Arches?? Windows??? Portals???? Orifices?????????

So, we are feeling some big CHAOTIC energy and just decided to roll with it and record an episode (and when I say “we”, I mean mostly Rachel). Welcome to Tread the Red Podcast where we debate holes…sandstone holes. Or are they holes? Do the holes have a specific name??? We honestly don’t know anything anymore.

Between all the chaos, here are some things of note in this episode:
* Our first time setting up this season at the RRG Farmers Market (sooooo many cool vendors and wonderful things coming of this! Please visit if you haven’t – every Saturday from 10-2 at the Slade Welcome Center) 😉
* The Hive at High Rock – we revisited and saw Josh’s new glamping set-up and let us tell you – it is a fantasy world!!!
* Angels Windows Trail, but mostly just talking about holes.

Anyway, we hope you all keep listening (sorry not sorry for this episode) and we hope you have got to do some cool hikes recently and have plans for more! 😀

Follow us on Instagram at @tread_the_red and the website TreadTheRed.com

Thank you for listening!!

Just A Lot of the F Word (And I Don’t Mean Forest)

Welcome to Tread the Red! This week we go into some recent Gorge adventures (and misadventures…). A casual PSA: Natural Bridge Campgrounds (Whittleton and Middle Fork) operate under a reservation service, not a first-come-first-serve like Koomer Ridge Campground in the Gorge. Please be aware when planning your trips! 🙂
Trails featured in this episode:
* Sky Bridge Trail
* Rock Bridge Trail

We also talk about our experience with a professional photographer of the Gorge Region, Lila! You can find her website here and follow her on Instagram @lila_calliephotography ! We had an amazing time doing a sunrise hike and overlook photos with her and would highly recommend you contact her for your photography needs!

ALSO: This episode includes a little “extra” feature on our first experience hiking throughout Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio (GASP..I know, not the Gorge, but we thought some of y’all would like to hear about it!)

Also, can’t remember if we mention it on this episode, but Rachel and Darren will be set up at Hops in the RRG on Friday June 3rd from 7-8PM to chat all about trails and the Gorge with whoever decides to stop by! Rachel and Darren will also be set up at the RRG Farmers Market on Saturday June 4th from 10AM-2PM, so make sure to come by and say hi! All of Rachel’s artwork will be on sale along with Tread the Red merchandise. 🙂

Swamp Time Water Balloon Feet

Hi and welcome to Tread the Red Podcast! Where we talk about people, places, and things of the Gorge. 😉
During this episode we talk about the opening day of the RRG Farmers Market for this season and the balloon loop hike we also completed that day. Specifically, we hiked Koomer Ridge Trail > Buck Trail > Pinch-em-Tight Trail > Rough Trail and then back to Koomer Ridge Trail! Rachel has hiked parts of all these trails before except for Buck Trail – this was a first time for that one! Also, this loop trail is a great challenge for anyone who is wanting surreal creek adventures and a longer trail to hike! It tops out right at about 8 miles and definitely has a lot of climbing involved! (Not CLIMBING climbing, but hiking climbing…you know). It also utilizes all marked official trails of the Red River Gorge!
Spoiler Alert, but you may not want to hike this trail if you don’t have waterproof boots/socks, hiking sandals, or are comfy with stripping off your shoes for several creek crossings! 😉 You’ve been warned!

Catch us next time on Tread the Red Podcast, and in the meantime, you can follow along with our Gorge adventures through Instagram & TikTok @tread_the_red and on Rachel’s website, treadthered.com . Rachel also just released a new line of stickers that are all available on her Etsy under “Stickers”! Check them out & happy hiking! Stay weird and pet some moss for us!!!

Trails in this episode:
*Koomer Ridge/Buck Trail/Pinch-em-Tight/Rough Trail Balloon Loop

Serenaded by the Frog Chorus (& a Safety PSA!)

Hi and welcome to Tread the Red!! This week’s episode covers some more serious topics – AKA a creep that is stalking women in the Gorge. I know…it is scary and terrible, and unfortunately, Rachel had a direct experience with him. BUT, we are sharing her story (and other’s stories!) to get the word out in the hopes that it will create a space where more people will be aware of the issue and therefore, be more prepared when heading out for a day of hiking or camping! Head over to Rachel’s Instagram or Tiktok @tread_the_red or her Twitter @TreadTheRed, to see a picture of the stalker’s vehicle & more information. We want everyone aware and to stay safe!!
On a lighter note, we talk about a failed car-camping experience (oops) and some awesome trails! And obviously, Pippin.

Also! The RRG Farmers Market returns this weekend, May 7th from 10AM-2PM! We hope everyone will come out and check it out, because there are going to be a lot of awesome vendors there!

Trails featured in this episode:
* Camera Point Trail
* Douglas Trail
* Tunnel Ridge Road “N”

Thanks for listening! Stay safe, stay weird, and happy hiking!!

Turkey Vulture Uprising

We have an extra long episode for y’all this week! Listen to this episode to find out Darren’s thoughts on the future uprising of the turkey vultures…”it’s only a matter of time…”
Some cool RRG related things! First off, the RRG Farmers Market makes its return on Saturday May 7th from 10AM-2PM! This is a “soft-opening” and there will be so many different amazing vendors, so mark the date! The grand opening will be sometime in July TBA. Also, one of the RRG Market vendors, Restoration Acres, recently opened an online shop where you can buy their awesome RRG & Nature inspired illustrations (stickers, shirts, etc.!).

The main hike that we talk about in this episode:
*Star Gap Trail (including Star Gap Arch)

All current Tread the Red #TrailTalk videos are linked, and I am constantly working on adding more to the website, so stay tuned!

You can follow Tread the Red on Instagram and TikTok @Tread_the_Red and on Twitter @TreadtheRed and online at TreadTheRed.com

Thank you so much for listening & happy hiking!

The Gimli Incident

Hi and welcome to Tread the Red! This week we are featuring my brother, Sam, to talk about his first time to Eagles Point Buttress (and the *Gimli Incident* that followed), and his first time to Copperas Falls! I know that this is a slightly shorter episode than usual, but don’t worry, Darren and I have an extra long one for y’all next week to make up for it! 😉
Don’t forget to check out the 2022 Herpetology Weekend April 22-23 at Natural Bridge and The Gorge! It’s going to be a fun time.
Hikes talked about in this episode:
*Eagles Point Buttress/Douglas Trail Loop
*Copperas Falls Trail

Thank you so much for listening and we hope you are doing well and getting in some amazing spring-time hikes!

Let’s Start From the Beginning

Helloooooo!! We are here with another episode of Tread the Red except this time we have friends with us! This episode features Sam & Joe and also…Kermit??? I am pretty sure we talked about our hike to Turtle Back Arch and finishing out the loop via Swift Camp Creek and part of Rock Bridge Trail, but we definitely talked about a lot of other stuff as well. This is truly one of the classic Tread the Red *chaotic* episodes – you’re welcome. 😀

We recorded in The Willow, which is one of the properties owned by @experiencethewilds on Instagram! The cabin was perfect and we totally recommend checking it out (or any of their other properties) for your next stay at the Gorge! (Not sponsored, we just really loved both cabins we stayed at recently, and think The Wilds are awesome and have a lot to offer within the Gorge area!)

Trails mentioned this episode:
*Turtle Back Arch Trail
*Swift Camp Creek Trail
*Rock Bridge Trail

As always, you can follow me on Instagram and TikTok @Tread_the_Red and on Twitter @TreadtheRed. You can also find my etsy shop by searching Tread the Red in shops, or by clicking here. I’ve also been working on updating my Trails section on my website, so be sure to check that out as well! I hope everyone is doing well and getting some good hiking in. Until next time!!

Veranda Trail

The Veranda Trail is an unofficial/unmarked trail in the Red River Gorge, but utilizes official trails to get to the trailhead! The most direct route to the beginning of this trail would be to take Pinch-em-Tight trail to Rush Ridge Trail, and then a right onto Rough Trail where you will hike about 230 feet downhill to the Veranda Trailhead!
I can’t say enough how beautiful this little trail and overlook are! From the overlook, you can look directly through Pinch-em-Tight Gap to Half Moon nestled in between! Hanson’s Point is on the other side, but is blocked from view by the Gap. This trail is a beautiful spot for sunrise.

The Veranda Trail itself is only about 0.32 miles, but combined with Pinch-em-Tight and Rush Ridge, it is about 1.62 miles one way. A great option for a loop hike is to continue along Rough Trail after Veranda Trail and hit up Hanson’s Point before looping back using the Pinch-em-Tight trail!

Veranda Trail

Tower Rock Trail (#229)

Tower Rock Trail (#229): This trail is part of the official Red River Gorge trail system. In my opinion, this is one of the more underrated trails of the Gorge! I LOVED this trail from the first time we hiked it! The trailhead is located along Route 715 between the Gladie Visitor Center and the Osborne Bend Trailhead parking area. There is a pull-off parking spot across the road from the trailhead that is big enough for a few cars. The trailhead could be easy to miss, so just keep an eye out for it!
Tower Rock Trail is a relatively easy and short hike to the impressive “Tower Rock”! At only 0.75 miles to the base of the rock (1.5 miles round trip), this is a great hike to add onto the end or beginning of your hiking day! I would also totally recommend this trail for people with kids who like to explore because the area around the base of the rock felt like a huge playground! So much to climb on and explore.

Tower Rock Trail #229

Cliff Trail (#206)

Cliff Trail (#206) is one of the few trails that begin at Koomer Ridge Campground in the Red River Gorge! I highly recommend camping at this campground at some point if you haven’t already, but you can hike this trail regardless if you are staying at the campground or not! There is a parking lot to the left when you enter the campground that is specifically for backpackers and day hikers! No fee required unless you plan to be out overnight.
This is a short 0.5 mile loop trail that begins from campground loop 1 and ends at campground loop 2. In the video below we hiked it from loop 2 to loop 1. You choose what you do!
I definitely recommend trying this trail out if you are staying at the campground or if you are already in the area for some of the other hikes (Silvermine Arch & Hidden Arch, to name a few)!

Cliff Trail #206 (Koomer Ridge Campground trail)