Stone
arches grace Red River Gorge in Kentucky
Geological wonders are so spread out, it would take more than two days to see them.
By Bob Downing
Akron Beacon Journal
July 11, 2004
SLADE, Ky. -- Armed with a new $10.82 topographic map, I thought I was prepared to tackle the Red River Gorge
with its impressive stone arches.
But Kentucky's Red River Gorge defies mapping.
The best advice is to do your homework, determine what you want to see in the time allowed and plan the logistics.
The Red River Gorge, about 50 minutes southeast of Lexington, Ky., (240 miles from Indianapolis via I-74 east and
I-75 south) is big, and the attractions are spread out. That means you have to work to see the sites. That might
mean hiking in or driving along gravel U.S. Forest Service roads to see selected sites. You won't see everything
worth seeing in two or three days. It would take longer.
The 25,630-acre Red River Gorge Geological Area in Powell, Menifee and Wolfe counties arches were sculpted by
water and wind 70 million years ago and are the result of the resistance of sandstone to erosion as softer rocks
below washed away.
Natural arches
The gorge, with the greatest concentration of arches and natural bridges east of the Rocky Mountains, is known
for its number, size and variety of its arches. It is a rugged place with deep canyons and striking rim rock cliffs
with up to 200 feet of exposed rock in places.
The rock gets its distinctive reddish color from an iron oxide called limonite. It also helped cement sand and
pebbles into hard conglomerate rock.
The gorge, a National Natural Landmark, is also known for its unusual vegetation and is heavily forested.
The gorge is actually a combination of lands starting with the Red River Gorge Geological Area, along with
adjoining Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the federally protected Clifty Wilderness that covers 13,300 acres.
One way to see the gorge, especially for first-time visitors, is to get a detailed map and do a drive-it-yourself
circular motor tour that will cover about 50 miles.
There are more than 60 miles of trails, some leading to specific arches and some connecting with other trails
to create longer hiking and backpacking options.
Most of the 31 trails are short. In all, 36 miles of the trail loops -- they are all named and numbered -- have
been designated the Red River Gorge National Recreational Trail.
Back-country camping is permitted away from trails, roads and rock shelters.
The gorge is also a top attraction for climbers with its cliffs and rocky outcroppings.
Archaeological artifacts
There are plenty of archaeological sites in the gorge. Visitors are asked not to disturb any archaeological
sites discovered. It is illegal to remove any artifacts from the gorge.
One of the most accessible and most visited arches is Sky Bridge. It is 74 feet long and 23 feet high and a
short hike after a five-mile drive down state Route 715. You can hike out to the arch and to a scenic
overlook that provides an impressive vista of the arch and the surrounding wild country.
Not far away is Chimney Top Rock. It requires a short hike along a paved walkway after driving to the site.
The overlook offers views of Chimney Top Rock, Cloud Splitter Rock, Half Moon Rock and Pinch 'Em Tight Gap.
Some of the arches are far more inaccessible. Gray's Arch was a personal favorite. It requires a short
2.2-mile round-trip hike. You hike through an upland pine-hardwood forest and then descend into a moist
cove to the base of the arch.
Write to Natural Bridge State Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Road, Slade, KY 40376, or call (800) 325-1710
Geological wonders are so spread out, it would take more than two days to see them.
By Bob Downing
Akron Beacon Journal
July 11, 2004
SLADE, Ky. -- Armed with a new $10.82 topographic map, I thought I was prepared to tackle the Red River Gorge
with its impressive stone arches.
But Kentucky's Red River Gorge defies mapping.
The best advice is to do your homework, determine what you want to see in the time allowed and plan the logistics.
The Red River Gorge, about 50 minutes southeast of Lexington, Ky., (240 miles from Indianapolis via I-74 east and
I-75 south) is big, and the attractions are spread out. That means you have to work to see the sites. That might
mean hiking in or driving along gravel U.S. Forest Service roads to see selected sites. You won't see everything
worth seeing in two or three days. It would take longer.
The 25,630-acre Red River Gorge Geological Area in Powell, Menifee and Wolfe counties arches were sculpted by
water and wind 70 million years ago and are the result of the resistance of sandstone to erosion as softer rocks
below washed away.
Natural arches
The gorge, with the greatest concentration of arches and natural bridges east of the Rocky Mountains, is known
for its number, size and variety of its arches. It is a rugged place with deep canyons and striking rim rock cliffs
with up to 200 feet of exposed rock in places.
The rock gets its distinctive reddish color from an iron oxide called limonite. It also helped cement sand and
pebbles into hard conglomerate rock.
The gorge, a National Natural Landmark, is also known for its unusual vegetation and is heavily forested.
The gorge is actually a combination of lands starting with the Red River Gorge Geological Area, along with
adjoining Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the federally protected Clifty Wilderness that covers 13,300 acres.
One way to see the gorge, especially for first-time visitors, is to get a detailed map and do a drive-it-yourself
circular motor tour that will cover about 50 miles.
There are more than 60 miles of trails, some leading to specific arches and some connecting with other trails
to create longer hiking and backpacking options.
Most of the 31 trails are short. In all, 36 miles of the trail loops -- they are all named and numbered -- have
been designated the Red River Gorge National Recreational Trail.
Back-country camping is permitted away from trails, roads and rock shelters.
The gorge is also a top attraction for climbers with its cliffs and rocky outcroppings.
Archaeological artifacts
There are plenty of archaeological sites in the gorge. Visitors are asked not to disturb any archaeological
sites discovered. It is illegal to remove any artifacts from the gorge.
One of the most accessible and most visited arches is Sky Bridge. It is 74 feet long and 23 feet high and a
short hike after a five-mile drive down state Route 715. You can hike out to the arch and to a scenic
overlook that provides an impressive vista of the arch and the surrounding wild country.
Not far away is Chimney Top Rock. It requires a short hike along a paved walkway after driving to the site.
The overlook offers views of Chimney Top Rock, Cloud Splitter Rock, Half Moon Rock and Pinch 'Em Tight Gap.
Some of the arches are far more inaccessible. Gray's Arch was a personal favorite. It requires a short
2.2-mile round-trip hike. You hike through an upland pine-hardwood forest and then descend into a moist
cove to the base of the arch.
Write to Natural Bridge State Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Road, Slade, KY 40376, or call (800) 325-1710
