Natural Bridge Natural Bridge State Park Powell County Kentucky Back in January I got a perfect opportunity to visit Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park right after a snow event. I just don't think conditions could have been more perfect as 3 or 4 inches blanketed the trees, while underneath the canopy along the trails the ground was nearly uncovered. That morning we arrived we hiked up to Lookout Point via the Devil's Gulch. For the most part the hike was pretty easy, all but at Devil's Gulch where it requires a steep climb through a crevice in the cliff side, first involving man made steps then ending in the last 15 ft was steps etched in the cliff face covered in ice. I thought to myself, "you've got to be kidding me" but I had my Yaktrax Ice Walkers on and against my fears I made the final ascent. At the top I looked back down the steps and couldn't believe I'd gone down them on a summer day several years earlier. Lookout point offers a wonderfully picturesque view of Natural Bridge and with all the snow on the trees it was simply incredible. Definitely one of my favorite trips of the year. Now, if only I can get to Grey's Arch in nearby Red River Gorge in these conditions...
Natural Bridge Natural Bridge State Park Powell County Kentucky is from an evening solo hike I took up to Natural Bridge Arch a few weeks ago. You have got to love Tuesday hikes, for the most part it was just myself, the views and the arch. It was a much needed cleansing from the daily stress. After visiting Natural Bridge I went out to Lookout Point for some views and it turns out I wasn't disappointed. Clouds were making their way in from the west making for some cool pastel colors over the arch. Honestly, it was a bucket list moment with the beautiful light and the fall colors. Good times with just myself and nature!
Far Side Of Contrary Arch Bear Track Lake Adventures Lee County Kentucky I got out with good friend Christopher Morris for some much needed socializing and exploring! Our first visit of the day we stopped by Bear Track Lake Adventures for a private property adventure that included a few small caves, a potentially awesome waterfall, a couple large rock recesses, a gorgeous lake, a small arch and a significantly sized arch. Our main goal was to visit the significantly sized arch named The Far Side Of Contrary Arch. We met Fred the owner at his lake and drove to his nearby residence where we parked to begin our trek. At the age of 80, Fred explained he’s not up for hiking like he used to be so he hopped on his tractor and Chris and I followed along. Having owned the property for over 30 years Fred has had plenty of time to build his own trails around the 6 acre lake. The trail, which is really a road, passes by all the landforms on the property and used to circle the entire lake. Unfortunately a washout at the headwaters of the lake has made it impossible for a vehicle to pass, however it is a fairly easy scramble to the other side which is what Chris and I did, while Fred drove around. We met Fred at the arch and my goodness what a beauty! One of the first things I noticed was the lack of vegetation surrounding the arch. Fred told us that before he bought the property live music was played here. The band would stand outside the rock house while the audience would sit under it. He also believes that some of the soil below the rock house was dug out. As we completed our trip around the lake it’s pretty apparent that this is one of the coolest places to stay near the Red River Gorge. Two of the three rentals are located directly on the lake, then you have access to the numerous landforms that surround it. One could certainly spend a weekend here and not have to leave. Check out beartracklakeadventures.com and get yourself a cabin, I promise you, I think you’ll enjoy it!
