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Home > Trip Reports > Labor Day...Chiggers...and nosey tourists
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Moonshiner's Arch
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Cumberland Falls
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Eagle Falls
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Twin Arches North
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Twin Arches South
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Needle Arch
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Gobbler's Arch
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Hollow Rock Arch
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Hickory Knob Arch
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Koger Arch
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Labor Day...Chiggers...and nosey tourists
September 2007
Big South Fork , KY
posted by Flyingfishman
Sunday I decided to leave the air conditioned comfort of my home in Louisville and headed to the Cumberland/Big South Fork area for a little exploration. I started near Cumberland Falls and visited Moonshiner's Arch, Eagle Falls and of course Cumberland Falls.
I went to the lower observation deck to be treated to the spectacle of over 100 people on the observation deck waiting to take a picture of the falls. Looking down the hill towards the Cumberland I noticed a nice boulder that jutted out over the water. Setting my sights on said boulder I climbed over the black railing. As I did so an older overweight touristy type blurted in an authoritive voice "Is that Allowed?" To which I replied "There are no restricted signs". He came back with "Should you be doing that?" I looked at him and grinned and replied "yeah, but you probably shouldn't". I proceeded to rock jump down the hill with a slight rock climb up the boulder. I took some very nice unobstructed shots of the Falls. When I was through I noticed the 100 or so folks on the deck had their cameras and camcorders focused not on the falls… but me. I gave them a wave though I was tempted to "moon-bow" them. I was climbing the rail to applause in less than 60 seconds. These people need to get out more.
From there it was on to Big South Fork and the famed Twin Arches. They were quite large and impressive. From there it was Needle Arch on the Slave Falls trail. I exited the woods in the dark and made my way to my father's cabin overlooking Lake Cumberland near Somerset, KY.
Next day it was back to Big South Fork near the Yamacraw bridge area. I tried to get to Buffalo arch via the road to Great Meadows campground. I walked an old Jeep road for about 2 miles to only to find out it was the wrong path. I got back to my car and as I headed towards Hemlock Grove picnic area I saw the trail I had missed before. I decided to forego it till another trip. I got to Hemlock Grove and found a good place to ford Rock Creek. The Sheltowee trace on the other side was about chest high with growth. I found the start of Gobbler's Arch trail. It was 4 miles roundtrip to the arch. As I got back to Hemlock Grove a large family was enjoying a Labor Day Picnic. I stopped to talk to them and …you guessed it I was offered food and drink. Now this may shock you but I politely turned them down. How could I take them up on that then hop in my car and drive down the road?
From there under the crunch of time I visited Hollow Rock, Hickory Knob and Koger arches. I stopped on HWY 27 for gas and a quarter car wash. I'll get some pics up on my website sometime this week. I used my digital camera but also shot some print film that I will have to have processed as well as get a CD. Today I am dealing with about 100 chigger bites. Any suggestions for relief will be reviewed by my medical staff and utilized in an act of desperation.
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