[This is part two of our Kentucky Adventure. If you missed part one, start here.]
Our morning started with a light fog woven between the tall trees around Natural Bridge State Park. Just a short drive from the lodge, we met up with Dan Beck and Amy Tackett from Red River Outdoors who would be literally showing us the ropes for some climbing and rappelling. We are in Red Rock Gorge, known for its world-class climbing opportunities.
Matt and Amy Tackett fell in love with this part of the Red River Gorge and made a business of it many years ago. They now offer rope skills training, guided rock climbing and rappelling, paintball adventures, as well as canoe and kayak rentals. If that’s more excitement than the whole family can handle, they offer comfortable cabin rentals where the more sedentary can chill-out in the natural beauty found here in central Kentucky.
We were headed for Torrent Falls, where some of the best geology has been calling climbers of all skill levels for over 25 years. The area we were going is now privately owned and a limited number of climbers are allowed in per day. Registration is free, but must be done after 6 a.m. the day you wish to climb. If you are lucky enough to be one of the first few that day, you’ll receive a special code to unlock the gates leading to the parking area. The other alternative is to rent a cabin from Red River Outdoors and you’ll have access every day during your rental.
Torrent Falls in Red River Gorge
We left the van behind and started hiking through the gorge to our rappelling area. After turning a high rock corner, we stared into an enormous stone cove with a single slender waterfall cascading down some 150+ feet in the center. Hugging the rock walls, the path led us behind the falls and further back into the gorge. Our final ascent was up some rather large rocks where luckily there were just enough tree trunks and roots to grab onto, making it strenuous but not that difficult to reach the top.
Now, 120 feet above the gorge floor, we stepped into our rappelling harnesses and got last minute instructions from Matt. I still think his admonition that “once you go over that edge, I’m not pulling you back up” made us all reach down for that last ounce of courage and we all did it.
Rappelling down 120 feet
Stepping over the edge was a giant leap of faith, but “leaning your butt out as far as you can” was even worse. What seemed like the hardest thing to do was actually what gives you all your stability, and in less than four steps down the cliff, I found it extremely stable and easy to negotiate.
Within a few more steps, I was pushing myself free of the cliff and letting the rope slide me quickly down the rock face. Literally bounding out from the rock, the descent was quite fun. Finally, about 50 feet above the ground, the rock cliff was undercut and you found yourself hanging free with nothing to plant your feet on until you reached the ground. It was here that you could pause, appreciate the view for a few moments and then release the tension on the rope, bringing you back to terra firma.
After everyone had come down, we had just enough time for some of the group to try sport climbing. In sport climbing, anchors have been previously set in the rocks for protection, and Matt belayed at the bottom, while giving hints on the best routes up the rock face. Our group showed average to great success going both up and down the cliffs of Torrent Falls.
Miguel's Pizza Restaurant & Rockclimbing Shop
After working up a great thirst and bit of hunger, we were off to Miguel’s – the climber’s favorite pizza place in the valley. Opened by Miguel and Susan Ventura in 1984 as an ice cream shop, they’ve expanded their operation to a full-featured pizza shop and rockclimbing shop. Just across the street from the entrance to Natural Bridge State Park, they serve a diverse clientele. Rockclimbers can stop for more gear, load up on great homemade food and even rent a room ($35/night for up to four people) or camping site ($2/night). Overnight accommodations are for climbers only. Everyone else – head for the lodge across the street. As you enter, pay attention to the carved wooden doors – Miguel carved those and many other things himself.
With an incredible list of pizza toppings, there’s no one around that can’t find something they like. Be sure to ask Susan for the most popular ingredients of the day, as many are raised right here on the property. With over 40 choices of toppings, you’d be smart to go with one of their tried and true favorites. The Hawaiian pizza and the sweet potato pizzas were both hits with our group. Miguels is open seasonally, so get there from March 1 until November 30.
Sweet potato pizza at Miguels Pizza in Red Rock Gorge
Join me in the next article where we brave the white water rapids and go searching for a moonbow as we continue our Kentucky Adventure. It’s a great summer escape. For more adventure opportunities in Kentucky, see Kentucky’s special Adventure Tourism Website.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks