Red River Gorge Backpacking loop: Angel Windows, Hanson's Point, Gray's Arch Part 1

1,344 views · Published 3 October 2016 · 5:01 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Tim Watson · 2016 · Entertainment

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Here we are at Red River Gorge! Join me as we have 3 nights, 2 days of hiking and hammock camping in Kentucky. We stayed exclusively in the Daniel Boone national forest geological area.

The whole area is packed with natural arches and is in Eastern Kentucky just east of Lexington. We start this adventure by hammock camping at one of the primitive camp sites just off of Chimney Top Road. The first morning we spent exploring the Chimney Top rock overlook. There really are some impressive views for the gorge. It was just beautiful as the fog rolled through in the early morning. It was a beautiful day to get out and hike around the gorge. Makes me love backpacking more and more.

Stick with us in this series as later I get a chance to explore Gray's Arch, Hanson's Point as well as Angel Windows and Princess Arch. This was a phenomenal trip and I had fun making this series.

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Day 1
Primitive camped off of chimney top road (10) where we spent the first night
Explored Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch
Drove down to the intersection of the Rough Trail (221) and 10
Headed East on the Rough Trail (221) to Angel Windows
Backtracked to the Intersection of the Rough Trail (221) and 10
Took the Rough Trail (221) to Hanson's Point (unofficial trail)
Spent the first night at Hanson's Point campsite 3

Day 2
Continued heading West on Rough Trail (221)
Reached Gray's Arch and explored
Took the stairs up to the Gray's Arch trailhead (Trail 205)
Took service road (gravel) to the Pinch-em-tight (223) trailhead
The Pinch-em-tight (223) trail overlaps with the Sheltowee Trace (100) for a ways.
We then took the Rough trail (221) back to the car
Primitive camped off chimney top road (10) again

My Notable Gear you'll see
Warbonnet Big Mamajamba
Dream Hammock Darien Robic 1.0
Enlightened Equipment Enigma top quilt
Enlightened Equipment revolt underquilt
Osprey Exos 38

Josh's notable gear
Dream Hammock Darien 1.6 ripstop
OES cat cut tarp
Snugpak blanket