Kayaking the Red River Gorge in Slade, KY

Kayaking the Red River Gorge in Slade, KY

by Chris Chaney

Publication Date: May 2000

In 1993 a 19.4 mile section of the Red River in eastern Kentucky was designated a National Wild and Scenic River. The Red River Gorge, however, was wild and scenic long before 1993. This beautiful and rugged gorge is accessible only by boat or by foot. At times the sandstone walls of the gorge rise directly out of the churning waters of the Upper Red. You won't find many other places in the Eastern United States as breathtaking and awe-inspiring as the Red River Gorge.

The head waters of the Red River are near Lee City in western Wolfe County along the Mountain Parkway. The river then flows west toward the Kentucky River. The Upper Gorge, as far as boaters are concerned, starts at the Big Branch put-in northeast of Campton and continues under the Spraddlin Bridge, on Route 746, to the Concrete Bridge, on Route 715, at the Wolfe/Menifee County Line. This section is Class II-III whitewater depending on water levels and is quite remote for the eastern U.S.

The Middle Gorge begins at the Concrete Bridge and continues for seven to eight miles to the take-out at the Steel Bridge in the shadow of Raven Rock. The Middle Gorge is mostly flat water with occasional riffles.

The Lower Gorge continues past the Steel Bridge to Schoolhouse Branch, just above the mouth of Indian Creek in Powell County. From Schoolhouse Branch to the mouth of the Red on the Kentucky River, the stream is mostly flat water through rural farmland.

The Upper Red River Gorge is one of the more sought after whitewater runs in the state. A kayak or whitewater canoe is the best choice for the exhilarating trip through the boulder gardens and trackless stretches of forest the Upper Gorge has to offer. The river is a bit too narrow for rafting and far too water level dependent for a commercial rafting company. Small boats however are perfect for negotiating the winding and steep river corridor. However, many flat water canoes piloted by inexperienced boaters are lost or ruined every year. The Upper Red is not the place to learn whitewater paddling or a place to take the wooden canoe you inherited from your grandpa.

Experience in a whitewater environment and first aid training of some sort are highly recommended before attempting this or any remote whitewater run. Rescues in the Upper Gorge are long in coming and difficult to execute. The Upper Gorge is nine to ten miles of rough terrain surrounded by high cliffs and dense hardwood forests. This, combined with mostly winter and spring seasons, makes for a serious undertaking to say the least. Be certain of your abilities before tackling this spectacular run.

With that said, if you're up for it, the Upper Gorge is well worth the long shuttle and early season runs. From the beautiful river-wide Calaboose Falls, to the large boulder garden just before the Narrows, to the last stretch of whitewater through the house-sized boulders below Clifty Creek, you won't ever forget the beauty and grandeur contained within the Upper Red River Gorge.

Getting There

To reach the take-out (to set up a shuttle) from Lexington drive east on I-64 to the Mountain Parkway. Exit the Mountain Parkway at Pine Ridge (Exit 40). Turn right on Highway 15 and then right again at Route 715. Follow signs for Red River Gorge. After a few miles, you'll drop down into the valley. At the first Concrete Bridge (Wolfe/Menifee County Line) you'll find the take-out.

To reach the put-in, back track to the Mountain Parkway. Get back on the Parkway and take it to the first Campton exit (Exit 43). Follow the road into town and turn left at the first light. Campton has many turns, but just stay on the main road all the way through town (Route 191). After you leave Campton, look for Route 746 on the left. Take Route 746 past two bridges - the first is Stillwater Creek and the second is Spraddlin Bridge, the old put-in. Do not park at Spraddlin Bridge! The landowner is hostile towards trespassers.

Just past Spraddlin Bridge is a road on the right. Follow this road to the signs for Big Branch put-in. The USFS has developed a nice put-in area for boaters right on the river. Red River Outdoors in Slade offers a shuttle service for boaters. Call in advance to arrange a shuttle (606-663-9701).

When

The Red River is a free flowing river. There is no dam control, so we are at the mercy of mother nature. Typically the Upper Red is runable December through April in normal years. With adequate rain, the river can be run at any time of the year, though it takes a week or so of steady rain in the summer to get the water levels up. My best runs have been in December and January.

What To Bring

A topo map of the area is a good idea. First aid kit is a must. Reinforced kayaks with float bags and foot pegs are the recommended craft. Leave your trip itinerary with the Forest Service (606)663-2582 (Stanton Ranger District) and let someone at home know as well. Always travel with at least three boats and have someone experienced along on the river if at all possible. Don't forget your helmet.

Hazards On The River

The trip is long. Allow yourself plenty of time to make the trip. I've made it in as little as three hours and as long as eight! The Gorge is remote and rescue is difficult. Scout every rapid the first time down the river and don't be too good to scout on later runs as well. Trees can fall across rapids at any time and you may not see them coming. There are many undercut boulders that can pin a boat or boater. Hypothermia is a real danger, because this is mostly an early season run. Wear a wetsuit and be prepared to get cold. Just be attentive and portage anything you're not comfortable with.

Hiking The Upper Gorge

The Douglas Trail puts you within moderate bushwhacking distance of the Narrows of the Upper Gorge. From the take-out at the Concrete Bridge, hike upstream along a well defined trail (The Douglas Trail). After a couple of miles the trail ends at Clifty Creek. Cross the creek and stick to the riverbank. There is an old logging road you can pick up after a short distance. After 3/4 of a mile or so, you'll come to the end of the Narrows. Take great care near the water around the boulders and pools. If you make it this far, you're in for a great day of hiking.

The Upper Red River Gorge is an island of wilderness in the urbanized eastern U.S. If you want to forget about the rest of the world, you can get no farther away than deep in the shadows of the cliffs of this magnificent place.