Directions: Red River Gorge Hang Out Nov. 16-18

**headchange4u** · 11-04-2007, 12:44

I thought I would post the directions to the hang out in it's own thread so it wouldn't get lost in the shuffle.

I am assuming that you can find your way to the Slade exit off the Mountain Parkway. I am giving the route to the shortest hike in to the camp site. There are longer routes you can take. If you want a longer hike in send me a PM and I will give you directions.

From the Slade exit:

Turn toward the Shell gas station and Hwy 15 when getting off the exit. Make a right onto Hwy 15 South/East. You will go about 3.5 miles until you see Tunnel Ridge Road on your left (gravel road). Turn left onto Tunnel Ridge and drive about 1 mile until you see the Gray's Arch parking area on your right (point A on the map).

After parking at Gray's Arch, walk out of the parking lot and turn left on Tunnel Ridge Road and walk about 100 yards and you will see the Sheltowee Trace your left (Trail 100, point H on the map). Take the Sheltowee Trace until you come to a fork in the trail. You want to take the left fork onto Rush Ridge Trail (Trail 227, point O on the map). Follow Rush Ridge for about a mile and you will come to the Rough Trail (Trail 221, point D on the map). Make a right onto Rough Trail. Not long after hiking on Rough Trail you will come to a steep rock. Be careful here. Trail continues straight after rock. Follow it downhill until you come to a creek. This is the location of the hang out.

RRG use white diamond blazes except for the Sheltowee Trace which uses a turtle.

GPS Waypoints:

A = Gray's Arch Parking Lot = 37.80808 N 83.65621 W
H = Tunnel Ridge Rd/Sheltowee = 37.80724 N 83.65621 W
O = Sheltowee/Rush Ridge = 37.80767 N 83.65327 W
D = Rush Ridge/Rough Trail = 37.81917 N 83.64659 W
Camp site = 37.81554 N 83.64133 W

A group of us will be meeting at the Shell Station, right off the Slade exit, at about 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Plan for night time temps in the low 30's, possibly upper 20's.

Be sure to pick up an overnight back country pass at the shell station (about $3.00).

If you have any questions send me a PM.

**Doctari** · 11-04-2007, 15:12

Great directions!!

I was just down @ RRG (I really NEEDED a solo hike!) & was in a similar valley; same orientation creeks & etc, The temp didn't get below freezing, but I was C O L D AM the next day (Fri nite, Sat AM) so come prepared!!! Thankfully, I did.

Looks like I MAY be able to come Fri & Sat.

Doctari.

**headchange4u** · 11-04-2007, 15:36

Originally Posted by Doctari

Looks like I MAY be able to come Fri & Sat.

Doctari.

That's great!!!!

Who else is pretty sure they are gonna make it and what days do you plan on attending? I would like to get a rough head count.

I wouls still like to do the hot dog dinner on Saturday night. As I said in the planning thread, I will bring the hot dogs. We'll als need:

Hot Dogs - headchange4u
Buns - hooch
Paper Plates (burnable) - Cerberus
condiments - skskinner
side items - Doctari
chips - ridgepsycho
desert - GrizzlyAdams

What else?

As mentioned there is also a fire ban in the RRG at the moment. We have had some rain in the past few weeks and things weren't that dry when I went on a day hike last week. It was kinda damp in the valleys. I think we may be able to build a small fire to cook with as long as we keep an eye on it. Honestly I can't imagine not having at least a small fire at night to sit around. I will still bring my wood burning stove just in case.

**rigidpsycho** · 11-04-2007, 16:51

I should be able to come and if I do I will bring chips. What kind does everyone like. I will be getting them for free(getting them from Friend who work for Frito Lay) He is gonna give me enough for at least 10 people. I will be coming down sometime early Saturday.

**Nest** · 11-04-2007, 17:26

I'll be there the whole weekend, and meeting at the Shell Station. Guess I will bring the plates unless someone already has them.

**Hooch** · 11-04-2007, 17:26

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Who else is pretty sure they are gonna make it and what days do you plan on attending? I would like to get a rough head count.

You know I'm going to be there.

Wouldn't miss this for the world! I'm getting all excited that I get to hang in the backcountry 2 weekends in a row! Boo-ya! (Insert dancing banana here!) I'll bring the buns, so mark me down. HC, U still riding with me? If you are, I'll get up with you to figure out a time to pick you up to head down to the Gorge. See y'all there!

BTW, thanks for starting this tread, most excellent idea!

**headchange4u** · 11-04-2007, 17:38

I edited the list above to reflect the items people volunteered to bring.

Hooch,
Still riding with you.

rigidpsycho,
I'll eat any kind of chips. The best kind are free....

**Hooch** · 11-04-2007, 17:42

Originally Posted by headchange4u

I edited the list above to reflect the items people volunteered to bring.

Hooch,
Still riding with you.

rigidpsycho,
I'll eat any kind of chips. The best kind are free....

Cool, I'll shoot you a PM or give you a call after I get back from my section in NC with DevilDoc. I don't see the edit on the list, didn't take maybe?

**headchange4u** · 11-04-2007, 18:01

List is now fixed.

**Doctari** · 11-04-2007, 18:44

OK, provided I have gas money

Im in

Don't know what to bring food wise tho. At Mt Rogers the tater salad & cole slaw were,,, chilly. Maybe a thermos of Soup? I got a BIG thermos, I think. Or maybe a few 2 ltr bottles of soda??