Fall Colors at Eagle Point Buttress + Moonshiners Arch Out and Back

Map of Eagle Point Buttress and Moonshiners Arch Out and Back

Overview. This short hike stops at Moonshiners Arch before following the river to the turn that goes steeply uphill on loose soil and rock - gaining 374 vertical feet across a quarter-mile of trail (roughly 28% average grade). This is the shortest, but most physically demanding route to reach the point. However, spectacular southerly views above a sharp bend in the river await those who make the climb.

Total Distance | 2.71 miles
Elevation Gain | 873 feet
Physical Demand | Strenuous
Navigational Challenge | Intermediate
this route uses unmarked and unmaintained trails; hikers frequently get lost attempting this hike

GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 37.820294, -83.574561
High Route Split to Moonshiners Arch | 37.821133, -83.573189
Moonshiners Arch | 37.821206, -83.571672
Turn Uphill | 37.824986, -83.562175
Top Out T-Intersection | 37.826047, -83.560967
Eagle Point Buttress Overlook | 37.826306, -83.562233
Red River Gorge Area Map

Parking. Limited parking is available at the Osborne Bend East Trailhead and along the road at Copperas Creek. Parking routinely fills up on busy weekends and holidays. Pit toilets and trash bins are available at the trailhead. Be sure to NEVER park in front of the emergency vehicles only sign because this is a popular spot for search and rescue operations.

Trail Navigation. On its face, this looks like a simple enough hike, but on trail, it can be a tough follow. Be sure to carry an offline map - paper or digital - and pay close attention to where you turn uphill. Some routes go to campsites, others go to climbing crags, and a few of them eventually top out in the right place. Here’s the nav in simplest form:

• Start at the Osborne Bend East Trailhead and walk past the infokiosk uphill on the doubletrack trail

• Continue uphill until reaching a fork, take the right fork downhill to the top of Moonshiners Arch

• Walk across the open patch and keep your eyes out for the chimney/skylight of Moonshiners Arch - take care not to fall in

• Circle around counterclockwise to descend into the arch

• Take in the scene and drop down out of the arch - taking the left fork down toward the river

• Follow the river trail across some washouts and alternating high/low paths

• Continue along the rock face and back into the forest - be careful on the rock, as there is an incredibly slick one

• Stay on the main trail and pass through some campsites until bending around the river

• Look for a very large boulder that is on the far side of the base of a drainage - take the turn uphill before reaching the drainage channel

• Hike sharply uphill with diverging paths - left goes to the base of the wet weather waterfall, right goes to the overlook.

• Continue uphill and see the ‘Buttress’ come into view on your left side as you hike alongside the cliff walls.

• Reach the top of the climb at a T-intersection and turn left

• Follow the paths along the cliff line until eventually reaching the point

• Take in the views and retrace your steps downhill

• When you reach the turn back to Moonshiners, you can exactly retrace your steps or keep moving along the river - LaFonda insisted that we stick to the low route that includes scrambling through some deadfall and a pretty damn slick boulder, BUT is save a little vertical gain

RULE REMINDER - All Caves are CLOSED. Caves are off limits throughout Daniel Boone National Forest. This is to reduce the spread of a fungus that causes the deadly white nose syndrome in bats. Some bat populations have declined by more than 90% in our region just in the last few decades.

HIKER NOTE - Easier Alternate. Hiking this loop clockwise spreads out the vertical gain over more miles - making for an easier ascent. The descent - though less taxing on your heart rate - is steep, uneven, and slick with loose rocks.

HIKER NOTE - Sunrise/Sunset at Eagle Point. This is a nice spot for sunrises and sunsets, BUT it has southerly views - meaning the sun will rise and set behind you nearer the Summer solstice. Ideal time of year is on the Winter side of the equinoxes - likely late January to early February or late October into November.

CAUTION - Spaghetti Trails. There are many trails that intersect this route. These can be misleading and move you well off course - possibly resulting in a search and rescue op. Be sure to download the .gpx file to your map app and follow it closely on your hike. ALWAYS record your hike using a GPS tracking app so you can backtrack when needed.

CAUTION - Extra Time, Headlamp. Many who call 911 get caught out after dark because they don’t allow enough time for the hike. This hike takes longer than most in Red River Gorge because it requires more wayfinding, circumnavigating downed trees, and dealing with a very steep slope. Allow 1.5 to 2x your normal hiking time for this distance. If heading out within four or five hours of sunset, bring a headlamp. With batteries. That are fully charged.

CAUTION - Avoid When Wet. The section below the point is very steep dirt that turns to slick mud when wet. Avoid this hike when wet or make it a long out and back using Osborne Bend Trail.

CAUTION - Deadly Drops. Long falls from high places are the #1 non-health related cause of death for hikers in Kentucky. Keep your distance from the edges of cliffs to avoid a deadly fall. Young children should be kept close.

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

Osborne Bend East Trailhead

Take the Right Fork Down to Moonshiners Arch

Looking Down the Skylight in Moonshiners Arch

View Inside Moonshiners Arch

View Toward the River Inside Moonshiners Arch

Looking through the Skylight at Moonshiners Arch

Big Bolder PAST the Turn Up to Eagle Point Buttress

Base of the Cliff Near Eagle Point Buttress

Hang a Left When You Top Out at the T-intersection 

First View After Topping Out

View from Eagle Point Buttress

Two Potential Overlooks for My Winter Exploring List

Fall Colors in Full Effect on This Maple

Beautiful Riverside Scene