natural bridge

[mckeddie]

hey, i haven't been there forever, so i don't remember the area at all, but i'm pretty sure we used to drive across a natural bridge up by the narrows? does anyone have any idea what the actual name of that natural bridge is? my brothers have been going down there hiking alot, and have seen all the bridges in teh park. i've always told them about that one, but have no idea what it is called to tell them which one it is.

thanks,
greg

[gothodgie]

I always heard it was called "white's arch"....
I remember there being a hiking trail down one side of it, because i never realized it was an arch till i hiked down there one day.
:beers:

[BIGRAM]

I've heard Whites Arch and Greys Arch, I call it Narrows Rd. That road is shut down to vehicles, the state dug trenches on both ends and piled large. Boulders in the way. You can watch the documentary on youtube. Look for Narrows Rd documentary

[pfreer3]

I've also heard it called the narrows. Eventually we're going to work on a route around it. Planning a clean up soon, I'll post up to gather support.

[BIGRAM]

I've also heard it called the narrows. Eventually we're going to work on a route around it. Planning a clean up soon, I'll post up to gather support.

Not sure what planning a route around will do. There are already roads in place that allow access to the backside to a certain point. The top would be difficult on a 4 wheeler unless you started cutting trees throough the woods and I don't suggest that. It is blocked off at the entrance from Big Ben Rd. They've got the Narrows closed for their own reasons, I don't like it but they do. If it is noticed that people are trying to cut new trails it may draw attention that us locals and all visitors don't want. It's nice driving ten miles to the trails and I would hate to loose that.

[KennyTJ]

It's on Natural Bridge Road.. here is a link;

http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb/restaurant/

There is a ski lift that takes you up to the stone bridge and you can walk over it.

We go every year.

[carwash]

i'm trying to figure out if you posted this as a joke...

that's not the arch they are talking about.

[KennyTJ]

i'm trying to figure out if you posted this as a joke...

that's not the arch they are talking about.

Sorry, it's "The Natural Bridge" down at Slade Ky. only one I've ever heard of.... sorry.

[carwash]

No sorry needed, i thought you were being funnay.

The "natural bridge" with the ski lift etc is a natural bridge there, yes... one of hundreds and hundreds, but the only one accessible by the average person in a minivan.

The arch they are talking about is part of the big bend trail entrance thru the narrows. I've heard it called white's arch before as well.

The trail actually runs across the top of the arch. And it's narrow as hell, hence the name. tough for two rigs to pass each other on it, and don't fall off the side... i imagine you will never be retrieved if it happens.

The trail/road was closed a couple years ago to ohv access due to erosion issues, etc. There is no other way "around" it that is legal. You have to enter somewhere else now.

[mckeddie]

white's branch arch it is, here is a lovely blog i found letting everyone know how evil we are.

tomeblen.bloginky.com/tag/red-river-gorge/

thanks
greg

[carwash]

I feel so dirty now... that's it, I'm done wheeling.

[BIGRAM]

This whole topic has given me something to write about for for Eng 101 class. I just submitted my essay to the columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, We'll see if they post something positive for the area rather than always cutting the wheelers down.
I go through a lot of aluminum cans when I hit the trails but I always bring out more than what I go in with along with a couple stray parts here and there, hope everyone is doing the same. Slade gets a great deal of business from all 4-wheeling groups. All the rock-climbers and hikers buy is pizza. That's the tightest bunch of people I've ever seen and they get all the support. My family has been a part of the campgrounds at Natural Bridge and by the rest area, it is a fact that they try to slip in and steal a free night of camping and try to leave before anyone catches them. You don't see this out of the offroad group. As a local, thanks for all your support to our community, I know the local business owners appreciate it. Your welcome any time.

[blazerbrad]

It always aggravates me some in regards to the way a lot of the local community and "other" visitors to the area view the off-roading crowd. Like said above how much money do the cliff climbers that tent camp and eat their granola contribute to the area? The last trip down there our group paid for around 20 nights of hotel homes, fueled up the trail rigs AND the tow rigs (even if fuel is higher around the area we try to make it a point to fill up at the local stations), plus all of the food and snacks that were bought. Of course we all paid Charles Booth for a day of riding at his place.

On the other hand I also know where a lot of the bad rap for the fourwheeling community comes from and see it everytime we go to Slade. I'm not trying to be preachy and love a beer as much as the next guy, but I'm not quite sure why people need to get sloppy drunk while trailriding. I'm not talking about a beer or two throughout the day, but "I can't hardly walk" drunk. It's a simple fact that the majority of the anti-fourwheeling crowd looks at any alchohol consumption on the trail negatively, and a decent portion of the fourwheeling community looks at drunks on the trail negatively also.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad, such as watching a guy keep backing up and hitting the bottom of Carb in his XJ while his cup of beer sloshes out the window all while we are yelling at him to stop because he broke a rear axle on his D35 and the tire, drum, and broken shaft are laying on the ground 10' behind him (some of the guys on this board where in his group). Then another time coming up to a group being led by some off-road shop out of Kentucky on Widowmaker when the guy started throwing out Jello shots....of course watching 2-3 guys fall on their face trying to get to them because they were so drunk they couldn't walk.

Of course you also have the guys who can't make it up some obstacle so they go blazing through the woods and running over trees to get around it.

[tjjeepjeep]

Technology plays against us to an extent as well. How many hits would a wheeler on a trail w/a slight grade get versus the drunk guy who does a right turn and goes over trees?

I've said it before...We cannot change everyone's perception of us at once. It's unfortunate and not realistic. But if one persons action or a group of people actions, makes someone stop and think "wow I didn't expect that". Then we've won a smaller battle. Any win, is a victory. Unfortunately some battles are fought in the courtroom, and this is where our sport probably falls short. Not from lack of trying/effort/drive, but it's hard to compete with the funds behind some of our opponents.

I drove to Nat Bridge to attend the Forest Service meetings, because it is important. Then my year took a crap and I haven't been involved much. But I know others still are and that they'd holler if help was needed. This year, we'll see what happens.
<getting off my soapbox now>:o

[KennyTJ]

Harlan County... excellent model, the community wants us there, the local government wants us there, they strive to keep up the trails... anyway it's an awsome model of how the local government/community can prosper from embracing the offroad community.

You never hear about any tree huggers complaining about environmental issues down at Black Moutain????

:beers:

[carwash]

harlan is private land tho... big difference.

[BIGRAM]

It would be nice to see Slade in controlled recreational environment. I have rode there all my life and there is opportunity for this. Hopefully the government will see the positives that could come from this.

[Bear Chow]

I planned a trip to white's arch last year with my son. We were going to hike there from the campsite next to the creek. Climb down the side with a box of trash bags and do a good clean up. Spending the night under the arch and hiking out the next morning.

That trip got postponed, maybe we'll make it this year. By the way we just got back from Gaitlenberg and did 47 miles in 3 days. My legs are so worn it was hard to press the gas pedal on the drive home.

[KennyTJ]

harlan is private land tho... big difference.

Isn't it owned by Harlan County??? aside from Black Moutain trails???

[Jordandg]

harlan has a lease with the private land owners i believe

[carwash]

harlan has a lease with the private land owners i believe
correct, at least that's what i have been led to believe.

[HumminNBoatin]

Only a couple of small portions are owned privately. Most of actual park is owned by the county. However the park is surrounded buy private property with trails as well. I was just talking to the park manager Brandon Goins about his last week as I am putting together a HUMMER Event there next month.

[BIGRAM]

I planned a trip to white's arch last year with my son. We were going to hike there from the campsite next to the creek. Climb down the side with a box of trash bags and do a good clean up. Spending the night under the arch and hiking out the next morning.

That trip got postponed, maybe we'll make it this year. By the way we just got back from Gaitlenberg and did 47 miles in 3 days. My legs are so worn it was hard to press the gas pedal on the drive home.

IF you make the trip this year, let me know and I will drive up(to where I can) and haul the trash out. I know there is an Olds Alero down there but it won't fit in a bag. THat will be a good hike, good luck and thanks for your interest in helping clean up.

[tinbeater]

Only a couple of small portions are owned privately. Most of actual park is owned by the county. However the park is surrounded buy private property with trails as well. I was just talking to the park manager Brandon Goins about his last week as I am putting together a HUMMER Event there next month.

Most of the park is owned by a coal company. the county has a long term lease with them.

[Redriverranger]

You beat me to it Greg.

[blazerbrad]

Regarding whether the land is private or government owned, it is different but I have seen about as many private parks shut down as government owned lands to fourwheeling. Typically the local government enforces or restricts zoning laws that prevents these types of places from staying open.