Indian Staircase Red River Gorge
The best maps by the best publishers. Of the 70 confirmed petroglyph sites in Kentucky, nearly a dozen exist within the Red River Gorge. Log me out when I close my browser. Also, there is another route using the split rock on approach right if you have rudimentary climbing skills. As you may suspect, I survived, and the reward was absolutely worth the risk. We chose to park at the Bison Way trailhead along KY-715, near the Gladie Learning Center. But the trail is very steep. 5 miles you will begin a short but steep climb up to the ridge where you will find several trails intersecting. To some, this naturally formed bench looks like some sort of lizard creature. I knew there was no way I could go any further. Thanks for the article. There are great views across the valley below and of other hikers climbing Indian Staircase. From the parking lot, you can look down and see a nice level trail heading up Gladie Creek. Download professionally curated digital maps on the Avenza Map Store from the best-renowned publishers.
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- Indian staircase red river gorge
Indian Staircase Red River Gorge Hotel
With evidence spearheaded by research conducted specifically at Red River Gorge, archeologists have unearthed a cache of evidence that our ancestors in North Americas Eastern Woodland were also domesticating plants at a large scale. Ticks are very common in the Red River Gorge area during the warmer months. We crossed the creek and headed up the trail to the first arch exit. Engagement Photos by Kevin and Anna Photography. If this scramble is too much for you, skip it. We camped on the top of Indian Staircase and wow, did we have a view for the sunrise and set!
Muir Valley Red River Gorge
Along this stretch of trail is a small off-trail path leading to one of the areas largest rock shelters, named the Sand Castle, and a bonus arch, Sheltowee Shelf Arch. They're one of Kentucky's underappreciated creatures, cousins to the Texas Horned Toad. If you're bringing a group of kids with little climbing experience, a climbing rope might be prudent. A hike on the ST, Bison Way, and Suspension Bridge TrailsFrom the Bison Way parking I toured the pleasant grounds of Gladie Creek, where the USFS has a preserved cabin and Native American encampment on the Red River. After reaching the top of Cloud Splitter, Kevin and I (Anna) asked if we could get a picture at the overlook. CAUTION - Scramble at Indian Staircase. I have also watched people walk up the cliff and exclaim that it was a walk in the park.
Indian Staircase Red River Gorge Scramble
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. Cloud Splitter to Indian Staircase | 9 Mile Loop. What you get with Avenza Maps. The sandstone was warm from the morning sun despite the hazy mist and cloud cover. A better option is to take the Adena Arch trail which is significantly less frequented and provides a couple of sites that are a good option. People who climb the same things as you. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Needless to say, this part of the journey would be uncomfortable for a person of size or anyone who feels apprehensive in small, confined spaces. Regardless of which route you follow, I also recommend taking the unofficial side trail (one mile round trip) out to Adena Arch which boasts some spectacular views of its own. At the trail junction I turn LEFT to head back the way we came up from Sky Bridge Rd and continue along the Sheltowee Trace Trail east towards the Indian Staircase.
Red River Gorge Indian Staircase
We closed the day with a McDonald's lunch at Stanton and a Cotton Candy Blizzard from Dairy Queen to stop their discussions of food. Continue until joining the Sheltowee Trace and turn left. Despite some thorough research, my friends and I accidentally hiked around the backside of this section of the gorge and came out on top of Indian Staircase. They can't see where to put their feet when turned around facing the boulder surface, and they get dizzy looking down doing the butt scoot maneuver. The first mile of the hike is a steady uphill climb through a combination of natural inclines and manmade staircases. The massive Rock Shelter (100yds by 60ft) of the Adena Indians. No comments posted yet. Matt got down on one knee and asked Carson to marry him. 17 miles long, the Cloud Splitter Trail is unmistakable and easy to discern as it is heavily eroded with deep trenches and gnarled tree roots sprouting in every direction. I told the kids to be sure and not mention this trail to Lexie's mother because she would kill us all and they agreed not to tell her. The view from the top is breathtaking!
Indian Staircase Trail Red River Gorge
You'll see a couple ropes to use to climb up. There are not many good spots to obtain water on this hike as the majority of it is along sandstone cliffs. Luckily forest service crews were able to contain the fire to 200 acres. The scenery offers spectacular views and photograph opps. So I am sure that no one else will either. Indian Arch is a major intersection for the Sheltowee Trace and the unofficial trail system in this area.
Indian Staircase Red River Gorge
Earlier this year, the arch was heavily vandalized with graffiti which prompted the Forest Service to limit access to the cave. I turned to watch Monique and Ethan come up with ease, neither faltering as they scrambled. It's one of those truly special experiences that's difficult to capture in words or photos and impossible to comprehend unless you're there in person to take it all in. Notice over to the right (as you look back down on the Staircase), tiny Baby Arch (shown below left). 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.
I had not traveled this trail but I knew of its existence and the general route that it followed. Keep me logged in all the time. As an added bonus, the digital map on my phone depicts the exact location of the famous Cloud Splitter Shortcut Trail found just below the summit along Sky Bridge Road 715. The whining and complaining along this last downhill section was great as the little green briars and holly trees welcomed all those who had on shorts with open arms. The Forest Service apparently wants as few people as possible finding this place. We made it to the first scramble thinking, "it can't be that bad, " quickly changed our minds, and retreated to safety without seeing the beginning of the second scramble. Walking over to the arch opening reveals a sizable cave hidden below, which opens up to a large overlook.