 As I contemplated on getting housework done or go hiking, I get an email that says the Rock Bridge Road was OPEN! So that settled that! I grabbed my backpack and put all the day-hike goodies in while my husband got Ranger, the puppy, all hooked up. And then we were off! We decided to drive around to the other side of the picnic area and start the loop trail there. Now that we did it, though, I would suggest starting on the other side and go DOWN all those steps instead of having to come UP them. Shew! I forgot all about those stairs. This trail is actually paved, but very worn. It makes for easy walking, but in some areas the edges are pretty rough. So be cautious and hopefully you won't twist an ankle. Whatever side you decide to start from, you will see some beautiful views of the gorge.  The trail itself is very pretty. Even when the leaves are off, there is just a beauty to it.  Ranger wanted to be in the picture. As we continued on the path, and the steps, we couldn't help but notice all the woodsy smells and sounds. Then came the sound of the small but spectacular Creation Falls. This is also where you will find Rock Bridge. As the sign states, this is the only bridge that has water running under it. This makes for a wonderful spot for a picnic. When it gets warmer this is also a nice area to take those shoes off and wade around in the shallow, sparkling water.  Creation Falls  Rock Bridge This is a fairly easy trail but with the many, many steps/stairs I decided to label it moderate. Now, if you are wanting to only see the falls and the bridge, go to the other entrance, around to the other side of the parking area. This is the shorter, quicker path. Either way, just take your time and enjoy the sites all around you. God's beautiful creation is amazing! Hiking season is right around the corner! Get that camera ready and choose to get outdoors more this year! Have fun and be safe!
Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir
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 Cumberland Falls Rain, mud, and gloomy days is what the past few weeks have looked like here in Powell County. Over the weekend we saw even more rain than normal and that lead to the streams, rivers, lakes and even our yards to flood. I was able to take a quick road trip down to see Cumberland Falls on Sunday. What a spectacular site to see! The power it has is absolutely awesome. Trails will be muddy, but right now would be an excellent time to hike and see waterfalls in the gorge! Creation Falls can be seen by taking the Rock Bridge Trail. And also the Copperas Creek Falls...which I have never been to. I'm thinking that this will be on my 'Must Hike' list for this year!
Although it was fun and exciting to get out and witness all the flooding going on, we still need to be safe. So please use that brain God gave you, to decide when things are safe or not safe. And remember, sunny days are in the near future!  Hi everyone and Happy 2019 to you! With all the holidays over and life slowing back down a little, I still have only managed to get two hikes in so far. But, to my defense, we have a new puppy, Ranger, that is now 24 weeks old and keeping me busy. If you have ever trained a puppy or had one in the house, then you totally get it. Eventually he will be going on all of my future hikes with me. But right now with the poor little guy drooling and drooling during the car ride getting to the trails, he just gets to go every now and then. He sure loves walking in the woods, though! Which brings me to my latest hike and actually the reason for this post. We did get out yesterday, but I do not have trail details or pictures this time, for three reasons. First is because of Ranger getting a little car sick. Second, I was not well prepared. And third, the road that led to the trail I had planned on hiking, was closed. ROAD CLOSURESI want to make sure you know of the few roads that are temporarily closed in the Red River Gorge area. Chimney Top road...Rock Bridge road...and Tunnel Ridge road. From what I can see, there have not been any updates on the US Forest Service web page about them. But they are just a phone call away. They also have a Facebook page that shares information about road closures. So before you head out to hike a certain trail, make sure it is not off of one of these roads. And folks, make sure to thank these people for taking good care of our gravel roads in the gorge! They truly do a wonderful job!  BE PREPAREDWith the cold weather we are getting these next few days, it makes me want to remind everyone and encourage you all to 'dress like an onion'....in layers. The goal is to be warm enough without getting sweaty. Being cold is one thing. Being cold AND wet is definitely something to avoid if at all possible. You will also want to make sure that someone knows the exact trail you plan on hiking. You should do this anyways, but in the winter for sure. If something would happen, the last thing you would want is to be stuck out in the freezing cold weather at night. If someone realized you haven't called or you aren't home yet, they can hopefully lead the rescue teams to your location. And last, always pack some essentials...water, a snack, pocket knife, phone and a portable charger, first aid, headlamp/flashlight, a whistle, fire-starter and if possible an extra pair of socks and any other piece of clothing you think you might need and maybe even one of those survival blankets. It may sound like a lot, especially if you are just planning a short day hike. But what if?? You just never know what could happen. So get outdoors and take a hike! Don't let old man winter keep you inside all winter long! Grab that camera, have fun and be safe! Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir   I cannot believe it has been almost 2 months since I have been on a hike! Life has slowed back down a little bit now and when I saw the weather for this week I knew this was my chance! First thing I want to do though, is introduce you to the newest member of my family! After losing my 13 year old doggie back in August, we finally went to a rescue shelter last week and adopted a puppy. Meet Ranger y'all.  This was his first of many hikes with me and he did great! I wanted a short and fairly easy trail for him and that is why I chose Whistling Arch. But don't let that stop you from hiking it. As you can see below, it's a well worn yet pretty path. The trail itself is just shy of half a mile and took me right around 20 minutes out and back.  There are just a few areas where the tree roots and rocks are part of the path. Be careful of the slippery leaves in those areas. But even with all our rain, it wasn't that muddy. And I'll tell you what, if you can stand the cold, winter is an amazing time to hike. The woods are quiet and the trails are not busy at all. And you don't get near as sweaty!  I just love the arches in the Red River Gorge! I really think I could sit and stare at the rock formations all day! It has been years since I have hiked this trail so it was kinda new to me again. And even now, when the leaves are fallen and everything seems dull and bleak, the Gorge is still very much Gorgeous! This is a wonderful little hike.  A great New Years resolution could be to get outside and take more hikes! Last year I did a 365 mile challenge. I walked, hiked, biked or kayaked at least 1 mile each day. I'm really thinking of doing that again this year. Anyone want to join me? It would be great if you could share pictures of your hikes in the comments!
I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! May your new year be full of happiness and fresh air! So get outdoors and take a hike! Grab that camera, have fun and be safe! Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir  It was a cool, quiet morning and I really wanted to get outside and hike, but I needed to get my flowerbeds ready for winter along with other yard work, housework and grocery shopping. So the decision was made and this was the perfect hike! Short...which means I would still have the energy to do all the above. Quick...so I would have the time to do all I'm wanting to get done. And then, Beautiful...it's always a bonus when there is an arch or some type of natural sight to see. Plus it is fall and the leaves are finally starting to change.   This is a dirt trail that has a decline soon after you start. But it doesn't last long. The trail levels off and makes for a nice hike. I usually dread the trip back knowing it is uphill, but this wasn't bad at all. I didn't even need to stop for a breather!  The designs and natural carvings in the huge boulders are fascinating to look at. Some of them are big enough to sit in! Kids, young and old, would love this trail! Don't just stop when you get to the windows, though. Walk thru and enjoy the sights on the other side! Even in doing this, my husband and I were back to our vehicle in less than 30 minutes.  This is a marked trail in the Red River Gorge/Daniel Boone National Forest. Pay attention to the white diamond marks on trees which verifies you are on the right trail.
So get outdoors and take a hike! Grab that camera, have fun and be safe! Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir  It's fall, y'all!! Sky Bridge is an absolute must see during this beautiful time of year! The views are breathtaking! And if you decide to go under the bridge, you will not be disappointed! It is such a grand and stunning bridge. I had the place to myself the whole time...on the bridge, under the bridge and even on the trail. So this made for a wonderful hike and lots of pictures! Goodness, I could have stayed there all day! Especially with these cooler temps and blue skies. As you can see above, the bridge is 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot. This trail brings you to the top and is paved with a few steps to get down onto the bridge, making it an easy trip. There is even a bench about half way. Take a snack, have a seat and enjoy the view for a little while. But please remember the Leave No Trace principles which include carrying out any trash you may have.  To continue on the trail or if you just want to see under the bridge, which I highly recommend, you will need to cross and follow the path from there. The pavement is pretty worn and it can't make up its mind if it wants to be paved or dirt. This is also where stairs come into the hike. We are talking over 100 steps in this little 1 mile trail! And it is in the last leg that has the most. But thankfully, the forestry department built a small landing on top for us to catch our breath. Or, you can go the opposite direction starting at the parking lot and end up at the bridge. If you do this, you will be going down most of the stairs instead of up. I would have totally went this route but I was hoping to see some morning fog floating in the valleys for some cool pictures. Although I was early, it wasn't early enough. When I hike, I am taking everything in. I'm talking from watching the birds and clouds to straining to see if there is something in that little hole in the rock. The rock wall on this trail is so fascinating with all its holes and designs. And with the leaves beginning to change it just made for a beautiful hike. Even with all my stopping, it only took me about 40 minutes.  The directions to get to this trail can be found easily on the Daniel Boone National Forest web page - https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/dbnf/home
If you are in the area, you can also stop by the Gladie Visitor Center. They will gladly give you directions and answer any questions you may have. So get outdoors and take a hike! Grab that camera, have fun and be safe! Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir This trail is exactly what I think of when I imagine a nice, simple hike. It's not to short and not to long. The mature trees create a canopy overhead allowing you to be in the shade during the whole hike, out and back. And there are so many cool things to see...like the massive boulders that are covered in tree roots!  There are some obstacles I wanted to bring to your attention, though. *There are a couple of decent size logs that I had to straddle to get over. These are part of the trail and to me this is fun but to others it could mean they have to turn back and not continue on with the hike. *There are a total of 12-15 steps along the trail. *The one I really want to point out is in the picture below, top right corner. It is a pipe in the ground. If the log was removed out of it, this could cause a serious injury if stepped into. So please keep an eye out for it.  All of the bridges are well constructed and are holding up very good. The one below is perfect for stopping to enjoy the babbling and burbling stream below. And since we are looking at this picture I would like to point out the trail marking. Throughout the Daniel Boone National Forest you will notice the white diamond mark painted on trees to help keep you on the right trail. Pay attention to these. When you come to a split in the trail that does not have a sign, you can normally look ahead and see one of these diamonds on a tree and know which way to go. I'm sure you have also noticed the white turtle above the diamond. For those who don't know, this is the mark for the Sheltowee Trace trail named in honor of Daniel Boone. Sheltowee is the name given to Boone by Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee tribe, meaning “Big Turtle." Pretty cool, huh?  Now, back to our hike! Just you wait until you see this arch! My oldest son who is 5'11 is under that green arrow in the picture below! I was tempted not to share it, but I had to! This arch is huge! There is a waterfall off to the right and was coming down beautifully. I am sure you can go on top but I was content with just sitting on the rocks and taking it all in from there. So get outdoors and take a hike! Grab that camera and have fun!  Whittleton Arch Remember...
'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir  Henson's Arch Trail-head What a beautiful weekend it was to get out and hike! Cooler weather and rainy. This usually means no snakes, no mosquito's and less crowds. While I consider myself an avid hiker I will be the first to tell you that I am not in good shape! Hills and stairs and I do not get along. But this doesn't stop me from getting out and enjoying God's beautiful creation! And what better place than right here in our county! We are truly blessed.  Henson's Arch Trail I started with the Henson's Arch Trail which is located in the Whittleton Campground. When the campground is open, you will park by the brown shed. During the off season you can park just outside the gate and walk in from there. This is not the Whittleton Arch trail. Remember that. So you will need to walk toward the bathrooms and the trail-head is just behind them. If you are needing a quick hike (and a cardio workout), this trail is perfect for you! It has a good incline along with some steps right at the start. But it soon levels off for awhile giving you time to catch your breath, which I do quite often. Today I had to walk thru water running down the path along with a lot of mud. But no big deal. That is why I wear hiking boots. When you reach the big rock, see picture above, there is another incline. This area has decent size rocks, not little gravel pieces, you will be walking over. The good news, though, is you are now in the home stretch of the tiny arch. Yes, I said tiny, but you just have to go see it! This is truly one of my favorite places to take family and friends that come to visit because it is so cool and different! This trail ends at a hole in the ground! Crazy, right?! There is a steep staircase/ladder that goes down into it so you can explore this neat place. About 4 steps from the bottom you will be eye to eye with the tiny arch. There is usually a small waterfall that flows down the limestone wall along with a tree that fell in sometime ago.  Henson's Arch Trail Take time to walk around and explore a little. Find where the water from the falls goes. Take pictures. And most importantly, have fun! Remember... 'Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.' - John Muir Have you ever questioned if a hiking trail might be to difficult for you? Or, I wonder if it has stairs? If so, how many? What trail would be good to hike in the fall when the leaves are changing? In this blog I hope to answer questions like those that will give you a better idea of what specific trails are like. Each entry title will be the name of the trail. Then go on to describe the difficulty and how long it takes me to hike them. Along with anything special that stands out such as arch's or lookout points. If it has stairs and how many. Or even trees that are newly down across the trail.  But first, let me tell you a little about myself. I love being outdoors and seeing all the beauty God has created and given us to enjoy! Even as a child I preferred to be outside riding my bike, skate boarding or climbing trees instead of playing inside with dolls. 28 years ago I married the man of my dreams. He, too, enjoys the outdoors and is always ready to find new trails to explore with me. He is my adventure partner! We have two sons. One is married to a beautiful, sweet gal and they had our first little granddaughter this year! Oh my goodness! I am absolutely loving being a Grammy! Our other son is a mechanic and is always busy working on something. I think we must have worn them out when they were kids. They don't get out to hike that much nowadays. But boy, we have gone places and seen some amazing things while being out in God's great outdoors!  So while I love to hike, I also enjoy riding my mountain bike and kayaking. So, every now and then, I will share information about those adventures as well. But my biking trips will be far and few between simply because I can't find any place local to ride. My kayaking rides are preferably on smooth waters. It took my husband 27 years to get me into a kayak, y'all! So, fast moving rivers or busy, crowded lakes where boats cruising by make waves that look to be 10' tall is absolutely not my thing. (No, they really aren't 10' tall. But they sure seem that way to me!) Calm and peaceful is what I enjoy. I love being out on the water seeing things from a whole new view and taking lots of pictures! We live in a beautiful state, y'all!  So get those hiking boots on! Gear up for a bike ride or peaceful float on the water in your kayak! Choose to get outdoors! Step into the cool, damp forest where the trees are towering over creating a canopy, making you feel like you just stepped out of a time machine. Breath in the fresh, crisp smells of pine and fallen leaves giving you the sense of adventure. Listen to the birds warn each other of your intrusion into their home and watch little chipmunks scurry about gathering acorns. This will surely put a smile on your face! I am so excited and can't wait for you to join this new adventure with me!
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AuthorAngie Gable 
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