Sunset at Buzzards Roost North - Now Mostly a Bushwhack
Map of Buzzards Roost North Out and Back
Overview. This is a terrific sunset overlook at this time of year, but since the fire a few years back, the trail has been increasingly obstructed by burnt deadfall and now, young, THICK pine regrowth. While it was a pain in the ass to reach, it was the perfect spot for sunset this time of year. If you like a solitary sunset and don’t mind stomping through crunchy deadfall and swimming through young pine, this is your kind of place.
Route Type | Out and Back
Total Distance | 0.63 miles
Elevation Gain | 115 feet
Physical Demand | Moderate to Strenuous (bushwhacking)
Navigational Skill | Intermediate
GPS Waypoints
Unmarked Trailhead | 37.816219, -83.585164
First Fork | 37.816539, -83.585719
Buzzards Roost North | 37.820211, -83.584692
Red River Gorge Area Map
Parking. Ample parking is available at the Sky Bridge Picnic Area Parking Lot. Pit toilets, trash receptacles, and picnic tables are available here.
Trail Navigation. This is an unmarked, mostly unmaintained trail coming off the back of the parking lot between the handicapped space and pit toilets. Begin by walking the path and navigating through some big downed trees - a user path has already formed here. Continue to the fork and take a right. Continue through more deadfall before nearing the cliffline. Keep going on the more narrow, less used path through ever more deadfall as you descend this section of the ridge. The user path eventually becomes completely obstructed by deadfall and later by young pines that have now reached an average of 4 to 7 feet in height. It is a bushwhack from here and the best advice I can give is to stick to areas without new pines until eventually reaching the overlook area.
HIKER NOTE - Get Your Kindling Here. There is no shortage of kindling laying all over this trail. If you’re visiting the area, stop here to carry out some deadfall from around the trail. This will help clean up the trail, reduce fuel for the next forest fire, and make you look like a fire starting GENIUS at camp. Bring a couple reusable grocery bags and fill ‘em up - you’ll be all set for kindling for the weekend.
HIKER NOTE - Forest Service/Volunteer Clean-up. I would wager a large sum that the picnic area and some of the trail will be cleaned up sometime this year - either by Forest Service or a volunteer crew. This is one of several blow down areas that is in need of some heavy lifting, but even now, it’s accessible and navigable with some extra sweat and wayfinding skill.
HIKER NOTE - Lost to the Trees. This overlook is a prime candidate to be lost to the trees sooner than later. There are other spots at the edge of the cliffline that will remain unobstructed, but they sit lower down and don’t have quite as nice of a view. So, if you’re out this way, check this spot out before all these pines grow up.
RULE REMINDER - Day Use ONLY. No camping is permitted here - and that’s a good thing. I found some campfire remnants here which is a remarkably moronic thing. This area, perhaps more than any other in Daniel Boone National Forest, is a tinder box. No fires, no camping.
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
Trailhead for Buzzards Roost Overlooks
Take the Right Fork to Buzzards Roost Central and North
Arrival View at Buzzards Roost North
Sunset Over the Burn Recovery Zone
Through the Burn