I’m planning a comprehensive packrafting and hiking route of Red River Gorge (KY) to be executed this May. I spent a few days scouting possibilities over the weekend. This was my second real scouting trip down there, but also my 15th, as I’ve been gaining memories and taking notes on my trips there for quite a few years now. Owning a packraft has opened up The Gorge in a new way for me, making possible loops of a different caliber than could be attained only through hiking. Photos are from the last two scouting trips, and each location will be included in the final route.
I arrived around noon on Saturday, later than I had planned. Crossing the footbridge and hiking north on the Sheltowee Trace Trail soon found me on top of Cloudsplitter. Continuing down the trail, I was able to find the unofficial route up onto the upper plateau, and back down the Indian Staircase. The graupel that was falling in the 35 degree air kept me from gaining the footing that I wanted to descend it, so I stayed high and descended back to the trail from the next ridge east, which was not an easier descent.
I put the Curiyak in on Gladie Creek at Salt Fork as the short January day was dimming. When I finally mistook a section of three inch deep water for what looked like fun waves, I knew it was too dark to continue down Gladie and made camp on the bank.
The next morning I got back on the water and floated back to the car. The three-ish lower miles of Gladie Creek were easily raftable, with only a few butt-scoots and strainer portages required. For comparison, the Red was running between 380cfs and 180cfs this weekend.
Driving to Martin’s Fork Trailhead, I began probably the most scenic short packrafting loop in the Red River Gorge. It’s only a short float from where KY 77 crosses the Red River to just north of Courthouse Rock, but then the real scenery began. I hiked off trail to the north and then west of Courthouse Rock, and then ascended the trail to the top. Courthouse Rock is climbable in trail runners, so of course I climbed it.
Hiking south on the Auxier Ridge Trail, I soon passed a couple dozen weekend hikers, some with RC cars. Ok, it’s my first time seeing that. There is a ridge between the Auxier Ridge trailhead and Martin’s Fork trailhead that has no marked trails. I was prepared for some heavy bushwhacking through the recently burned area, but I almost shouted for joy when I realized there is an excellent unmarked trail that goes the entire way, with a few more great views and a couple low-exposure rock scrambles. Car to car in six hours, without too much hurry. That’s a great loop there.
The next day was spent checking out a few more details like a visit to Hopewell Arch and another short raft between Eagle Point Overlook and the Copperas Creek takeout. Then I put on some deodorant and headed home.
This expedition in May should be an amazing trip. I honestly can’t imagine a more scenic way to see what the Red River Gorge has to offer than the route I have planned. Now I’m just waiting for some greenery to return, and rain.
