Name: Auxier - Courthouse Loop
Rating: 4.8

Conditions

Unknown

History

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“A quintessential Red River Gorge running experience.”

— Chris Chaney

GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

The Auxier - Courthouse Loop has been a natural attractor for runners for years. The ridge has magnificent views and challenging terrain and it naturally makes sense to return via the different and interesting Courthouse Rock Trail.

There is a lot of foot traffic along the ridge. The lower trail is starkly different and gets far less. It is a bit more remote and if you get into trouble it's unlikely someone will come across you quickly on Courthouse Rock Trail #202.

Features: Birding — Fall Colors — Views — Wildflowers — Wildlife

Dogs: Off-leash

Need to Know

There are a series of manmade steps at the end of the ridge. If you do this loop clockwise you'll have a grunt climb. Clockwise there is a quasi-scramble to gain the ridge.

Runner Notes

Lots of roots and eroded sections of trail. This is also an exposed ridge for much of the run and can be dangerous in storms. The Courthouse Rock Trail is below cliff line and gets a fraction of the traffic that the upper section gets and can feel remote.

Description

This run is quintessential Red River Gorge. The ridge is rolling and tough at speed. The views are nothing less than amazing. You pass Haystack Rock, Courthouse Rock and overlooks along the way.

The lower section of the loop along Courthouse Rock Trail #202 is distinctly different from the ridgetop portion (Auxier Ridge Trail #204) and feels remote and isolated.

A variation of this run is to traverse across Auxier Branch on the Auxier Branch Trail and gain Tunnel Ridge Road to return to the trailhead. You can also detour to Double Arch on this variation.

Flora & Fauna

You will likely see birds, maybe snakes, and possibly squirrels. Deer and bear live in the area as well as bobcats, but they are rare and you have to be darn lucky to see them. This is the Red River Gorge so flora is diverse and amazing.

Contacts

Local Club: Red River Gorge Trail Crew

Land Manager: USFS - Daniel Boone National Forest Office

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.8 from 26 votes

#1

in Cumberland Ranger District

#93

Overall

4.8 from 26 votes

5 Star		77%
4 Star		23%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#1

in Cumberland Ranger Dist…

#1

in Kentucky

#93

Overall

159 Views Last Month

3,385 Since Jul 5, 2015

Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View of Courthouse Rock from Auxier Ridge near…

Red River Gorge

Courthouse Rock looms over the trail below.

The view from Haystack Rock is pretty exceptional.

Fall colors in the gorge.

Courthouse Rock Trail

Some sweet singletrack on the way up.

During the winter, Double Arch can be seen thro…

Looking down on the trail

Sandy Singletrack on top of Auxier Ridge

Steep stairs

Length 4.8 Miles 7.7 Kilometers 89% Runnable	Elevation 729' 222 m Ascent -732' -223 m Descent
6% Avg Grade (3°) 42% Max Grade (23°)	1,297' 395 m High 892' 272 m Low

Auxier - Courthouse Loop

Length

4.8 Miles 7.7 Kilometers

89%

Elevation

729' 222 m

-732' -223 m

6%

42%

1,297' 395 m

892' 272 m

Conditions

“A quintessential Red River Gorge running experience.”

Overview

Need to Know

Runner Notes

Description

Flora & Fauna

Contacts

You & this Featured Run

Rate Quality

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Trail Ratings

#1

#93

#1

#1

#93

Photos

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