Copperas Falls and Sandy Arch Out and Back

Mar 19

Elevation Profile of Copperas Falls and Sandy Arch Out and Back, Red River Gorge

Overview. This is about as perfect a day as you can have at Copperas Falls - great flow, comfy temps, and loads of sunshine! With plenty of rain in recent days, I also stopped up at Sandy Arch to catch a little water spilling out there too.

The spur to the arch had dried out considerably thanks to abundant sunshine, sandy soil, southerly facing orientation, and bare canopy - otherwise, this would’ve been a big El Paso for the day. But as it was, a nice climb and always gorgeous scene.

Route Type | Out and Back
Total Distance | 3.5 miles
Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Strenuous on Sandy Arch Spur
these trails are unmarked and unmaintained; the path to Copperas Falls is easily navigated, but the spur to Sandy Arch is easy to miss and a strenuous, delicate endeavor

GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 37.821116, -83.575714
Copperas Falls | 37.841064, -83.571540
Sandy Arch | 37.839580, -83.571910
GPX File
KML File

Parking. A number of pull-off parking spots are available at the trailhead with additional parking a short walk away at Osborne Bend Trailhead. This is a busy area on weekends from Spring through Fall, so it’s best to visit Sunday afternoon through Friday morning or on rainy weekend days (skip Sandy Arch if it’s wet).

Trail navigation. This is pretty easy to navigate, as it’s a simple creekside walk up Copperas. Follow the trail east of the creek’s drainage from the trailhead before eventually zig-zagging much of the final three-quarters of a mile to the falls. When you get close to the arch, you’ll depart the creek and pass between a pair of boulders with cut trees. Follow your ears to Copperas Falls before turning back. If you opt to hike Sandy Arch (see note below), be sure to have the GPS waypoint saved before you hit the trail. This is the first well-defined path on your left (east) as you return and not far from the falls, but is super easy to miss. It’ll start as a well trod path and then turn into a very narrow, steep climb on looser soil. If you don’t have good trail shoes/boots, don’t bother - you’ll do more damage to the trail and increase your risk of one of those twisting, spinning falls until your body bounces off enough rhododendron to maybe bring you to a stop. Rescue from this spur would be particularly problematic, so make sure you have the right gear and skills before taking it on.

GEAR TIP - Waterproof Socks. Except during dry stretches, you’ll likely get your feet wet on this hike. On this day, the lower portion of the creek was flowing and was a good sign of things to come. After @waterfall_hillbilly (a.k.a. Brian Solomon) recommended SealSkinz, I’ve been waterfalling in them ever since. I have the knee high variety and stayed dry while crisscrossing Copperas Creek too many times to count.

CAUTION, LEAVE NO TRACE - Sandy Arch Spur. This is a strenuous climb on partly hard packed trail and partly looser soils just below the arch. It is best to avoid hiking this when wet conditions exist for two reasons - (1) it’s a riskier proposition when wet, and (2) trail erosion is multiplied when steep ground is saturated. Though it is possible to circle around to the opposite side of the arch, it is STRONGLY discouraged. Tread carefully, and if using vegetation as handholds, use them lightly. Putting too much weight on rhododendron, mountain laurel, or small trees damages them and increases the risk of a major fall when they give way. Soils on steeps are notoriously unstable and those rhodo are critical to keeping the soil in place.

CAUTION - Poisonous Snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can be found in the area. Should you encounter one, stop and slowly back away. Always give venomous snakes a wide berth. Know Before You Go => University of Kentucky Venomous Snake Guide

CAUTION - Black Bears. Ursus Americanus - a.k.a. the American black bear is growing in population throughout much of Kentucky. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips