RRC Archives

I have a German friend who'll be visiting the red in the next couple of weeks for three days of hiking. What do you think are the best day hikes? Cool arches are high on the must see list. It's funny, but I remember most of the routes I've done over the years, but not so much the hiking trails.

Gray's arch is good, and not too long. You could do that then auxier ridge / double arch. Rock bridge is also good, but not long, unless you link up with swift camp creek.

The Indian staircase to cloud splitter is nice, with a couple arches and some cool rock houses.

Have him check in at Red River Outdoors - they have some cool maps, and can probably help him plan some good stuff.

princess arch was neat

Agree with Rock Bridge! Short and sweet with a longer option. I believe there are guide books available at the gas stations.

The Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock is one of my favorites. You get the view of the Gorge from the ridge, Haystack Rock and the formations of the huge boulders near Courthouse. And if friends are up to the scramble to the top of Courthouse, it is a great view. Perhaps a rope for the downclimb. Continue on to Double Arch and back on the loop.

Rock bridge in the Spring or summer for sure. Is it 202 Di?

Auxier Ridge is tops.

Great suggestions, many thanks. Keep them coming if you don't mind. Does anyone know if there is still public access to Tight Hollow? For those of you who haven't been there Tight Hollow was the sight of the only remaining bit of forest in the Red that had never been logged. Back in the early seventies there were some gigantic hemlocks and tulip poplars there. I'm not absolutely certain about these numbers, but if I remember correctly, we measured some tulip poplars with circumferences of something like thirteen or fourteen feet. If this area still hasn't been logged, you owe yourself a visit. You once gained access across a piece of private property up on 15 east of Slade, but before you get to 715 it seems. There was a little motel and restaurant there. You checked in at the restaurant and walked across the small barnyard, and then a pasture out back. Last time I was in the area I couldn't identify any buildings that looked like what I remembered.

That's pretty cool, Larry. I didn't know there were any virgin trees left in the red.
Is it marked Tight Hollow on the Topo map? I'll look.

Not sure if tight hollow is marked on a topo. It was almost a secret spot, not publicized at all. Though access was across private property there was a first rate wooden staircase, obviously USFS built, that went down over the sandstone rim into the head of the hollow. Then the trail only went a short distance, maybe a half mile, before it just ended at a small stream, from there you were surrounded by nearly impenetrable forest. The place really had a Jurassic Park feel to it. I'm pretty sure that this stream was in the Mill Creek watershead. That might help you find the place. For sure a Forest Service ranger could give you directions.