Gems of the Bluegrass: A Five-Day Getaway in Kentucky

The Trip

Enjoy a bite-size trip in the beauty of Central Kentucky! This is typically the peak fall color season in this part of Kentucky!

We will shuttle participants from the airport to our hotel. That evening, we will take in a bit of nightlife in Lexington and have dinner (not included in the trip cost) at a local foodie favorite. We will also tour a thoroughbred racetrack with backstretch glimpses for an in-depth look at the thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. Weather permitting, we will have a picnic breakfast there. Time permitting, we will visit the Kentucky Horse Park. Following this, we travel to the heart of Central Kentucky; there lies the gem that is the Red River Gorge. Saved from flooding in the 1960s, it is a landscape full of wondrous arches and panoramic views and rich in geological significance. It is also a rock-climbing destination for climbers all over the country! We will stay in state park cabins (double occupancy), take in several day hikes, and enjoy a presentation by local Sierra Club members. Finally, we will take a day paddle on the Red River, which runs the heart of the gorge and was granted status as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1993.

Day 1: Arrive in Lexington, Kentucky, where we will shuttle everyone to our hotel. If time permits (depending on arrivals), we may tour the Kentucky Horse Park in the afternoon/evening. From there, we will drive to a local foodie restaurant for dinner (not included in trip price).

Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to the historic Keeneland Race Track for a backstretch tour of the facility. Weather permitting, we will have a picnic breakfast there. If we didn't have a chance the previous day to tour the Horse Park, we may be able to do so after the track tour. We’ll have lunch in the field. From there, we will travel to the Red River Gorge (approximately a 1-hour drive from Lexington). Once the group has checked into our cabins in the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, the leaders will provide dinner for the group at our cabin.

Day 3: After breakfast (which the leaders will provide), we will shuttle to the Gorge trailheads and day hike one of the prettiest loops in the park. This will be at least a 5-mile hike, with some moderate to strenuous climbs and descents. We will eat lunch on the trail. Following this, we hope to visit the Gladie Visitors Center where there are excellent exhibits featuring the Gorge’s geology, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Dinner will be at a local restaurant near the park, which is a destination for the climbing community!

Day 4: After breakfast (again, provided by the leaders) and some leisure time, we will head out to the nearby outfitter for a paddle on the Red River with shuttle, canoes, PFDs and paddles provided. We will have lunch in the field, and then head out for another brief day hike with some amazing views as time allows. This hike will only be about 4½ miles and easy-to-moderate trails underfoot, but rewarding overlooks! After this, we will head back to the park where the leaders will provide dinner. Some local Sierra Club folks will give a brief presentation about the conservation issues of the Red River Gorge.

Day 5: After (leader-provided) breakfast, we will hike up to the top of Natural Bridge, right outside of the lodge. There will be the opportunity to take additional side-hikes from the top of the Bridge – Lover’s Leap, etc – and have lunch at the top. From there, the group will head back to the Lexington airport.

Getting There

Lexington Airport is a decently sized airport for the area and is well-serviced by most airlines. If driving, Lexington is located off I 75 and I 64, which intersect there. Lexington is about 1½ hours south of Cincinnati. Transportation will be provided to and from the airport and throughout the trip.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

In Lexington, we will be staying at a comfortable hotel (double occupancy) in the area. At the Red River Gorge, we will be staying at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and participants will again be double-occupancy. Some cabins, however, have two queens/bedroom and others have one queen/bedroom and all cabins will have two or more people. To the extent possible, room preferences will be honored in the order of signing up and being approved for the trip. Leaders will have a cabin on the property, where we will be hosting breakfasts and dinners. All breakfasts and lunches are included, and two of the four dinners as well. There will be two meals at local restaurants, which are not included in the price of the trip, one in Lexington and one near the park.

Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have been approved for the trip and are advised by the leader that it is OK to do so.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is rated as moderately difficult.

Equipment and Clothing

For day hikes, hiking boots are recommended due to the rough backcountry terrain of the gorge. You will need daypacks and water bottles/bladders, a lunch container, good rain protection (no ponchos!), an insulating layer such as a fleece, a small personal “ouch” kit with bandaids, etc., and comfortable but adequate clothing for hiking. Hiking pole(s) are also recommended. A more detailed list of gear will be sent to all who sign up for and are confirmed for the trip.

References

Books:

• Berry, Wendell, The Unforeseen Wilderness. University of Kentucky Press, 1971. 
• Hiking The Red. Compiled by Members of the Bluegrass Group Sierra Club.

Maps:

• Red River Gorge Geological Area/Daniel Boone National Forest - U.S. Forest Service

Conservation

The Red River Gorge was targeted for a flood-control dam proposed in 1967. The Local Sierra Club leader at the time, Oscar Geralds, petitioned the Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas to visit the area, ahead of any decision being rendered. Justice Douglas agreed, and at the invitation of Geralds and the local Sierra Club, visited and hiked the trails of the Red River Gorge. Upon recognizing the unique beauty of the area, as well as the archaeological significance, the dam proposal was shelved, and the Gorge later recognized as a National Archeological District. As late as 1993, the final protection was put in place by declaring a 20-mile stretch of the Red River as one of the nation’s Wild and Scenic Rivers. Currently, the “Red” is a mecca for rock climbers all over the country, and is a local favorite for hikers and campers. Current issues that challenge the future of the Gorge include invasive vegetation, overuse of certain high-traffic areas, and effects of climate change. 

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.