Friday, May 13, 2016

End of Tunnel Road (part 2)

End of Tunnel Road (part 2)

May 11 2016

I had planned on a 3 day backpacking trip earlier in the week, but I wasn't feel well. Woke up Wed morning and decided that it would be a good day for a trip to the Gorge. Without any planning, I decided to go back to the end of Tunnel Ridge Road, but check out the Auxier Ridge and Double Arch Trails. It had been a while since I had done this loop and I forgot what an awesome hike this is, it has big views from the ridges and a great stretch of trail along the creek (Auxier Branch) in between the two ridges, a little something for everyone.

All of the the mountain laurels are starting to flower and the rhododendron had buds. Found lots of other wildflowers, but I have no idea what they are. I am going to try to get back to the gorge in another week or so to see the flowers in full bloom.









Even the moss below the ridgelines had flowers.

Quaker Ladies Bluets


I had lunch and watched the birds glide above the valley between Auxier Ridge and Double Arch. The only person I saw here was a Forest Service Ranger (1st one I've ever seen on the trails).

Double Arch is right below the bird.




There had been a lot of rain the previous couple of days, so all of the depressions in the rock were filled with water. An unusual view of Raven Rock.

 Ridgeline view towards Courthouse Rock




Random Flowers (identified by copper creek on kywilderness.com)

Maple Leaf Viburnum

Speckled Wood Lily

closeup of Speckled Wood Lily

 Rock and Ferns below Courthouse Rock



Wild Geranium



Yellow Ladyslippers


Along Auxier Branch

Wild Blackberries


Lyre Leaf Sage

Saw a couple salamanders, but they move really fast. This one decided to stay still long enough for a couple pictures.


Double Arch

On top of Double Arch

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Kentucky Wildflowers

Raven Run 4/2/16

A great day for a trail run and lots of flowers blooming. I have no idea what any of these are, but they looked nice.











Sunday, March 27, 2016

End of Tunnel Ridge Road

Saturday March 26 2016

It was a perfect day for a hike. Evidently, everyone who has ever been to the Gorge thought so as well. I have never seen so many cars at the end of Tunnel Ridge Road. My plans were a couple of unofficial trails, so I hoped I would not see too many people (ha!). Given the number of hang tags I saw, my guess is the woods were full that night.

A nice walk along the Double Arch Trail, the Redbuds have started blooming.




Then off towards Star Gap Arch. I explored the ridge line near the arch.


You can see a number of people under the arch. Lots of people decided to visit the arch for the first time. I talked to one couple who lived in the area but had never been to the arch. And then towards the end of Star Gap ridge, there was a young guy and what looked to be his parents. He thought they were on the trail to Double Gap Arch (Of course, there was no map). And a young couple who were going to camp out towards Pepe's Point.


I love what water and sandstone does when given enough time. I still wonder why circles like these end up developing.



View from under the arch



No idea what these flowers are, but I like them.


Star Gap Arch from the trail to Jailhouse Rock.


I passed one guy (and his dog) on his way back from Jailhouse Rock and a couple guys had set up camp near the trail and three young guys were just leaving the Rock as I got there. I was glad to have the truly awesome view from Jailhouse Rock all to myself.
 



A great way to spend a couple of hours.