Figured out a way to cut 2 miles off the loop at Red River Gorge by crossing a dry creek bed

3 comments

3 Comments

July heat last year I took that exact creek bed crossing at the gorge and it was a lifesaver. My dog was panting nonstop and we had maybe a mile of climbing left on the main loop. @campbell.evan you're totally right that sometimes it's less about the view and more about just making it back. I remember thinking I'd rather see the same rocks again than pass out on the trail. We still hit the overlooks before cutting across so it didn't feel like we missed anything big. The creek was dry as a bone that day too so it was an easy walk.

jake1572mo ago

Cutting two miles is nice for time, but it's just a hike. The gorge views are the same either way you go. Not exactly a life changing shortcut.

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campbell.evan2mo ago

Ever tried the shortcut on a super hot day or when your legs are just done? I did that exact thing last summer when my group was wiped out. Those two miles saved us from a miserable slog back to the car, and we still got the main view. Sometimes the shortcut isn't about the scenery, it's about not ruining the whole trip lol.