Monday, April 4^th, 2005 I arrived at the trail head at Swift Camp Creek trail. I parked my car and took an old road bicycle that had a set of knobby tires on it to the Rock Creek Bridge trail head. The tires were installed a few years back in a foolhardy attempt to use a road bike in a cyclocross race. They actually rubbed the brake mounts. After 7 miles of this I parked the bike in the woods and locked it up near the trail head. I then proceeded down to Swift Camp Creek trail for a little adventure.  Swift Camp Creek trail is notorious for being the most challenging in the Red River Gorge area. All total, on and off trail exploration, the hike took 5 hours. I probably sat down for 5 minutes the whole trip.

Creation Falls

Old Log Splash Dam used to move timber down the creek

Waterfall before side trail to Turtle Back Arch

Turtle Back Arch

Timmon’s Arch from swift Camp Creek Trail

Side note: I came upon some folks who had spent the night in the woods but had not planned to. They made a common mistake. They thought Swift Camp Creek trail looped. They had no map or water.  Let this serve as a warning. Do not go near Swift Camp Creek unless you possess the skills to handle it. Make sure you have a topo map and know how to use it. Take plenty of water and make sure you have the means to procure more if needed. Never, ever travel the trail in the dark. People die in the Gorge area every year. These folks were lucky to be alive.