ABOUT THE PARK: Daniel Boone National Forest - USDA
Auxier Area Trails - USDA
DIRECTIONS: GPS Coordinates 37.820081, -83.68079
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| The crusade inward on Tunnel Road is really pretty. Parking at at the really cease of Tunnel Road. |
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| Parking at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead - already packed at 9AM, in all likelihood generally overnight camper amongst other hikers arriving afterwards inward the day. |
TRAIL MAP: Auxier Area Trails - USDA
HIKE DISTANCE: 6.85 miles
THE HIKE:
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| We started on the Double Arch Trail to the left as well as returned on the Auxier Ridge Trail on the right. |
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| The trail starts out equally a footpath that connects to ... |
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| ... a gravel path. All trails are blazed amongst white diamonds as well as they are oft few as well as far betwixt but paths are well-defined then they are slow to follow. |
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| A piffling lingering fog upwardly ahead. |
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| The Double Arch Trail turns correct hither but nosotros went left ... |
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| ... over the log to the left ... |
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| ... on a curt side path to or then views. |
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| This was only a preview of what was to come. |
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| Back to the fork to the Double Arch Trail.... |
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| ... downward a long flying of steps. |
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| At the intersection amongst the Auxier Branch Trail, left on the Double Arch Trail. |
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| Pileated Woodpecker |
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| As nosotros arrived at the Double Arches ... |
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| ... I was alone able to larn these shots when ... |
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| ... people amongst FIVE off leash dogs came charging upwardly behind us as well as Brodie freaked. I asked them to leash their dogs as well as they only stood as well as stared at me similar I was requesting something that was over the hap unreasonable. I dragged Brodie away as well as left. So much for enjoying a view. |
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| We retraced dorsum to the intersection as well as turned left on the Auxier Branch Trail. |
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| An slow stone hop over Auxier Branch. |
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| At the intersection, left towards Courthouse Rock. This is at 1 time the Auxier Ridge Trail but the sign does non nation that. |
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| A piffling flake of scrambling ... |
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| ... as well as Courthouse Rock is to the left. |
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| Courthouse Rock |
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| Heading to the correct are steps upwardly to the ridge. I was worried nearly the grates but Brodie went correct up, no problem. |
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| These steps proceed going ... |
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| ... as well as going. |
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| A ameliorate stance of Courthouse Rock from the steps. |
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| Now on the ridge. I had heard that this would non endure proficient for those amongst a fearfulness of heights (such equally me) but I had asked ii women coming downward as well as they said it was cracking at all. They were right, I was fine amongst it. There was plenty vegetation along the sides as well as opened upwardly areas were broad plenty for my knees non to foremost knocking. Had I non been able to create it, I would bring retraced to the Auxier Branch Trail as well as gone that way. |
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| The weather condition was alternating betwixt sprinkles as well as sunshine, sometimes both at the same time. |
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| At the intersection, the Courthouse Rock Trail comes inward from the right, proceed left on the Auxier Ridge Trail. |
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| Back at the parking lot. |
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| Another v hours of driving inward 45 mph current of air gusts (thank goodness nosotros made it off the ridge earlier that started) to St. Louis, Missouri to see my mom. |
