I finally got a day off that corresponded with my date. To celebrate, I took him out to Red River Gorge, which he swears that even as a local Kentuckian, he'd never gone hiking at. What's up with that, Mr. Outdoorsman? Even the big city-lovin' girl that I am has been out to the Gorge and I didn't even grow up here! |
On tap for today:
- Auxier Ridge Trail (#204) - a 2.06 mile hike out my favorite ridge in the Gorge
- Auxier Branch Trail (#203) - 0.80 mile connector trail between Auxier Ridge and Double Arch trails.
- Double Arch Trail (#201) - a 2.19 mile out to the arch
- 6 mile loop! Yea that walk back to the car and loop around the Double Arch added some distance
Always my favorite and I'm happy to share it. But hey, I've talked about it before.
Auxier Branch Trail
After a short break at Courthouse Rock, we headed down the trail to the connection with the Auxier Branch trail. While not as well traveled as the Auxier Ridge or Courthouse Rock trails, it's an easy enough trail to follow in most places. It follows the Auxier Branch for a bit and easily be crossed in a couple of sections. That's assuming you can follow it, as in most places erosion and heavy use seems to be an issue. Weird, as it also wasn't very highly traveled. Camping possibly? Or maybe people weren't out when we were.
The trail ends where it meets up with Double Arch trail, and a sign indicates the distance remaining to reach Double Arch. It's short enough at this point you should simply do it, because it's there and alot longer distance if you were to come out and do it again. Ok, I'm lazy. I know.
Double Arch Trail
Ugh, I wish I'd taken more pictures! I have next to zero pictures to share of this trip and only one of the arch itself. What was I thinking? So, everyone will have to deal until I can go back and take pictures.
The walk over from the Auxier Branch Trail to the arch itself was easy enough, we even got to cross a cute little wooden footbridge. It's a short climb to the base of the arch, then a nice adventure up an old wooden staircase. You know them, my favorite un-even, flexible, small ones found all over the Gorge. This particular one was damp and slick and could only fit one person wide. Once to the top, I stopped to catch my breath and enjoy my sandwich while my Date explored a bit around the arch. For some reason, the little climbs we'd been doing all day had really worn me out.
If you're feeling more adventurous than me, you can continue climbing up the rock stairs cut into the arch to the top. I was happy where I was, as there was plenty of a view of the Gorge from under the arch. It was good however to finally see up close the arch that you can see at a distance from Auxier Ridge. I just wish I had taken more pictures. Guess I'll have to go back.
The return trip up Double Arch trail was steep to my out-of-shape self. I need to do more climbs like this so hopefully I won't be out of breathe again. Of course, to gain the road out, I had to climb up yet another set of wooden stairs and switchbacks. And a beautiful little cut through the rocks too that the stairs follow. Gotta love climbing through gaps in the rocks. Of course, after a day full of nice scenery, the walk back on the closed, paved road to the parking lot is a bit of a disappointment. But that's ok. I needed to catch my breathe and my little break at the top of the gorge before walking the rest of the way back wasn't enough.