Weekend Gem: RRG’s Sheltowee and Clifty Loop
Imposing cliffs by Cloud Splitter
After a crazy couple of months, I pulled into Lexington Kentucky to spend some time with my Brother as he starts a new family. Needless to say, I needed to get back out to the wilderness for an extended trip to become acclimated with my new home. I started out this 24.5mi. trip in the Red River Gorge, soaking it in for a 2 nighter. Starting out at Koomer Ridge CG, I headed out along the ridge to meet Chimney Top Creek and the Sheltowee TR where I made a right and headed north on this legendary track. Crossing the Creek twice, you head under Chimney Rock and over the Red River on a cool suspension bridge that occasionally make an unsettling creaking sound making me wonder about it’s longevity. Next, the Sheltowee snakes steadily uphill under Cloud Splitter, which warrants a side trip if you have not seen the view before. A side trail heads left off the main tread next to a snag marked with a obvious CS on it. This section of trail is between is particularly scenic with lots of cool cliffs and rock shelters to check out. The climbing stops near photogenic Indian Arch before decending down a well constructed staircase passing a maze of way trails on the left for the Indian Staircase. This rocky slab is also a great side trip, but better saved for a day hike when you don’t have lug a pack up it and backtrack up the trail. Passing Bison Way TR, you leave the crowds behind as you head into deeper wilderness. Cross a gang of small streams heading from higher ground before settling for a amazing spot in a mini U shaped valley before crossing Salt Creek to the left of the trail.
Nice vistas atop the Indian Staircase
A lone conifer finds a home along a rocky outcropping
Cool rock shelters along the Sheltowee
Morning light sifts across Chimney Top Creek
Inspecting Indian Arch
Travel along cliff edges
After crossing Salt Creek, you hit an intersection with the Lost Branch TR and make that right, leaving the Sheltowee wondering what other treasures it holds further north. Soon, you cross Gladie Creek as the once scenic trail joins an old logging road that heads uphill steadily. Once up a small grade, the trail cruises along to an intersection for the two forks of Osborn Bend. One fork to the right says Sal Branch and the other Red River, take the RR one. This trail stays mostly in the woods for its duration, but gets more scenic as it nears the road and the River. In one part, you pop out onto another old road where a Forest Service sign directs you to make a left, don’t do it and stay to the right following blazes downhill. Once at RD. 715, head over the concrete bridge over the Red and head uphill watching for cars on this short, but inevitable road walk to connect trails together. Soon, you reach a fork where you head left past Whistling Arch to a TH marked Swift Camp and Rough TR where you stay right on the Rough TR marked Koomer Ridge. Drop down to Parched Corn Creek where nice, but small camps can be found to the left of the trail. The trail then climbs to a nice plateau of sorts that has great dry camps well off the trail to the right, my home for the night. Cross Chimney Top Rd. and head past Stereo Cove, a cozy rock shelter to the right of the trail. Cross Chimney Top Creek for a final time before making a left on the Koomer Ridge TR that takes you back to your ride at the campground. Take a load off at your car while recognizing how nice it is having the Gorge so close to Lexington, what a treasure!
Open forest views on the Osborn TR.
A lone fern decorates a glacial erratic