Lullaby Arches Out and Back Bushwhack

Map of Lullaby Arches Out and Back Bushwhack, Red River Gorge

Elevation Profile of Lullaby Arches Out and Back Bushwhack, Red River Gorge

Overview. These arches had eluded me on a previous visit using a steeper and much more dangerous approach angle from the west. Coming in from the east was certainly safer, but the final climb to the arches remains steep and slick. Take care with your steps if you elect to attempt this hike and be sure to follow Leave No Trace by spreading out and not creating a trail - especially immediately off Pinch ‘em Tight Trail.

And, full disclosure - while I love arches and find them all to be worthy destinations, most hikers will not enjoy this one - there are many, many prettier arches requiring a small fraction of the effort this one demands.

Route Type | Out and Back
Total Distance | 2.65 miles
Elevation Gain | 533 feet
Overall Difficulty | Moderate with Strenuous Class 2/3 Scrambling
the final section to the arches has no trail, steep, loose soil, and can be dangerous for inexperienced off trail hikers

GPS Waypoints
Gray’s Arch Trailhead | 37.808250, -83.657575
Pinch ‘em Tight Trailhead | 37.807350, -83.656056
Pinch ‘em Tight/Rush Ridge Trail Junction | 37.807919, -83.654056
Turn to Lullaby Arches | 37.808325, -83.643497
Big Downed Tree | 37.807458, -83.644944
Up the Drainage | 37.806381, -83.645294
Lullaby Arches | 37.806222, -83.645517

Parking. Ample parking is available at Gray’s Arch Recreation Area, across the street at Archaic, or back toward KY-15 at the Pinch ‘em Tight Parking Lot. This area routinely fills up on nice weather weekends, so arrive early or late to get a parking spot and avoid a hefty parking ticket.

Trail Navigation. The nuts and bolts are pretty simple, but route finding once you’re off trail can be challenging. From the Gray’s Arch Recreation Area parking lot, turn left onto Tunnel Ridge Road and reach the Pinch ‘em Tight trailhead on the left (northeast). Continue right at the fork with Rush Ridge Trail and walk to the 4th finger of the ridge. Pass a clearly defined path on your left leading to a small rock shelter beneath the trail. Fix your eyes right and find the least difficult place to drop down into the gorge below. The objectives here are to avoid overly steep soil, overly thick vegetation, and mini-cliffs. Switchback on your bushwhack until reaching the floor of the drainage with several old trees laying across the beginnings of a stream. From here, cross the drainage and keep your eyes to the right (west) and look for a break in the rhododendron uphill. This is the drainage for Lullaby Arches. Ascend on approach left of the drainage for the easiest path that is still challenging. Basket-less poles stabbed deep into the organic soil can be helpful to create footholds to sidestep uphill instead of grabbing vegetation. Reach the arches and take your time. The larger of the two is a shelf arch embedded in the main wall. A pillar window is directly behind and the smaller arch is above and on approach left. Circling around the rock shelter, there are other small windows. Have your fill here and try to retrace your steps to return to the main trail and the parking lot.

HIKER NOTE - Hike During Dry Conditions. Due to the steep, loose, organic soil on the final stretch to the arches, it’s far, far better to hike this after a dry stretch of weather. The last hundred yards up the drainage to the arches is particularly steep and slick.

HIKER NOTE - No Trail/Leave No Trace. There is no trail to the arches from this approach vector. To keep it that way, make your turn off Pinch ‘em Tight downhill using Leave No Trace practices of spreading out groups and NOT hiking single file. You can turn anywhere along about a 300’ stretch leading up to the waypoint listed. Descend using the safest route you can find and meet your group at the Big Downed Tree.

CAUTION - Direct Approach from the West. The more direct approach using the finger of the ridge to the West proved to be steeper, laced with thicker rhododendron they love steep, shady faces, and more cliffs - especially right at the arches. While you can rappel into the arches from above, hiking from this approach is far more difficult than the route described above from the east.

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

Exiting Gray's Arch Recreation Area, Red River Gorge

Pinch 'em Tight Trailhead, Red River Gorge

Keep Right at Junction with Rush Ridge Trail, Red River Gorge

Downed Tree Waypoint, Red River Gorge

Steep Terrain and Rhododendron Galore, Red River Gorge

Approach View of Lullaby Arch, Red River Gorge

Split Pillar Window at Lullaby Arch Wall, Red River Gorge

Pillar Window Behind Lullaby Arch, Red River Gorge

Lullaby Arch 1 (fore) and 2 (back), Red River Gorge

Lullaby Arch 2, Red River Gorge

Top of the Ridge on the Way Out, Red River Gorge