Indian Staircase Loop And Campsite Exploring

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Always treat/filter any water collected before consuming. I had to stretch my legs to reach the second level to the base of the third scramble. Anyway, anyone with basic body balance and rock climbing skill can easily work their way up the "boulder" to the plateau above, which offers scenic views in three directions and a photogenic forest plateau behind (shown below)). The bluffs were dynamic, beautiful, and overwhelming. We decided to venture through the cave first, enticed by rumors we'd heard about the view from the opening on the other side. Monique took in the views around us. We passed (to my displeasure) the Crawling Man Arch exit and Sergant Branch Double Arch exit and worked out way on to the trail that exits to the right and on up the point to the Indian Staircase. Indian Staircase, Red River Gorge. Getting back on track, the next landmark on my agenda is an oldie, but a goodie….

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Red River Gorge Indian Staircase

You'll walk along massive boulders, and eventually start your way up the rocks, you will walk up several "stairs" worn into the rocks, before you reach the main set! One instance of rerouting took me up the minor tributary of Greasy Branch to coincidentally discover another arch, Sheltowee Arch. You'll see a couple ropes to use to climb up. To say the least, getting through the cave involved more climbing and crawling than hiking. You'll see a well worn trail on your left with a very sharp turn. If you're not confident in your ability to do this, then take the upper trail, which begins at the left corner of the parking lot. We were so excited when our friend Matt called us to tell us that he was going to propose to his girlfriend, Carson, in the Red River Gorge. If backcountry camping, be sure to stop at the Shell Station or the Gladie learning center to get a permit. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. My latest trip to the Gorge was a Friday, June 17, 2016 trip to one of my favorite areas with one little change. It will bring you to the top of Indian Staircase. The top of Cloud Splitter provides a spectacular 360 degree view of Red River Gorge. Taken on September 24, 2011. The Sheltowee Trace Association maintains and actively builds new sections of this trail, but their work crew programs don't begin until mid-spring.

Retrace your steps and follow Sheltowee Trace until reaching the turn to Cloudsplitter that is recognized by a wide user trail with a CS carved in a tree (BTW, never carve trees or rock). I cut my teeth earlier in the season by hiking the Unofficial Copperas Creek Trail just to get a taste for off-trail exploring before attempting this hike. Started by a U. S. Forest Service landscape architect named Verne Orndof in the 1970's, the trail was inspired by some of the long distance foot paths pioneered by the Sierra Club on the east and west coasts of America. It all depends on your personal level of comfort and skill. The unmarked trail heading uphill to your right is Indian Staircase Trail. Just a stones throw from Shawnee Arch is the end of our trek at the top of Indian Staircase. Engagement Ring: One Way Imports in Melbourne, FL.

Indian Staircase Red River Gorge

Again, I have seen some climb in slick soled shoes, which creates a danger for them and for those climbing behind them. From there, continue around a short distance before finding a large bald area at the top of Indian Staircase. What you get with Avenza Maps. This is where things can get a little confusing without the aid of a GPS Navigation App.

From this angle, you will be amazed that you walked up that cliff! If you're trying to make life easy, like most hikers, you'll turn left, follow the rock base around 20 or 30 steps, and come to a low ledge you can scramble up to. It is a broadly held belief that Council Chamber was one of the main settlements of the Adena Culture Peoples while they lived in the Red River Gorge. In return, you'll receive news with an edge and the latest on where to eat, drink and hang out in Derby City.

Indian Staircase Red River Gorge Ky

The view down from on the Indian Staircase. Leaving Cloud Splitter, I carefully retrace my steps off the mountain and head back to the Sheltowee Trace Trail. A fence lizard can be really beautiful. This is going to intersect again with the Sheltowee Trace Trail. There's plenty of bald sand and rock to hike here. If you camp on top of Cloudsplitter under the right weather conditions you will be handsomely rewarded at sun rise! We walked back to the car in silence. We took photos of the group throughout the day so that it wouldn't make Carson question why we had our cameras on the trail. Directly under the seasonal waterfall is a concave dome similar to those found in Mammoth Cave National Park. This helped earn the arch its more popular nickname, Gnome Arch. You can always simply go back the way you came! The spring and fall are the best times to visit as it can be very hot and muggy in the summer.

The name came from the belief that native Americans etched those foot holes theirselves. Notice over to the right (as you look back down on the Staircase), tiny Baby Arch (shown below left). It'll take 30 to 45 minutes to navigate your way to Cloudsplitter without a trail. I look forward to another hike on this route, not only to venture into these unexplored areas, but also to give the staircase a better assessment without the first-time intimidation factor, and to take more photographs documenting the climb. Topping the Indian Staircase just after sunrise and yelling into the box canyon below, an experience that just can't be beat. Starting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210.

Indian Staircase Red River Gorge Directions

Stay alert on the trail, as snakes are commonly found taking in the warmth of the trail. Logistics: Red River Gorge is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and is therefore administered by the National Forest Service. CAUTION - Scramble at Cloudsplitter. Once at the top of the ridge the trails become somewhat hard to follow as there are many social trails leading to various campsites. It's appearance as two pointed cat ears have spawned a litany of nicknames including Cat Ears, Cats Eyes, and Little Adena. Do not venture out alone. When descending, crab-walking is the way to go - keep your butt near the ground and use all fours to walk it down making sure to place your heel squarely within each of the 'stairs'. The white-haired goldenrod is an endemic and rare species - it only grows in rock shelters at Red River Gorge.

Larger than a football field, it was used by the Adena for milennia. The slope is not as steep as it first seems, and the climb does not take ropes or climbing gear, but the completely exposed face adds a major intimidation factor. The echo from this place is amazing, you can hear your voice call back not only once, but twice! We made it to the Stairs and started up. All throughout the face of this cliff as it extends to Indian Staircase are a series of shallow caves that were used as cliff dwellings by prehistoric people. Descend carefully (crabwalking preferred) while maintaining a low center of gravity and three points of contact at all times. But we've had plenty of people look down and even take photos along the way, and they were fine. Reliable mapping tools. At various points, the safest path is to switchback to find more level, less intense grading. Some adults may also be intimidated trying to climb the staircase. Do not bring animals on this trail.

Indian Creek Lodge Red River Gorge

They say his survival after a 170-foot drop was "nothing short of a miracle. There are established campsites in the backcountry that should be used in order to minimize the impact on the land and all campsites are on a first-come first-served basis. Even on a cloudy day, the well worn path with its signature notches is clearly visible from several miles away. Just look for a clearing with a wide trail leading away from the arch. The biggest problem we've seen has been people trying to go up wearing thongs, Crocs, or other substandard shoes.

From here, turn north (left) to cross KY-715 and continue on Sheltowee Trace to approximately mile 4. Once you're up against the cliff wall, continue looking up and to the right to see Indian Arch from below. You will walk through dense forests, rich in Hemlock and Mountain Laurel. Unless you were lucky enough to travel with two cars, leaving one at Bison Way Trailhead, you'll have to travel back the way you came from Cloud Splitter to finish this hike. The views begin to emerge as you climb above the trees. They're one of Kentucky's underappreciated creatures, cousins to the Texas Horned Toad. On a good day when the water is flowing, one can hear Council Chamber Falls as they're approaching, clueing hikers in to its location. Recommended Duration: 2 days/1 night. This double span is located midway along the climb to Indian Arch. Another reason I wanted to take on this trail was for the famous "frog knob". People who climb the same things as you.