We'll be hiking off trail to the hidden Red Byrd Arch in Red River Gorge. This trip will be harder in difficulty level and will be up to 8-10 miles long.

We'll head down Friday after work and hike in a short distance up a very steep off-trail route to Castle Arch, camping on top.  Saturday we'll set out off trail to get to Red Byrd Arch.  The hike out on Sunday will be along the un-official but very well established Douglas Trail.

Including the initial one we will encounter almost immediately on exiting the vehicles at the trailhead, there will be 3 significant stream crossings-the water may be shallow enough to rock-hop across, but to be on the safe side, bring some water shoes, and definitely extra socks.

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USKY1339 

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=37%C2%B048.915%27N++83%C2%B033.033%27W&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=%2B37%C2%B0+48%27+54.90%22,+-83%C2%B0+33%27+1.98%22&gl=us&ei=PQD7SoHOGdXbnAfEioX2DA&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA&ll=37.811615,-83.550982&spn=0.029429,0.027595&t=p&z=15

http://www.kywilderness.com/forum/index.php?topic=4141.0

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis/uv?site_no=03283500

Pictures and trip report

http://toredrivergorge.com/top-10-day-hikes/red-byrd-arch-area/castle-arch/

River Route

Ridge Route