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Red River Gorge
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Multiple downed trees on trails in Red River Gorge

Friday, February 21, 2014

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After two weeks of road closures due to ice, snow and downed trees, some Forest Service roads remain closed in the Red River Gorge. High winds from Thursday night’s storm brought down additional trees along some roadways.

The gravel roads to Indian Creek, Chimney Top and Rock Bridge will remain closed until fallen trees are cleared and road surfaces are dry enough to withstand rutting from vehicle traffic.Visitors, however, may park and walk into these areas.

The roads that are currently reopened in the gorge are Tunnel Ridge, Sky Bridge and most of Koomer Ridge Campground. Some campsites will remain closed until they are cleared of downed trees and woody debris.

National forest visitors should be aware that gravel roads and parking lots may be soft with the potential for some vehicles getting stuck or slipping in mud.

Hikers in the gorge will likely experience multiple downed trees along the trails.The trails have not yet been assessed, but most damage is expected along ridge-top trails where ice accumulated more heavily. Hikers should continue to watch for thawing and falling icicles along the cliffs.

For updated information contact the Gladie Learning Center at 606-663-8100 or visit the Daniel Boone National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/dbnf/home.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Living Archaeology Weekend at Red River Gorge

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

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The 25th anniversary of the Living Archaeology Weekend is set to celebrate Kentucky’s historic and prehistoric past. Since 1989, this annual event has illustrated the cultural practices of Native Americans and early pioneers.

This two-day event will take place at the Gladie Learning Center in the Red River Gorge.

Specialists at the event demonstrate how to make stone tools, tan animal hides and throw spears with an atlatl. Pottery, basketry and native cooking are also featured. Spinning, quilting and corn grinding are displayed at the nearby Gladie cabin.

Representatives from the Absentee Shawnee Tribe and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee will be among the program participants. The Absentee Shawnee will exhibit current items that represent their culture and perform a traditional stomp dance. The United Keetoowah Band will demonstrate their traditional games of stickball and marbles.

On Friday, September 20 the program demonstrations are for fifth-grade students only from school groups that are pre-registered to attend. During this time, the event serves as an outdoor classroom to help students better understand their textbook studies concerning Native Americans, pioneers and cultural heritage.

On Saturday, September 21 the event is open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The Daniel Boone National Forest presents this special event in cooperation with the Kentucky Organization of Professional Archaeologists and the Kentucky Archaeological Survey. Other sponsors of the event include the Red River Historical Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, Kentucky Heritage Council, University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology, Western Kentucky University, Weisenberger Mills, Frenchburg Job Corps, and the Red River Historical Society and Museum.

For more information, visit the Daniel Boone National Forest website or contact the Gladie Center at (606) 663-8100.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Forest Service proposes fee increase for Koomer Ridge Campground

Thursday, April 4, 2013

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U.S. Forest Service recreation managers are proposing a fee increase at the Koomer Ridge Campground in the Red River Gorge. The current camping fee was implemented in year 2000.

The winter camping fee would increase from $7 to $10 in November 2013. The fee would increase to $14 in November 2015.

The fee increase is proposed to help fund campground maintenance and improvements. Some recent improvements at Koomer Ridge include a year-round water system, new signage, amphitheater restoration and campsite renovations.

The fee change proposal will be presented to a citizen advisory committee for review. The committee members represent various recreational interests. Their primary functions are to ensure reasonable fee changes and address public concerns.

Anyone can attend and comment at the committee meetings. The next meeting time and location will be announced soon.

In 2004, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows the Forest Service to keep 95 percent of recreation fees collected and use these funds to operate, maintain and improve the sites.

For more information, or to provide comments, contact Recreation Manager Lee Breth with the Cumberland Ranger District at 606-784-6428.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Proposed Fee Change for Koomer Ridge Campground in Red River Gorge

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

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I beginning to sense a trend...

The Daniel Boone National Forest has announced a proposed change to the winter use fee at the Koomer Ridge Campground in the Red River Gorge. The proposed change would increase the nightly fee to $10.00 from November to mid-April. The current rate is $7.00 per night. The proposed change would take effect beginning in November of 2013. Interagency Senior and Access Passes will continue to be honored.

From mid-April to November, Koomer Ridge is operated by Thousand Trails concession. During this season fees are set by the concessionaire.

For additional information, or to make a comment concerning the new proposal, contact the Cumberland Ranger District at 606-663-8100.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Daniel Boone National Forest Waives Fees for Veterans Day

Friday, November 2, 2012

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In honor of Veterans Day, the Daniel Boone National Forest in central Kentucky is waiving fees at several recreation areas. The fee waivers apply to all forest visitors at designated locations.

Camping fees are waived at the following national forest locations on Friday, November 9 through Monday, November 12:

* Red River Gorge in Powell, Menifee and Wolfe counties
* Koomer Ridge Campground, Wolfe County
* Barren Fork Horse Camp, McCreary County
* White Sulphur Horse Camp, Bath County
* Clear Creek Campground, Bath County
* Bee Rock Campground, Laurel and Pulaski counties
* Claylick Boat-in Campground, Rowan County

Recreation fees are waived Saturday, Sunday and Monday (November 10-12) at the following day use sites:

* Redbird Crest Trail, Clay and Leslie counties
* Clear Creek Shooting Range, Bath County
* Appletree Shooting Range, McCreary County
* Laurel River Lake boat ramps, Laurel and Whitley counties
* Cave Run Lake boat ramps, Bath and Menifee counties
* Natural Arch Scenic Area, McCreary County

In the Red River Gorge area, no fee permit is required for campers at Koomer Ridge Campground or in the backcountry on national forest lands.

At Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake, all boat ramps may be used free of charge.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Preservation group awards Daniel Boone N.F. for rock shelter protection efforts

Saturday, October 1, 2011

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On Thursday, September 22, Preservation Kentucky recognized the Daniel Boone National Forest for achievements in protecting cliff rock shelters in the Red River Gorge.

State and federal archaeologists joined other resource management officials for a brief ceremony. Forest Supervisor Frank Beum accepted the award on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service.

“Preservation Kentucky is proud to recognize the U.S. Forest Service's great efforts to preserve these important prehistoric and historic places on national forest lands,” said PK Executive Director Rachel Kennedy.

“Because of their leadership in this effort, we presented a Best Practices Award to the U.S. Forest Service. We hope that others can follow their lead and protect these invaluable resources for future generations.”

In the Red River Gorge, archaeological evidence indicates human inhabitance of rock shelters beginning at least 12,000 years ago. The artifacts found at these sites represent the daily lives of Native Americans who once lived in Kentucky. Rock shelters also include the remains of many historic period industries, such as saltpeter mining and moonshining.

The examination of rock shelters in the gorge indicate that Native Americans began domesticating plants as food crops more than 3,700 years ago. Scientists often rely on the archaeological resources of the Red River Gorge to address the origins of agriculture in eastern North America.

In 2000, the Forest Service closed all rock shelters in the Red River Gorge to camping. In 2011, all rock shelters occurring in the Daniel Boone National Forest were closed to camping in an effort to preserve these fragile sites.

At the Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning Center in the gorge, the Forest Service interprets the significance of rock shelters for visitors. The center is host to the annual Living Archaeology Weekend, which took place over the weekend.

Thursday’s award ceremony was attended by representatives from the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Heritage Council/Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office, Frenchburg Job Corps, Forest Service and Preservation Kentucky.

Preservation Kentucky is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Kentucky’s historic resources through education and advocacy. They sponsor the “Most Endangered Historic and Prehistoric Places” list every year to highlight trends and threats to historic preservation in the Commonwealth. This year, the list included archaeological resources.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Temporary Road Closures Scheduled for Red River Gorge

Sunday, July 10, 2011

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The Daniel Boone National Forest is alerting visitors to the Red River Gorge area of a series of temporary road closures for the upcoming week:

* July 12 - KY 77 (between KY 715 and Frenchburg Job Corps Center) will be closed for construction.

* July 13 - KY 715 at Wolfpen culvert (between KY 77 and Gladie Learning Center) will be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* July 15 - KY 715 at Wolfpen culvert will be closed approximately 3 hours


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Hiking and backpacking in the Red River Gorge

Thursday, May 12, 2011

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“The amount of use in the Red per square foot far exceeds most other national forest units and is actually on par with most national park units,” says Charlie Rowe, a forest service ranger who leads a volunteer maintenance crew inside the Red.

Last week I posted a blog about our recent hike along the Auxier Ridge Trail in the Red River Gorge. Coincidentally, in the latest issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, is a feature article about the Gorge, The mag provides a good overview of the national geological area in eastern Kentucky, and includes recommendations for day hiking and backpacking to some of the best destinations in the Red.

I thought the quote from the article (italicized above) offered a pretty interesting stat that I had never heard. The statistic is even more amazing when you consider that the Gorge was almost destroyed by the Army Corp of Engineers in the early 1960s. In order to stop the periodic flooding of towns downstream, the Corp proposed to build a dam that would've transformed the Gorge into a large lake. The battle to "Save the Red River Gorge" lasted for decades, and included a Dam Protest Hike on November 18, 1967. Participating in this hike was Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, which helped to draw national attention to the situation.

The battle to save the Gorge was effectively won when the Red River was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River on December 3, 1993.

You can read the full BRO article by clicking here.

For more information about the Gorge, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Return to the Red

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

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It’s been awhile since I’ve done any real hiking. My wife - and hiking partner - suffered a stress fracture in her foot back in December, and she’s just now getting back to 100% and feeling confident enough to go hiking again.

Over the weekend we decided we were going to head over to Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest – a place where both of us discovered our love for hiking way back in the 20th Century – and many years before we ever meet. Although both of us have hiked in the Gorge on many occasions, it’s been several years since our last visit.

There are a lot of great destinations in Red River Gorge, but Auxier Ridge has always been a favorite of mine. On this visit we decided we were going to hike the loop that follows the Auxier Ridge Trail #204 and the Courthouse Rock Trail #202.

I was particularly interested in seeing what kind of devastation was wrought on the Auxier Ridge area after a wildfire burned 1640 acres back in late October of last year. The fire was illegally set during a declared fire ban after a summer-long drought – the result of a campfire that got away from three campers during the middle of the night. The area was reopened in March after being closed for five months while Forest Service crews made trail repairs and removed fire-damaged trees along roads and trails that were unstable and dangerous.

Based on all the reports I read about the fire I was expecting to see an area that looked something like Yellowstone after the infamous 1988 fire. However, I was quite surprised to see how little damage actually occurred along the trail, or within any part of the viewshed. Yes, there were a handful of burned out portions along the trail, such as in the photo below, but most were very small areas.

During our hike we saw many varieties of wildflowers, including several yellow and pink lady’s slippers:

The highlights of the loop arrive while walking along Auxier Ridge, which offers multiple vantage points for viewing several interesting rock formations. The southern end of the ridge provides a commanding view of Courthouse Rock (on the left in the photo below):

Looking west, towards the ridgeline running parallel to Auxier Ridge, you’ll see Double Arch:

The southern half of the ridge also provides outstanding views of Haystack Rock (on the right in the photo below):

At several points along the trail Auxier Ridge narrows to just 20 or 30 feet, providing nearly 360 degree views:


Coincidentally, about a week prior to our hike, I was contacted by a member of the Bluegrass Group of the Sierra Club asking if I could link to a book they recently published called Hiking the Red: A Complete Trail Guide to Kentucky's Red River Gorge.

If you’re interested in exploring this National Geological Area in central Kentucky, the book provides detailed descriptions for 26 trails in Red River Gorge, and 9 trails at nearby Natural Bridge State Park. The book includes a short history of the Gorge, information on the flora and fauna of the area, as well as handy bird and wildflower checklists. Proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the conservation efforts of the Sierra Club, Bluegrass Group.


Auxier Ridge / Courthouse Rock LoopDistance: 5.0 Miles
Elevation Gain: Roughly 500 Feet



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Auxier Ridge in Red River Gorge reopens after wildfire

Friday, March 25, 2011

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Effective today, the Auxier Ridge area of the Red River Gorge is reopened to the public, including Tunnel Ridge Road and all trails.

Forest Supervisor Frank Beum of the Daniel Boone National Forest ordered the Auxier Ridge area closed last October after a destructive wildfire burned 1,640 acres. The fire was illegally set during a declared fire ban under drought conditions.

“Since the wildfire, we have been working to restore the Auxier Ridge area and make it safe for visitors,” said Dave Manner, District Ranger of the Cumberland Ranger District.

“We have removed numerous fire-damaged trees along roads and trails,” said Manner. “Other work has included soil stabilization and trail repairs where the soil collapsed or eroded.”

Following the Auxier Ridge wildfire, Forest Service specialists spent several weeks assessing resource damages on soil, water and vegetation. Along the ridge tops, where the fire burned extremely hot, the damages were extensive.

Under exceeding drought conditions last October, the fire burned tree roots underground, causing trees to fall or become unstable. The burned tree roots caused soil to collapse, creating trenches across some trails.

In some areas, burned-out stump holes were nearly two feet deep. Trees and rocks slid downhill, requiring extensive cleanup efforts.

Throughout the Auxier Ridge area, trees remain standing but damaged. Many trees are nearly severed at the base, which could become hazardous during high wind.

“When entering the general forest area of Auxier Ridge, away from roads and trails, visitors will need to use caution and watch for trees that could break or fall,” added Manner. “You especially want to look for potentially hazardous trees when selecting a backcountry campsite.”

No fires bans are declared at this time in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

The three individuals who were responsible for the fire (via an illegal campfire), have never been caught.

For more information on hiking in Red River Gorge, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Hiker falls to death in Red River Gorge

Monday, December 6, 2010

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WAVE3 TV in Louisville is reporting that a hiker fell to his death in Red River Gorge this past weekend. State police say 44-year-old John W. Pacey of Waynesville, Ohio was found near the Chimney Top Road area late Friday night.

Investigators say Pacey was walking a narrow trail with friends when he lost his balance and fell about 150 feet down an embankment.

Emergency responders declared the Waynesville, Ohio, resident dead at the scene of the accident.

The accident remains under investigation.

Pacey is the second Ohio man to die in the Gorge this year. Ronald J. Trick, of Powell, Ohio, fell to his death in February in a similar accident.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Update on Red River Gorge wildfire

Saturday, November 13, 2010

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A wildfire that began three weeks ago in the Red River Gorge is nearly 100% contained, but there are still a few areas that continue to smolder. The blaze that began after a campfire got out of control has burned roughly 1,650 acres in the Auxier Ridge area of the Gorge, which is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest of east-central Kentucky.

Seventy-five firefighters and a helicopter were needed to suppress flames that reached as much as 40 feet high in some places. An entire section of the Gorge was closed, including the popular Tunnel Ridge Road, as well as a part of Ky. 77 from Nada Tunnel to the Martin's Fork parking area.

Yesterday morning U.S. Forest Service officials reopened a portion of Tunnel Ridge Road as well as several trails in the area.

All trails in the Grays Arch area off Tunnel Ridge Road are open to hikers except for Rush Ridge Trail #227. Tunnel Ridge Road remains closed past the Grays Arch Trailhead. The Auxier Ridge area, including the trail system, will remain closed while the roads and trails are assessed for damages and potential safety hazards.

The extremely dry weather conditions caused the wildfires to burn unusually hot, causing trees to burn at the base and fall across the roads and trails. Along some trails, the trail tread is damaged where the fire burned tree roots underground, leaving large holes.

A fire ban remains in effect for the Red River Gorge. No campfires or other open flames are currently permitted. The fine for having a fire on national forest lands during a declared fire ban is $500 minimum and a mandatory appearance in federal court. Up to six months imprisonment also may be incurred. Individuals who allow a campfire to escape and result in a wildfire may be required to pay restitution for suppression costs.

The U.S. Forest Service is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to conviction of the individuals responsible for the escaped campfire on Auxier Ridge.

Click here for a map of the area still impacted by the closures.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Surveillance video captures Red River Gorge fire suspects

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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U.S. Forest Service investigators are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those causing a wildfire in the Red River Gorge. The men in the photographs below are believed to be two of three individuals responsible for the fire that has closed nearly 3,000 acres on Auxier Ridge. The Forest Service is seeking help in identifying these men.

The wildfire was discovered in the early morning hours of Oct. 24. The fire was set during a declared fire ban. Forest Service law enforcement officers observed three individuals fleeing from the scene. They escaped in a car parked below the ridge at Nada Tunnel on Highway 77.

To date, the fire has burned twelve hundred acres, has closed 25 miles of trails, and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent to fight the blaze.

Back at the site where the men were camped, officers found a receipt of purchased items that matched those at the scene. The receipt is from a Walmart in Dry Ridge, Ky. Security cameras captured photographs of the individuals purchasing the receipt items.

Camping gear, clothing and other personal items were abandoned at the campsite where the wildfire started. Fingerprints are being taken from the recovered items.

“The suspects are encouraged to come forth,” said Patrol Captain Kimberly Kipp. “Their cooperation with law enforcement will be considered during prosecution if they come forward now.”

The Auxier Ridge area of the gorge, including roads and trails, remain closed. A portion of Highway 77 from Nada Tunnel to the Martins Fork parking area remains closed due to falling tree hazards.

Anyone who can identify the men in the photographs or has other information is asked to contact Kipp at 606-875-5042.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Red River Gorge seeks 3 campers for wildfire

Friday, October 29, 2010

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Last weekend an illegal campfire in Red River Gorge, set during a declared fire ban, has spread to more than 400 acres and has led to the closure of Tunnel Ridge Road, a portion of Kentucky Highway 7, and several trails in the Auxier Ridge area.

The U.S. Forest Service (Daniel Boone National Forest) is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the three individuals responsible for the escaped campfire. The fire began just after midnight on Saturday.

The escaped campfire led to an emergency Forest Supervisor’s Order that closed an estimated 3,000 acres in the Auxier Ridge area. Forest Service officials spent most of Sunday morning searching for more than 50 backcountry campers and hikers who had vehicles parked in the closure area. All visitors associated with the vehicles were found safe.

Forest Service law enforcement officers witnessed three individuals running from the escaped campfire and getting into their car parked along Kentucky Highway 77. An investigation is under way. According to law enforcement officials, the individuals starting the fire would be best served by coming forward.

The wildfire has led to the closure of Tunnel Ridge Road, a section of Kentucky Highway 7 from Nada Tunnel to the Martins Fork parking area. Trails closed due to the fire include Grays Arch, Rough Trail, Sheltowee Trace, and the entire Auxier Trail system which includes Auxier Ridge, Courthouse Rock and Double Arch (click here for a map of the impacted area).

Earlier this week, Daniel Boone National Forest officials increased the fine for violating the ban on campfires from $75 to a $500 minimum.

Since the ban, Forest Service law enforcement officers have issued nearly 200 violations for illegal campfires in the Red River Gorge.

All violations will require a mandatory appearance in federal court. Up to six months imprisonment could be incurred in addition to a fine. Individuals who allow a campfire to escape and result in a wildfire may be required to pay restitution for suppression costs.

Anyone with information about the fire should call Forest Service Patrol Capt. Kimberly Kipp at (606) 875-5042.

For more information on the Red River Gorge in central Kentucky, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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The fugitive bear of Red River Gorge

Thursday, July 1, 2010

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The fugitive black bear of Red River Gorge is still on the run.

Federal officials have placed an All Points Bulletin (APB) on a black bear in the Red River Gorge of central Kentucky. Officials from an array of Federal agencies are combing the Red River Gorge wilderness in search of the bear that became famous after becoming the first black bear to attack a human in modern Kentucky history earlier this week.

The terror brought on by the attack has forced the closure of the 29,000-acre Red River Gorge Geological Area. Although exact numbers haven’t been provided, officials in Washington DC say it’s the highest number of feds scouring a wilderness area since the Eric Rudolph case.

Helicopters, Karelian Bear Dogs, U.S. Army Scouts and Dog the Bounty Hunter have all been deployed to the area. After the bungled Gulf oil spill response, local residents have expressed shock that the U.S. government was able to respond in such a short amount of time.

Hourly updates on the progress of the hunt are being provided by media outlets across the state and beyond. As always, the media is doing its best to keep the public calm while the fugitive remains on the loose.

Just as the bear that bit the hiker near Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains received a name, I think it’s appropriate that we give the fugitive bear in question a name as well. I think we should call him “Red” – “Red the black bear”.

A National Forest Ranger, who refused to give his name, stated that he believes that Red is hiding out in the disputed and highly lawless mountainous region along the Wolfe County - Menifee County line.

Another ranger is theorizing that fellow bears in the area are providing Red with safe houses, allowing him to stay in their dens during the day, which allows him to stay on the move at night.

There are also rumors that humans sympathetic to Red’s cause are providing assistance, including leaving food items out at night for him as he travels from den to den.

Although Red has no known priors, it’s suspected that his parents were behind several bluff charges and dumpster raids in Virginia several years back.

Just hours ago, a young anchor from a Lexington TV station - fresh out of college, reported from a helicopter dispatched to the scene that they thought they had found the bear escaping in a white SUV. From the air the crew followed the vehicle down the Mountain Parkway all the way to Compton until they discovered that it was actually a former NFL Football star. Purportedly he played in Chicago.

Stay tuned as the hunt continues.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
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Red River Gorge named as the first "Hot Spot"

Saturday, June 12, 2010

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Red River Gorge is in danger of being "loved to death."

That's according to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, who has recently named the Gorge as its first "Hot Spot."

The nonprofit organization out of in Boulder, Colorado will be providing some help to keep the Gorge clean.

The selection means that trainers from the center will attend some events in the Gorge to talk with people about "Leave No Trace" camping and recreation. They'll also promote the concept though social media and contacts with universities, clubs and others who use the area.

Located in central Kentucky, the Red River Gorge offers hiking, camping, rock-climbing, canoeing and other activities that draw people from around the world. The gorge is best known for its sandstone cliffs and the more than 100 natural arches within its borders, which is the greatest concentration of arches east of the Rocky Mountains.

The Leave No Trace Center noted that all that recreation has resulted in "litter, trail erosion, damage to vegetation, and vandalism of property, natural features, and cultural/heritage sites."

Having spent a lot of time in Red River Gorge during my late teen years, I can personally attest to the abuse heaped upon this beautiful and unique area.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
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Bizarre and Interesting Hikers on the Trail

Sunday, September 21, 2008

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Have you ever meet any interesting characters while out on the trail? Do you have any good stories about an encounter with a strange or unusual hiker? I’d love to hear about them.

I have three stories I’d like to share: one was a bit unsettling at the time, one that was truly absurd, and the other a unique and interesting one.

Back in the mid-Eighties I did a short evening hike with a small group to one of the overlooks in Red River Gorge in central Kentucky. Just before reaching the Chimney Rock overlook, an extended Vietnamese family passed us heading back towards the trailhead. We exchanged greetings, thought they looked like nice enough people, and didn’t think anything more about it.

Roughly fifteen minutes later we began hearing some shouting from at least two different locations in the valley below us. Although we couldn’t understand what was being said, it didn’t sound particularly friendly. Another thirty minutes or so passed before we decided to head back up the trail before it got too dark. We hadn’t walked too far when three guys, dressed in full battle fatigues, with war-painted faces and large hunting knives sticking out of their belts, approached us from the opposite direction.

Red River Gorge is in the Daniel Boone National Forest where hunting isn’t allowed. So, obviously, these guys weren’t hunters. Needless to say we were a little taken aback as they approached us. They proceeded to ask us if we had seen any “gooks”, which was a common disparaging term used to describe North Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. We immediately knew who they were looking for. Although we had just passed the Vietnamese family less than an hour before, we played dumb and told them we hadn’t seen anybody.

To this day we have no idea what was going on that evening in the Gorge, but I can say with certainty that it didn’t appear to be a good situation.

My absurd hiking story occurred in the Grand Tetons a few years ago. We were hiking the Cascade Canyon Trail when we came upon a large group of people making a great deal of noise. The “leader” of this group, a muscular guy without a shirt and wearing a bandana, whom we appropriately nicknamed “Rambo”, was banging the ground with an extra-large stick. He and his group of about ten were all yelling at a young black bear walking just in front them along the trail. Recognizing their accents, we assumed they were tourists from Germany.

The absurd part of this story is that the bear didn’t care how loud these people yelled. He continued strolling down the trail at his own leisurely pace. With the Germans leading the way, we literally followed the bear for at least a mile before the bear decided he had had enough and meandered off into the woods.

My final story occurred on the Dream Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. About a mile into the hike we came across a group of about 30 Buddhist monks from Vietnam, all dressed in traditional clothes. They were taking part in a Buddhist monk convention in Estes Park and decided they wanted to do a little hiking in the mountains. We spoke with a couple of them and even had a picture taken with one of them. They were all very friendly. It was one of the most unique and memorable hikes that I’ve ever been on.

What about you? Do you have any interesting, bizarre, or unique hiking stories?


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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