KY>Red River Gorge> Jan/Feb

[dougalcorn]

Any dates yet?

Yes, kind of. I had forgotten about this thread but coincidently planned a trip to RRG for this weekend.

I'm actually headed down this weekend, 2/7-9. My intent is to leave after work on Friday and park near Martin's Fork. I'll setup camp near the car since it'll be kinda dark by the time I will arrive. Then Saturday, I'll get up and hike the loop around Gray's Arch, then the Rough Trail. That night, I'll just camp along the way where I can find. Sunday, turn around and hike back along Koomer Ridge trail and Buck Trail back to the car.

We don't get a lot of free weekends, so my inclination is to "go for it".

If anyone would like to join us, you are welcome.

I'm still planning on going. Here's an updated weather snippet:

[Broken Halo]

Unfortunately, this weekend does not look good for me. Hopefully I can catch another outing.

FYI - I just say that campgrounds and roads in the Gorge are closed. Didn't see a mention for how long.

[Edie]

I'm working the next two weekends

[dougalcorn]

FYI - I just [saw] that campgrounds and roads in the Gorge are closed. Didn't see a mention for how long.

Thanks for alerting me. I just called the forestry service to ask about it. All of the state and county roads are open. All of the forestry service roads are closed. The DBNF itself is open and all of the trails are open; just none of the service roads to them.

She said it was very icy there. The tops of trees have a lot of ice causing branches to fall or trees to topple. She advised extreme caution.

As I said, I don't get a lot of free weekends. I hate to give this one up, but maybe I will.

[Broken Halo]

Watch out for those widowmakers!

[Edie]

Ice in the trees would make for some dangerous hanging.

[ace8077]

I'm still interested in doing this, but I still need someone else to take on the planning: dates, site selection, what have you. I'm building up my winter kit and testing more gear this weekend, but I'm still a novice in nearly every way.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm up for the trip, just not into the planning.

[dougalcorn]

I went last night. Camped up the hill from Martins Fork trail head. Got down to about 20*. We pitched at night and didn't get a good hang or a good night sleep.

My boy was pretty discouraged. I talked him into packing up and doing a day hike to grays arch. I thought I might be able to talk him into another night. Turns out the trails were in pretty rough shape: a lot of ice everywhere. We couldn't make it all the way to grays arch. Just too icy. I took several spills and finally decided to call it quits. We hiked back to the car and now home.

[Mountnman]

Did you hit Miguels Pizza on your way out?? Mmmmm Good!!

[dougalcorn]

Did you hit Miguels Pizza on your way out?? Mmmmm Good!!

Sadly, this is the off season for Miguel. I believe he's in Portugal for the winter.