Officially known as the Red River Gorge Geological Area, it is part of the much larger Daniel Boone National Forest. Keep Louisville interesting and support LEO Weekly by subscribing to our newsletter here. Even if you chose not to go this route, it is still worth walking out a little ways, just to see the side view of the Indian Staircase! As you may suspect, I survived, and the reward was absolutely worth the risk. I look forward to another hike on this route, not only to venture into these unexplored areas, but also to give the staircase a better assessment without the first-time intimidation factor, and to take more photographs documenting the climb. There are more areas we did not have time to explore on this hike, including the area on top and to the east of the staircase, as well as some interesting sounding features a friend told me about that are beyond the point we turned back near the Council Chamber rock shelter. They realized that their kids had a lot in common and that they should meet.
CAUTION - Scramble at Indian Staircase. Be sure to reward yourself with pizza at the famous Miguel's pizza!! Located about 45 minutes southeast of Lexington, Kentucky, and an easy two to two-and-a-half hour drive from Cincinnati, Ohio, Red River Gorge is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. However, on the way, there's a passage which sneaks down the cliff to your left and comes to the largest rock shelter in the Gorge. Further out, you see two fingers extending southward, both tree covered but with sheer cliffs dropping down. It meanders along at a mid mountain level, around mossy boulders, with the Red River below, and limestone cliffs above. I thank you for sticking through it with me. This, of course, is the section of the trail that gives the rock formation its name. We recognized some hikers and hitched a ride back. The Indian Staircase Petroglyphs are a series of concentric circles, roughly the size of a half-dollar coin, carved by hand on a slab of rock found in Council Chamber. We had started this trail together, and we would finish together. You need to brace yourself in advance about the Fence Lizards (left) which scamper back and forth across the boulder face. Also, there is another route using the split rock on approach right if you have rudimentary climbing skills. When descending, crab-walking is the way to go - keep your butt near the ground and use all fours to walk it down making sure to place your heel squarely within each of the 'stairs'.
I cut my teeth earlier in the season by hiking the Unofficial Copperas Creek Trail just to get a taste for off-trail exploring before attempting this hike. All throughout the face of this cliff as it extends to Indian Staircase are a series of shallow caves that were used as cliff dwellings by prehistoric people. Even though the main trail appears to head straight up the hill, the real main trail ("The Bison Way Spur") goes right. He had become braver than me; he had succeeded.
In the photo at left, the girls are basically scooting down on their butts. Along this stretch of trail is a small off-trail path leading to one of the areas largest rock shelters, named the Sand Castle, and a bonus arch, Sheltowee Shelf Arch. Before this trip, I hadn't slept in a tent since I was a kid, so I was really excited (and a little nervous, because you know, bears…) about the opportunity to sleep under the stars and roast marshmellows over a campfire. The approach trail climbs rapidly, heading northwest off the main trail. The sandstone was warm from the morning sun despite the hazy mist and cloud cover. Even the official trails can be rugged and difficult. Here is where I lost it. And remember - better to turn back and hike another day if it's not right for you! Topping the Indian Staircase just after sunrise and yelling into the box canyon below, an experience that just can't be beat.
The scrambles on Indian Staircase & Cloudsplitter can be deadly. Indian Staircase is a huge cliff face, that has been worn down over many, many years of foot travel! Continue until joining the Sheltowee Trace and turn left. Read more of their stories here. We thought that this would eventually lead us to the foot of the staircase, but we came around a sharp corner on a high and narrow trail only to realize that we'd already reached the top via an alternate route. It might shock some to know that just below the summit, within the rock itself is a hidden cave containing one of the most unique arches in Red River Gorge, Cloud Splitter Arch.
This hike is a very special and magical place. Avenza Maps offline GPS app on your mobile device can locate you on any map, without WiFi or network connectivity. Look for a write up from me on the Star Gap Arch/Double Arch/Auxier ridge area soon. Battleship Rock provides a beautiful view of Natural Bridge from about a mile away (as pictured above), but the trail eventually leads across the top of the bridge, which in return offers an unobstructed view of the immense Battleship Rock (as pictured below). And if you're not comfortable, don't go. Matt and Carson love playing tennis together as doubles partners and as practice partners, hiking, skiing, playing cards and games, cooking, watching movies… so many things. No comments posted yet. A better option is to take the Adena Arch trail which is significantly less frequented and provides a couple of sites that are a good option. I recommend anyone who likes to hike to come check out the red river gorge and this amazing trail. The whining and complaining along this last downhill section was great as the little green briars and holly trees welcomed all those who had on shorts with open arms. I hiked this area a few years ago with my brother and father and it was honestly the most amazing adventure of my life, absolutely unforgettable. Convinced my son was coming behind me, I couldn't back down, I couldn't be the reason he lost his footing because of my fear.
It's a real trail, well used, easy to follow. The road through the RRG is narrow and winding, in some places making seemingly 90 degree turns with sketchy shoulders that could lead to a painful landing, if not, an untimely death. There are established campsites in the backcountry that should be used in order to minimize the impact on the land and all campsites are on a first-come first-served basis. On the map, the route mimics a long twisting rope with a lasso forming the loop at the very top. Spectacular views like the header photo of Indian Staircase taken from across the valley are common throughout the gorge. This section of trail provides great viewpoints of the surrounding cliffs/valleys and also has a few campsites that are more secluded than those located closer to Indian Staircase. Simply follow this back to your campsite and have a relaxing evening at camp. Indian Arch is a major intersection for the Sheltowee Trace and the unofficial trail system in this area. The easiest one is quite large, and is the second one you will come to. With footholds straddling each side, I placed my feet in these holds and pushed myself forward. There is zero chance I'd take young children on this hike. But I couldn't bring myself to face it again.
Added by Jen Kachinski. After we prepared the campsite and erected our tent on Saturday morning, we set out to find and climb the infamous Indian Staircase, a very smooth and steep rock face that adventurous hikers can scale with no equipment by relying on small recesses worn into the rock over hundreds of years.
You will be looking for the "Bison Way" trail head parking. Just keep reminding yourself that the fence lizard eats spiders, flies, centipedes and other crawling and flying critters and does not attack humans. Even if you do not climb the staircase itself, it is still worth taking the long way around to get to the top by following the Sheltowee Trace and coming in from the west. Give them a wide berth or wait for them to move off the trail. From the intersection, you'll climb slightly, level out, eventually cross Greasy Creek again, and come sharply back to your left. You'll eventually come to a giant carin on your right with a marked tree. It is a very adventurous hike full of climbing up rock faces and grand overlooks.
I do not know if the 2013 edition has been updated to include this area. This larger than life arch spans 39 feet across the Sheltowee Trace Trail, at the edge of a massive cliff. I looked down at the ledge I was on, scared to blink my eyes for fear that I would tumble off the side of the dangerous cliff. Keep me logged in all the time. Once at the top of the ridge the trails become somewhat hard to follow as there are many social trails leading to various campsites. Best Time to Go: Red River Gorge is accessible year round. Terrified, I had made my way to the top of the damn staircase after failing three prior attempts. The views from the Adena Arch ridge also provide a great spot for watching the sunset and for stargazing. There's the major set, seen here at right, and a secondary set further over, which the girls in the photos are using. You've got this, " he yelled from the top. Not a word from behind me, but I felt him as he had made his way back down to where I was sitting. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.