Red River Gorge, KY 3/26-3/28

I completed my first real camping outing in my new hammock with a couple of ground dwelling friends in Red River Gorge, KY. Had a great time and slept better than I ever have on the ground in my tent. I used my new MacCat Dlux which arrived just in time the day before my trip.(THANKS BRIAN!!) Even though I was not able to apply a very tight pitch due to the sand below me, the MacCat still performed great in the thunderstorm that hit us early Sunday morning.

Until my crowsnest is ready I am using a GG 1/4 wide pad along with a Cat's Meow 20 deg bag. I also laid an Adventure Medical emergency bivy bag between the GG pad and my sleeping bag. Even though the temp dropped below 30 deg Friday night, I did not get cold with this combination. The GG 1/4 pad really is amazing though admittedly a pain in the neck to actually get situated. I look forward to the comfort of crowsnest.

Red River Gorge had great rock outcroppings to hike up to and explore and water was springing from the hill sides all over the place. I did not get to explore any of the designated trails but choosing an interesting rock formation and setting out after it was lots of fun. I will return.:D

Sounds like a good time. RRG is too far from me but looks like a great place. Your setup looks good.

What part of the Gorge were you in? About ten of us (3 hammocks in the bunch) did Rough Trail and stayed overnight around Chimney Top Creek. When the rain came early Sunday morning, I was glad I had my SWT to keep me dry! Fortunately the rain broke long enough to get packed up, make breakfast and clean up around camp...but as soon as the packs went back on, the rain came down in buckets!

Glad you enjoyed the Gorge...It's always been one of my favorite places.

Great report ... thanks for posting

Nice pics. I'll definitely be heading back to RRG one of these days.


Jerry

congrads on your new hammock setup. welcome to HF

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Originally Posted by bdpalace

What part of the Gorge were you in? About ten of us (3 hammocks in the bunch) did Rough Trail and stayed overnight around Chimney Top Creek. When the rain came early Sunday morning, I was glad I had my SWT to keep me dry! Fortunately the rain broke long enough to get packed up, make breakfast and clean up around camp...but as soon as the packs went back on, the rain came down in buckets!

Glad you enjoyed the Gorge...It's always been one of my favorite places.

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We were located off Indian Creek after turn B about 200 yards before the dam. Indian Creek is not shown on the latest map of the area but one of my ground dwelling friends new about it from a previous trip. They had stocked the stream with trout in March and we were able to catch one with a flyrod. Can't keep any until April though. This was more of a camping trip rather than hiking but I plan on going back to explore the trails as well.

We also cooked breakfast and got packed up just in time Sunday morning before the second wave of rain hit. I think the best thing about RRG is that you can camp virtually anywhere you want by law as long as you stay a reasonably safe distance from the cliffs. Having to stick to designated camp sites is pretty boring IMO. Did you camp at the top of any scenic ridges?

RRG is an amazing place. Feels like home.

Glad you had fun. Hammocks in the RRG are really great since level spots can be few and far between.

I tend to camp near creeks and streams instead of ridges, but definitely enjoy all of the scenic overlooks and arches.