Gates closed and locked

[clif]

thanks for the original post. if any of our ADHD online friends didn't read that far, i want to emphasize the road closures listed:

Tunnel Ridge Road
Chimney Top Road
Rock Bridge Road
Sky Bridge Road
Indian Creek Road

perhaps stating the obvious:

except for the few willing to walk or bike in, this closes off most of the gorge.

if this goes on during rocktoberfest it could get interesting in the southlands. i think Andrew's concerns may need some consideration.

[chandler]

FYI: Forest Service law enforcement is excepted from the shutdown.

http://www.usda.gov/documents/usda-fs-shutdown-plan.pdf

[ynp1]

I was making a joke about the wooden gates that were put up on the way into solar and around sore heal area. The ones that were there to help remind people to donate. I think they are still there right?

[Mark W]

thanks for the original post. if any of our ADHD online friends didn't read that far, i want to emphasize the road closures listed:

Tunnel Ridge Road
Chimney Top Road
Rock Bridge Road
Sky Bridge Road
Indian Creek Road

perhaps stating the obvious:

except for the few willing to walk or bike in, this closes off most of the gorge.

if this goes on during rocktoberfest it could get interesting in the southlands. i think Andrew's concerns may need some consideration.

I think this is a bit of an exaggeration.

From what I've read, climbers would still be able to park at the trailheads along state highways (KY-715, KY-77) and climb at Tower Rock, Funk Rock City, Military Wall, Left Flank, Jewell Pinnacle, Fortress Wall, Phantasia and a handful of other crags. I assume that they gated Indian Creek Road at the bridge or perhaps at its junction with the pavement, but the Forest Road (FR 23) that leaves connects KY-77 with a county road (North Fork Road) should be open, providing access to Long Wall.

The "Sky Bridge Road" that is being referred to is the approximately mile-long paved spur road maintained by the Forest Service that leads from KY-715 to the parking area for Sky Bridge Arch Trail, NOT KY-715 which is sometimes called "Sky Bridge Road".

If this is wrong, please correct me but everything I've read has made me thing this is the case and that statements about the Red being "closed" are exaggerations.

The closure of those gravel roads is more of an inconvenience to hikers more than climbers, since that's where a lot of the trailheads are.

Personally, I don't mind seeing those areas of the RRG which are overused and abused by visitors most every weekend from March to November get a break, I just wish the circumstances weren't so absurd and detrimental to persons who work for the federal government, or whose businesses depend on access to public lands. I'm looking forward to loading my touring bicycle up and pedaling out Tunnel Ridge Road or Indian Creek Road and camping. Depending on how long this shutdown goes on I could be pretty spoiled by the time it ends and re-adjusting to idiot drivers on gravel roads could be quite the "culture shock".

[clif]

oh. i hope/think you're right. i def. thought ESB/Funk rock were out of reach. i one point i thought i saw nada tunnel road was closed put that's just me being f'ed up.

[dustonian]

I'm looking forward to loading my touring bicycle up and pedaling out Tunnel Ridge Road or Indian Creek Road and camping. Depending on how long this shutdown goes on I could be pretty spoiled by the time it ends and re-adjusting to idiot drivers on gravel roads could be quite the "culture shock".

No camping is allowed in the Gorge -- it is essentially "closed" from 10pm to 6am.

[Mark W]

I'm looking forward to loading my touring bicycle up and pedaling out Tunnel Ridge Road or Indian Creek Road and camping. Depending on how long this shutdown goes on I could be pretty spoiled by the time it ends and re-adjusting to idiot drivers on gravel roads could be quite the "culture shock".

No camping is allowed in the Gorge -- it is essentially "closed" from 10pm to 6am.

OK, guess I'll be heading out on Hatton Ridge Rd., that's just on "regular" DBNF land.

It's bizarre how they release a flyer yesterday saying the backcountry camping is "open" and then another flyer the next day that says it's closed with no reason given.

And, totally random, but it would be incredibly interesting from a labor perspective if a nationwide general strike occurred during this government shutdown.

[RRGCC]

I am not saying that the RRGCC has stated that access is restricted, but I do believe that not publishing directions is not "full" access.

Another question. Would the RRGCC be supportive if a person posted full directions on this site or at all the climbing gyms?

I am asking because a lot of people keep asking me "when is it going to open?". I respond with "it is". Then I get "can you give me directions?"

I am not sure how to respond to the "directions" question???

Even as a developer I am getting a lot of conflicting information and rumors and I do not want to be saying or doing the wrong thing.

The RRGCC is working very hard to add a FAQ page for Miller Fork Recreational Preserve. It will be available through rrgcc.org in the coming weeks.

It will include maps, directions to the area and the best directions to the crags* that we can provide at the time.

The MFRP is a work in progress that requires a lot of man hours and collaborating from all parties involved.

*It is difficult to provide accurate directions to crags because they are being established even as we speak. We work hand in hand with developers to provide the best information that we have available.

Additionally we have not established a central and permanent parking area, so for the time being it is difficult to provide accurate walking directions since every party could be starting from a different point.

A few things to keep in mind. There are creek crossings - plan on getting wet or wear appropriate footwear. There are no official trail makers at this time. You might get lost. There is very little official trail infrastructure. You will be bush whacking at times.

As soon as the FAQ page is live we will spread the news as fast as possible.

[dustonian]

You are also likely to get anally probed with a meth cooking apparatus or dirty syringe from the previous evening's hillbilly heroin 4-wheelin hoedown.

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Creek crossings, no signs, bush whacking... Gasp! It would almost be like being in the woods. You surely can't expect people to have to endure that!