11/08/2013
For those wanting to join up with the Louisville group heading to RRG this Saturday for a sight-seeing Jeep Trip.. here is the info below.
So here is a rough outline of the route over to RRG on Saturday.. giving folks an idea of what to expect to get there. We will meet at Exit 28 in Simpsonville at the Pilot Gas Station.. right next to the interstate at 9am. Heading out by 9:30am. From there we may or may not be making a stop by to get Rich and Keri North, have not heard for sure yet.. and then on towards RRG via I64. Just past Wi******er, We get on BTC Mountain Pkwy. We will make a stop at exit 22 in Stanton for those needing to get gas again and use the restroom. From there, it will be a 25 min drive on to Slade Ky and RRG! Once there, we will start on the Natural Bridge side, and make stops at the Lodge, so folks can see where we will be doing a return winter Lodge Trip.. then a short drive down the road to the Natural Bridge parking lot. I believe this is a short 3/4 mile hike to this bridge if I remember right.. those that do not want to make this hike of course do not have it.. there is a nice lake another other things near the parking lot to explore as well. After we complete the Natural Bridge, it should be about lunch time. Right next to Natural Bridge and the Lodge, there is Miguel's Pizza.. a small but famous little pizza shop known worldwide for being the place to go for the rock climbers who go to RRG. We will eat lunch there. After that it will be back to the other side of the parkway and RRG Park... The park is basically circled by one main road.. we will be starting left and working our way around.. the first site we see will be Nada Tunnel!
An interesting way to enter the Red River Gorge is through the 900-foot Nada Tunnel, located along KY 77 on Cumberland Ranger District. This tunnel was built for use by a logging railroad during the early 1900s. The tunnel is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The tunnel is a one-way section of a two-way road, drivers must watch for the headlights of oncoming vehicles. It is 12-foot-wide by 13 feet high; so RVs, tour buses and other high vehicles should use extra caution.
Image of road and tunnel entrance with sun streaming through trees.
Gateway to Red River Gorge on the Cumberland Ranger District, Nada Tunnel was constructed to haul logs from timber operations in the Red River Gorge. Construction of the narrow gauge railroad began in December 1910 and was completed in September 1911. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills and hand tools. One man was killed in an explosion when he set frozen dynamite near a fire to thaw.
Starting in 1912, 25-ton and 35-ton Climax locomotives hauled logs for about fifteen miles through the tunnel to the Clay City sawmill. The tunnel brought loggers into the gorge and served as a means to transport wood products.
Today the tunnel brings tourists into the gorge to enjoy and experience its natural wonders. The rugged appearance of the tunnel serves as a reminder of the work and labors of early settlers in the area. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Feel free to google images of the tunnel before arriving. Bring a one lane tunnel.. the front Jeep will proceed first and block the road so all Jeeps will pass through at once.. and we will get some great video in the process!
We will continue on, crossing over the Red River, which runs through and formed RRG, and the next stop will be Gladie Cultural Environmental and Education Center. This is basically the office and visitors center of the park. Probably about 30-60 minutes here, then off to a stop at the Red River...
After this, we will cross a bridge (if it's still there) across the river and head towards Sky Bridge. This is a shorter 1/8 mile hike to get to this very popular bridge and picture area.
Next, we will move on to Chimney Rock.. which is also a short 1/4 mile hike and probably the best view in the park. I have many pictures on my page from here. (Ignore the one of me peeing off it..)
After this, We will move on to Tunnel Ridge Road.. this is a gravel road that takes your through part of the upper area of the park and actually goes over Nada Tunnel. You'd never know going in the tunnel there is a road way at the top!
Last stop will be back at the full circle of Slade where we will let folks make their own journey, and memories home. We love going together on trips, but always encourage Jeep Owners to get out on their own a little on the way home and explore and make some of their own memories!
Those wanting to stay and camp will head to camp from this point.
We hope everyone will have a great time! See you Saturday!
