decent.

The 2nd day of my solo trip, I headed to the Slade Welcome Center to obtain a map of the hiking trails I intended to hike for the day. Before making my way over to Red River Gorge, to hike for the day, I stopped at the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop for a cup of coffee. This spot has delicious coffee and also offers yummy breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and even live music during the evenings. Also, check out their gift shop where you can find t-shirts, maps, books, and crafted items related to Natural Bridge, Red River Gorge, and Daniel Boone National Forest.

My hike(s) for the 2nd day of my trip began at the trailhead of Auxier Ridge (trail #204). I must confess that my first hike on Auxier Ridge was nearly 5 years before, with friends, and I barely remember the hike. I was in awe of the views that Auxier Ridge had to offer, now that I was actually paying attention to my surroundings and what the trail had to offer. I followed Auxier Ridge to where Court House Rock presented before me.

After taking a break near Court House Rock, I continued on to the connecting trail (Auxier Branch, trail #203) leading to Double Arch Trail (trail #201). I never hiked to Double Arch Trail. This trail is mostly uphill; leading to the arch. But, once I arrived, Double Arch itself was truly a pleasant surprise. I spent a long time up on top of this specific arch; eating lunch, reading a chapter of a book, and just enjoying the view. After exiting Double Arch, the trail leads to a gravel road that was once accessible by vehicles.

After leaving Auxier Ridge, I headed over to Angel’s Windows (trail #218), Whistling Arch (trail #234), and making my final stop at Sky Bridge (#214). All of these stops were simply for the sake of nostalgia as I have hiked these trails many times in the past.

I ended my evening at Sky Bridge Station; a tavern that offers live music, delicious local beers on tap, and foods such as burgers, sandwiches, and quesadillas.

My final hike of my solo weekend led me to Gray’s Arch. On the morning of this hike, I started at the D. Boon Hut Trail (#209) and from D. Boon Hut, to Rough Trail (#221); which led me to Gray’s Arch. D. Boon Hut was first discovered in 1959. It was a wooden hut located in a remote rock shelter. Carved on the wooden hut was D. Boon Hut; believed to be where Daniel Boone camped at some point in his time. The area is now fenced off as it was also once a mining area for niter.

After hiking up and under Gray’s Arch, it retraced my steps and hiked Rough Trail to Rush Ridge Trail (#227) out to Tunnel Ridge Road in order to access the Gray’s Arch parking lot. During my hike back to the parking lot, I met a family along Rough Trail. While chatting with the family (an older couple with their adult daughter and her husband), I learned that the older couple (in their late 60’s) hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail upon retirement. It was interesting to hear their hiking stories and adventures as we reached the parking lot. After saying our good-byes, I headed to Miguel’s Pizzeria for a few slices of pizza before heading home. Miguel’s is always a must at the end of a trip to The Red.

A solo hike during a November day, a couple years ago, led me to the D. Boone Hut trailhead (trailhead #209), over to an amazing rock shelter, and then onto an unofficial/unmarked trail that lead me to, what are called, giant Huecos. My adventure continued over to Gray's Arch before making way to my car. Here's more details of that hiking adventure...

According to Texas Beyond History, Hueco is a Spanish term that means ‘hollow’ and refers to circular depressions in rock faces or deep natural cisterns in rocks. The author of Hinterlands, Jerrell Goodpaster, adopted the term Hueco based on the Heuco Tanks that pocket the rock formations in Texas. Thus, naming the trail leading to the rock formations -here in The Red, that resemble Hueco Tanks- as Hueco trail.

The trail itself is nothing exciting until you reach the actual Huecos. I don’t recommend hiking this trail when it has rained or snowed. I also don’t recommend taking children on this trail. You will definitely need navigation skills as there are times when you might believe you’re not on the trail (but, more than likely, you’re on it). Depending on when you hike this trail, it might require some bushwhacking as this trail is overgrown in areas. Please be mindful of young trees on the trail and take care to not break or damage them. Please do your best to use Leave No Trace (LNT) practices while visiting these areas.

This trail bypasses the D. Boone Hut Trail and also bypasses a steep trek on Rough Trail; leading to an easier part of Rough Trail that ultimately takes you to Gray’s Arch.

Gray’s Arch is one of the larger natural arches in Red River Gorge. There are multiple ways to access Gray’s Arch. Some of the trails are suitable for children. Exploring around and under Gray’s Arch is fun and something kids can also enjoy. Just take caution of potentially dangerous falls.

As a side note, there is a trail marked Gray’s Arch Trail (trail #205). But, it doesn’t take you directly to Gray’s Arch. Rather, it leads you to Rush Ridge Trail; which leads you in the direction of Gray’s Arch.

Just as there are multiple ways to access Gray’s Arch, there are also multiple ways to access the Gray’s Arch parking/picnic area once you leave the arch itself. I recommend getting a good map (or two) of the trail systems in Red River Gorge.

The trail I took from Gray’s Arch, to my car, was Rough Trail to Rush Ridge, and then to Tunnel Ridge Road. The hike along this trail/path has some interesting formations (you might even be able to take a side trail to a rock shelter or two), requires a couple crossings of King’s Branch, and an intense uphill trek (which also includes stair climbing at two points) to an intersection that gives you the option to continue Rough Trail or to choose Rush Ridge Trail. Once hiking along Rush Ridge Trail, you will be able to access a couple of overlooks and will have opportunities of some views of Raven’s Rock. The hike along Rush Ridge is relatively flat and easy. Which is a nice relief after the upward trek that reaches Rush Ridge.

My hiking resources come from a well used map that I obtained from the Gladie Welcome Center, a 4 summer’s ago, two Books written by Jerrell Goodpaster: Red River Gorge Trail Guide and Hinterlands (note: Hinterlands is a trail guide of unofficial/unmarked trails throughout Red River Gorge and recommended only for those who are experienced hikers), and one book called Hiking Kentucky’s Red River Gorge by Sean Patrick Hill.

While hiking past the Huecos, I discovered that I could have accessed them via Rough Trail. Although I appreciated the opportunity to explore the rock shelter prior to continuing the Hueco trail, as well as, testing my navigation skills, I personally would not hike this trail again. Especially now that I know I can access the Huecos from Rough Trail.

Let's talk about an underappreciated trail in the Red River Gorge: The Tower Rock Trail. This is an official trail (#229) off 715 in Red River Gorge. This is a relatively easy loop (.8 mile) that leads up to, and around the base of a massive rock pinnacle known as Tower Rock.

Spanning upward at approximately 90 feet, Tower Rock is said to be possibly one of the first rock climbing locations in Red River Gorge. While the trail doesn’t take you to the top of this rock structure (as the top of the pinnacle is only accessible by climbing with appropriate gear and knowledge of rock climbing), it does take you along a trail that provides views of interesting rock formations.

Once you arrive to the base of Tower Rock, there are many notable formations around Tower Rock and even on Tower Rock, itself. As well, there are some nooks, crannies, and small passages that allow for exploring around the base of Tower Rock. My son, who is 8-years-old, absolutely loved exploring this part of the hike and I would say it would be an enjoyable and manageable hike for most children. Although a shorter hike than I usually prefer while visiting Red River Gorge, this little hidden gem is a keeper on my hiking list for The Red.