Star Gap Arch Trail

Hello and welcome to MY FAVORITE ARCH OF THE GORGE! I fell in love with this arch the very moment I laid eyes on it. The whole surrounding area is beautiful too!
To begin this trail, you will want to park at the Auxier Ridge parking lot at the end of the vehicle-traffic portion of Tunnel Ridge Road and hike back the “foot-travel-only” portion of the road (behind the gate) for about 0.58 miles. This trail is at an obvious turn-off to the left!
From the parking lot, this trail is about 1 miles to the arch (so about 2 miles round trip), BUT there is a LOT more to hike and discover out there (Star Gap Trail), so I suggest doing that, or combining this with Double Arch and/or Auxier Ridge trails!

Things to know about the route to Star Gap Arch: There is a rocky slope “scramble” portion to get down to the arch. It can be intimidating from above, but a good “butt slide” should do the trick to get down, and I’ve never had an issue getting back up with good traction shoes. Although, if you want, instead of going down the slope, you can take a left when you see it and wind along the rock until it kinda intersects with the bottom (I feel like that was confusing, but long story short – you can bypass the “rock scramble” portion if you’re not feeling *spicy*). EDIT: Since I made this video, someone came by and cut down the tree I show as a “turn off” point for the rock scramble in the video below…You can still look for exposed rock and the clump of trees at the bottom!

I’ve hiked the trail to this arch many times with my small dog, Pippin, and never have had an issue. I would think that (for the most part), kids and dogs would do okay on this trail!

Another cool thing to note: You might notice growth of White-Haired Goldenrod underneath the arch! This species of plants ONLY grows in rock shelters of the Red River Gorge!! So, PLEASE enjoy with pictures only and watch your step! 🙂

Star Gap Arch Trail

Indian Staircase Trail

This one requires THREE different videos, y’all. It is a doozy, but one of the most magnificent trails in the Red! This one requires EXPOSED rock scrambling. There is nothing to correct a fall on the “staircase” portion of this trail. I’m not trying to scare anyone off from hiking this, but I also want everyone to be prepared for this one, because it is one of the more extreme unofficial trails of the Red. With that being said, if you approach the staircase and don’t think it’s for you, there’s no shame in turning back! For these reasons, it is my opinion that this is not the trail for kids or dogs.


Anyway, assuming you do the staircase and complete the trail as seen in the videos below, you are in for a serious treat! The canyon rim is incredible and there is so much to explore and see. Don’t miss Shawnee Arch (not shown in video, but is located along the rim at the top of the staircase), Frogs Head (pictured), and the Council Chamber (a huge rock shelter as you traverse around the edge of the rim to connect back to the Sheltowee Trace! I’ve also included the side trail to Adena Arch (you should totally hike this if you’re already in the area), and the way back to complete the loop, passing by Indian Arch (one of my favorite “colored” rock walls is through and to the left of this arch!

You start this loop hike by parking at the Bison Way Trailhead (before the bridge over where Gladie Creek flows into the Red River before turning right into the Gladie Visitor Center…if you are coming from the Nada Tunnel side of Route 715). The entire loop with the added extension out to Adena Arch is roughly 4.5 miles.

Have fun, & be prepared and safe!

Indian Staircase Trail – Part 1
Indian Staircase Trail – Part 2
Indian Staircase Trail Part 3 + Adena Arch Extension

Vampires, Werewolves, and Turds

Hey y’all! It’s been a minute, so here we are with another “Slice of Life-Darren and Rachel Gorge Time Episode-Adventure Podcast Time”! We talk generally about what kind of hikes we’ve been up to recently including time spent at The Wilds, Natural Bridge State Park, and some Gorge adventures including seeing Powder Mill & Wolf Pen Arches for the first time, and doing a loop trail featuring the “Adena Direct II” trail, and a section of the Sheltowee Trace and Bison Way trails! We also somehow get onto a conversation about vampires, werewolves, and – you guessed it – TURDS. Again. #SorryNotSorry

Trails featured in this episode:
* Sunset Point Overlook Trail (The Wilds)
*Powder Mill Trail featuring Powder Mill Arch/Wolf Pen Arch to Blackburn Rock Overlook
*Random Tunnel Ridge Road Trails
*Adena Direct II (featuring Adena Arch)
*Original Trail + Laurel Ridge Trail + Lovers Leap

Thank you again for listening and we hope you can get out and try some of these trails! Remember to #LeaveNoTrace and you can follow us on Instagram & TikTok @Tread_the_Red and find our Etsy Shop by searching “Tread the Red” on Etsy (or by using any of the included links in the show notes). Happy hiking!

The Gladie Cultural & Environmental Learning Center GRAND REOPENING!

Hi all of you listeners! We’ve got a special “feature” episode for you this week. Darren and I got the opportunity to talk with Brittney and Joey Santiago from FIND Outdoors all about the grand reopening of the Gladie Cultural and Environmental Learning Center! We learned about Brittney and Joey’s journey of how they ended up living and working in the Gorge with FIND Outdoors, about FIND Outdoors, and alllllll about the reopening of the Gladie Visitor Center! The center will be reopened on March 30th and there will be a weekend FULL of grand reopening activities on April 2nd & 3rd! If you don’t have plans to be in the Gorge that weekend, you should definitely make them and swing by the visitor center for an awesome time.

A Conversation with Dan Shields from RRG United

In this week’s episode of Tread the Red, Rachel and Darren chat with Dan Shields from RRG United. RRG United is a volunteer-based group established out of a perceived need to oppose a proposed development near the Red River Gorge, a proposed development that the members unilaterally agree is out-of-scale with the region and poorly located for the expressed benefit which it claims to be seeking. RRG United consists of local business owners, community leaders, and concerned residents unified against the “top-down” methods by which this development has progressed, and any other development that might overwhelm capacity of local infrastructure, disrupt local economies, and destroy or degrade natural resources in the region.
In this episode we break down the proposed “destination resort” of the Gorge and chat about what this means for the region. You can find this information and much more on RRG United’s website, rrgunited.org.
If you are able to, you can donate to the organization through Paypal, Venmo, or check. Every little bit helps, and they have an established goal on their donation page, as well with a break down of prices! Rachel is also donating 50% of her Etsy sales from the month of March to RRG United. You can find her shop, Tread the Red, on Etsy.
Thank you to everyone who listens! We hope this episode was informative and also provided some clarity on the issue at hand!

Where’s Waldo in Muir Valley – Waterfalls of the Red Pt.3

Here we are with Waterfalls of the Red Pt.3!! This will be the conclusion of this specific “mini-series” of the podcast. We hope we gave you lots of waterfalls to put on your list to check out sometime soon! In this segment (Pt.3), we discuss waterfalls located on specific properties in the RRG Region – Muir Valley Nature Preserve, the Creekview Property of Stayover Cabins, and Graining Fork Nature Preserve.
* Horseshoe Falls

New items listed in the Tread the Red Etsy shop! Also, 50% of proceeds from items sold throughout the month of March will be donated to RRG United to push objectives that protect the RRG area.

Thank you so much for listening! We appreciate all of you. 😀

A Muir Valley Introduction

Have you heard about Muir Valley? Muir Valley is a nonprofit nature preserve and rock climbing park that is located right within the Red River Gorge area! It is about 360 acres and features over 400 climbs (both trad and sport), and several hiking trails with waterfalls, caves, arches, and mountain streams. Some things to know before making a trip to Muir Valley:
* You MUST sign the online waiver before visiting!
* There is a $10/vehicle per day parking fee
* No dogs are allowed! For a comprehensive list of rules/regulations, click here.

You can view the Muir Valley Legacy Film on their website!

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls is located within Muir Valley. Muir Valley is a nonprofit nature preserve and rock climbing park located in the Red River Gorge area and is about 360 acres with over 400 climbs (both trad and sport) and several hiking trails with waterfalls, caves, and mountain streams. The trail to Horseshoe Falls is about 1.8 miles out-and-back with Horseshoe Falls at the terminus. Horseshoe Falls is a two tier waterfall that falls from a rock shelter shaped like a horseshoe bend! It is really neat to stand behind the waterfall under the rock shelter and gain that unique perspective! I would definitely recommend adding a trip to Muir Valley for your RRG explorations – even if you are just a hiker and not a climber! Some things to note about Muir Valley:
*You MUST sign an online waiver on their website before visiting!
*There is a $10/vehicle per day parking fee to access the area!
*No dogs allowed!

You can view my introductory video to Muir Valley here, and you can also view the Muir Valley Legacy Film on their website!

Horseshoe Falls Trail

Rock Bridge Trail #207

Rock Bridge Trail (#207): WOW! This trail is one of the most popular loop hikes of the Red River Gorge and for GOOD REASON! Park at the parking lot at the end of the gravel Rock Bridge Road and hike this ~1.5 mile loop to see Creation Falls – a beautiful picturesque waterfall – and Rock Bridge – a natural sandstone arch that spans across Swift Camp Creek. According to the Forest Service, this is the only arch across water in the RRG region. This trail also features a cool rock shelter a short distance near the trail near the end of the loop (if hiking this trail clockwise like I do in this video!). This trail is perfect for kids and dogs and features a really cool sandy “beach” area near the waterfall. Definitely put this one on your list if you are visiting the Gorge area!

Rock Bridge Trail (#207)

If Ya Like to Get Your Feet Wet ;) Waterfalls of the Red Pt.2

Hello and welcome to Part 2 of our Waterfalls of the Red mini-series! We are back with some more waterfalls for y’all! Here’s a look at the ones we talk about in this episode:
* Copperas Falls
* Hopewell Arch waterfall (yes, I know this isn’t really a WATERFALL, but it is also really pretty when water drains through the crescent moon opening in this arch so shhhh)
*Big Trickle Falls (or Rainbow Falls if you’re me)
* Eagle Point Buttress Falls

Also, some “Red” Alerts!:
* The Gladie Visitor Center will be reopening in late March! The weekend of April 1-3 will be filled with fun re-opening activities/events, so you should definitely mark your calendars! There are also a couple of job positions available (apply online at gofindoutdoors.org !) And if you have any further questions about employment, interest in volunteering, or if you are a local that wants to be involved with educational events, email Gladie@gofindoutdoors.org ! Also, go follow the site manager of the Gladie Visitor Center on Instagram at @adventures.with.britt !

*Applications for this year’s Red River Gorge Farmers Market are NOW OPEN! Apply at rrgfm.com

*MOSS MADNESS!! It’s happening!!! Email me your mossy submissions no later than the end of this month (February 28th)!!! Also, know that these submissions can be both serious nice moss shots OR goofy weirdo shots of you posing with a nice bed of moss. I’ve only got a couple goofy submissions so far, so I’m hoping to get a couple more. Get out there this week/weekend and snag some good ones! Email them to treadtheredpodcast@gmail.com.

Hope everyone is doing well and happy hiking!