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I'm trying to get these directions bulletproof since some people have complained. Can you all offer some input as to how we can make these better?


Oil Crack Rock

Drive about 14 miles south on KY 11 (toward Miguel's) from the Junior Williamson Rest Area toward Beattyville. Turn right on KY 498. Drive 1.2 miles to a sharp right curve. Just beyond this curve take a sharp right on Bald Rock Road (gravel road). Follow the gravel road 1.5 miles to a set of two entranceways on the right. The two entranceways are about 25 feet apart. Turn right and head uphill until you come to a fork in the road Take the left fork and head up a steep hill. Stay on this road for about .3 miles. At the top of the hill, the road will curve sharply to the left then back right and head down a hill. At the bottom of this hill, take a sharp left then bear right and head up another steep hill. The road to Oil Crack Rock is directly to the right at the top of the hill. Most people back in here to make it easier to exit. Travel down this road for about 1/4 mile until you reach an oil well near a small parking area. Parking is a bit tight here so be sure to leave as much room as possible for others. Be sure not to block any wells when you park.

That's much clearer than the previous directions to the Arena. I think this should work fine. I don't know about telling people to back into the road that goes along oil crack though. It's a one laner. People have been driving down the hill to the left and parking down there.

I don't think the entrance to Bald Rock Road is graveled.

The entrance to Bald Rock Road is gravel, but changes to "slightly paved" about 500 feet in. Some mention of the oil company equipment might be helpful.... like "...after the two oil tanks on the right hand side of the road"... and ..."If you've see a gutted building and oil company equipment and tanks on the left of the road you've gone too far"...

ray wrote:to a set of two entranceways on the right. The two entranceways are about 25 feet apart. Turn right and head uphill until you

Does it matter which of these two entranceways you take? Or do they connect? I've only ever been there using the "if you cross a stream you've gone too far" entrance.

ray wrote: Drive 1.2 miles to a sharp right curve. Just beyond this curve take a sharp right on Bald Rock Road (gravel road).

I would add: Just beyond this curve AND AT THE CREST OF THE HILL, take a sharp sharp right on Bald Rock Road. There is a sign for a church here. This road will immediatly fork at a trailer. Take the left fork.

ray wrote: Follow the gravel road 1.5 miles to a set of two entranceways on the right. The two entranceways are about 25 feet apart.

This is the last road you can take off to the right. If you were to pass this road you will come to a dead-end/turnaround in about 200 yards.

ray wrote: Turn right and head uphill until you come to a fork in the road Take the left fork and head up a steep hill.

Alternatley, if you are not sure if your vehicle will make it on the rutted and potholed dirt/gravel road, you can park just to the right and walk in. It is a relativly short hike. The road is not in the best of shape and parking is limited.
As you continue to head up the gravel hill, you will come to another fork. The road to the right takes you directly to Drive By, and the steep road to the left takes you Oil Crack and the Arena.

Canuck wrote:

ray wrote:to a set of two entranceways on the right. The two entranceways are about 25 feet apart. Turn right and head uphill until you

Does it matter which of these two entranceways you take? Or do they connect? I've only ever been there using the "if you cross a stream you've gone too far" entrance.

This entrance is like an upside down "Y" so as you approach it you would naturaly take the part of the Y that is in your direction of travel. There is another road just before this Y that angles uphill and will put you right in the lower parking area.
After you've been there a time or two, and have checked out the parking area, it will all make sense.

Perfect. Thanks everyone.

Great job Ray. You're awesome to work so hard to assist the directionally impaired

I'm surprised no one has tried to post the GPS coordinates of every turn just for fun