Backcountry Camping in DBNF

[aacaligiuri]

Hey guys,

I'll be in the Red from 9/17-9/26 for a climbing trip. I'll most likely be staying at LOTA for the majority. However, my birthday is 9/18 and I'm thinking of finding a nice backcountry campsite in Daniel Boone National Forest for the night of the 17th so I can wake up somewhere awesome on my birthday morning. If anyone has any suggestions on a good spot (maybe with a nice view of the gorge?) that would be really awesome. Post on here or shoot me an email -- aacaligiuri@gmail.com

Thanks,
Antonio

[Ascentionist]

How familiar are you with the Gorge? How much off trail hiking would you be willing to do?

[TradMike]

Top of cloud splitter is nice. Especially if there is fog. And there is a pretty cool cave up there.

[milspecmark]

Also, hansons point. The trail is a bit narrow and littered with down trees but it keeps people from going back there so it will be rather remote. It is only a mile and a half hike or so.

[Mark W]

That's cool you're wanting to spend a night in the "backcountry" of the Red River Gorge . . . I think a lot of people come down here and end up missing out on that aspect. But then again, you can't find what you're not looking for and some people aren't looking for waking up with a kick- @#!*% view. It's not the Wind River range or anything, but the Red has some awesome places to backpack to that give an impressive illusion of vastness and wildness. Good for you for making it a goal to experience that. My suggestions:

- Hike the Double Arch/Auxier Branch/Auxier Ridge Trails loop. There are several spur trails off Auxier Ridge Trail that have decent campsites with nice views, and you can always hike from those to the views off the official trail that are really spectacular and return to your camp for sleeping. Just make sure you camp 300 feet off any official trail. You could also simply hike the gravel road that is "Double Arch Trail" all the way to its end rather than taking the trail to Double Arch when it leaves the road (sorry if this confusing but it will make sense on a map and on a hike). Continue out the ridge on a user-trail from the dead-end gravel road to a nice campsite or two.

- There are a few campsites around Eagle's Nest that have great views. Climbing guidebook as well as Hinterlands will get you to this area and then just follow user-trails to campsites at the top of the cliff.

- Hike to the top of Raven Rock and camp out there. Steep hike, but great view and a perfect place to watch the sunrise. One of my favorite views in the Red.

- Get a copy of Hinterlands, read the trail descriptions for trails with ridge/overlook in their name , take note of any campsites mentioned, and use that as a resource for trip planning.

There are plenty of other options but those should get you started. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water . . . very few ridgetop campsites have water nearby to filter once you're at camp. Don't get drunk and fall off the cliff . . . seriously.

Also, hansons point. The trail is a bit narrow and littered with down trees but it keeps people from going back there so it will be rather remote. It is only a mile and a half hike or so.

The user-trail to Hanson's Point is just short of a mile, and to reach the beginning of the user-trail you're hiking on Pinch-em-Tight Trail for just over a mile and a half. So the total distance is closer to 2.5-3 miles. This is one of my favorite camping/stargazing/sunrise spots . . . and seems to be preferred by many others as well. Even with the trees down it still gets a fair amount of use, but if you're going on a weekday I doubt you'd see many other people.

[milspecmark]

My Bad, I just remember it being pretty short and easy. I will recommend you bring rain gear. The user trail is so narrow, the trees get wet with dew in the morning and you will be soaked coming out if you hike out in the morning.

I will also second Mark W in saying that Auxier ridge and double arch is great. I think auxier ridge is my favorite hike in the red by far. However, it will be the most crowded. If you are only going once, that is the one you want.

[aacaligiuri]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

I'm definitely willing to do some off trail hiking if it means being rewarded with an awesome view/campsite, although I'm not very familiar with the gorge in terms of hiking. Where is the best place to pick up a good map (where to get a copy of Hinterlands)? I'd imagine there is a park office somewhere that will provide the necessary maps and permits. Auxier Ridge is definitely on my list of rest day hikes but I think I am looking for more solitude on this particular adventure. Raven Rock and Hanson's Point seem like great options, so I will definitely be looking into those.

Thanks again for all the info, guys!

Antonio

[Wolf]

A decent set of maps can be picked up at Miguel's or Skybridge Station. Hinterlands is available at at the Shell station, Miguel's, Skybridge Station, and several other local shops. Parking permits can be purchased at the gas stations or Skybridge Station. Have fun.