CIWC Backpacking Red River Gorge, KY
Red River Gorge Geological Area
July 14-16, 2026
Co-Trip Leaders: Harry Morris and A'ame Joslin
Type of Trip: Backpacking
Trip Cost: $135
Wilderness Level: 2
Trip Difficulty: Moderate terrain - 1000 ft elevation gain. Up to 10 miles per day; 20 miles total
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25–35-pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25–35-pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults and High School Youth
Red River Gorge Backpacking trip, we will travel together from Indianapolis in a 12-person van, drive the 4 plus hour drive to Red River Gorge area, food on the road and on the trail is each person’s responsibility.
Bear canisters are required in this area. The club has a couple of canisters.
When we arrive at Martins Fork Trail Head departing east this is a two-night trip, the trail is a 20 mile loop the 1st day I plan on knocking out about 5 miles this area has many ups and downs sometimes 500ft to 1000 ft in elevation gain and loss. This area has lots of Natural Arche Bridges and the trail will take us past some of them. We will find a nice spot to camp and the next day hike about another 10 miles and spend the night. On the last day we will get back to the trailhead, returning to Indianapolis on July 16th with a Town Stop at the Famous Miguels Pizza in Slade.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a
CIWC Medical Form and Liability Release.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
