Daniel Boone National Forest: Buffalo Canyon Trail (Blog Hike #146)

Trail: Buffalo Canyon Trail (Trail #508)

Hike Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Arch Scenic Area

Geographic Location: north of Whitley City, KY (36.84094, -84.51239)

Length: 6 miles

Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: November 2002, June 2004

Overview: A memorable hike exploring the ravines around Natural Arch.

Trail Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea?recid=39726
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=878617
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: In southern Kentucky, take US 27 to SR 927, which is located 9 miles north of Whitley City or 20 miles south of Somerset.  Go west on SR 927.  Take SR 927 west 1.7 miles to the signed entrance to the Natural Arch Scenic Area on your right.  Turn right and park in the first parking lot.  There is a small fee for parking at this scenic area.

The hike: Natural Arch easily ranks as the largest, most visible arch in southern Kentucky.  In fact, one need not be a hiker to view the arch.  A paved overlook located adjacent to the parking area gives the postcard view of the arch from 2000 feet away as-the-crow-flies.  Indeed, this view is especially nice in early November, as colorful autumn leaves of maples, oaks, and beeches mix in with the green needles of the conifers to give the arch the perfect, natural picture frame.

            However, the rewards are even greater for those willing to put forth a little more effort.  For a 1-mile walk, one can get a view from beneath the arch and closely examine the curves and lines of the arch’s construction.  For a 3-mile round-trip, one can add a view of Chimney Arch, which is not visible from the parking area.  The 6 mile hike described here gives all of these features and some nice creekside scenery in the ravines surrounding the arch.

Parking lot view of Natural Arch in the fall

            Look for the information board in the right rear corner of the parking area.  The trail, marked with fluorescent-red plastic diamonds, begins here as a paved path, heading downhill.  In 0.1 miles, the trail comes to a pair of overlooks.  The one on the left gives another view of the arch similar to the view obtained from the overlook adjacent to the parking area.  The overlook on the right gives a stunning view of Spruce Hollow, the ravine located east of the arch.
            From the overlooks, the trail descends between two boulders and begins to descend a series of stone steps to arrive at a saddle connecting the arch to the picnic area.  At 0.4 miles, a signed trail junction tells you that Chimney Arch and Great Gulf are located 1 and 2 miles, respectively, to the left along trail #508.  This will be your return route. 

            Continue straight, and 0.1 uphill miles and a right turn later, arrive at the base of the arch.  You are on bare rock here, so watch your footing.  The graceful arch stands 60 feet wide and 100 feet across.  The smooth faces of the arch tell you that the arch formed over a period of many years by weathering and erosion.  Some hardy evergreens grow on top of the arch, but there is no maintained trail to allow you to ascend the arch.  Stay on the maintained trails and admire the arch from below.

East side of Natural Arch

            The trail used to pass under the arch but was rerouted in 2003 due to erosion problems.  So you must now retrace your steps back to the base of the hill and turn sharply to the right, beginning a trip around the west side of the arch.  This trail is also part of the Natural Arch Trail (Trail #510), which is marked with white blazes.  The trail maintains a level elevation as sheer rock walls head uphill to the right and the ravine plunges downhill to the left.  Poison ivy grows abundantly at the base of the arch and trail maintenance is not the best, so be careful where you step or, better yet, wear pants.

View north from Natural Arch in the spring

            1 mile from the parking area, the Buffalo Canyon Trail departs the Natural Arch Trail at a sharp angle to the left, heading downhill toward Spruce Creek.  The young second growth forest is dominated by maple and beech trees, and as you get closer to Spruce Creek, the understory of rhododendron becomes denser.  The descent toward Spruce Creek is moderate at first, but 1.75 miles from the start the trail intersects an old logging road and descends more steeply to reach Spruce Creek, 260 feet in elevation below the arch.

            Heading downstream, the trail levels out and passes through pockets of large hemlock trees.  At 2 miles, cross Spruce Creek for the only time, but without the aid of a bridge.  Under normal water tables, the creek is only a few inches deep, but be prepared for wet feet if you are not wearing proper footgear.  2.6 miles into the hike, the trail intersects gravel Copper Creek Rd. where Spruce Creek flows into Copper Creek.  Follow the blazes as the trail turns left to follow the road.  The trail passes along some private property here, so respect the rights of property owners and obey all “no trespassing” signs.

            After walking 1 mile along the gravel road, come to a low-water ford.  Just past this ford, the trail reenters the woods on the left, following a two-track dirt road.  At 883 feet in elevation, this is the lowest point on the hike.  The trail heads gently uphill toward an area called “the Gulf” because so many streams feed into it.  Numerous wet spots are encountered along this stretch, but most can be easily avoided. 

Stream in Great Gulf

            Pass a couple of possible campsites as you head upstream.  Two sizable streams, each only a few inches deep, must be crossed before arriving at Great Gulf, which is reached 4.1 miles into the hike.  At a wide area along the stream, the white-blazed Gulf Bottom Trail (Trail #509) exits to the right and ascends steeply using metal ladders to SR 927.  Our hike curves left here and begins a more moderate ascent out of Great Gulf, now as a one-track dirt trail.  Downfalls, many caused by the Southern Pine Beetle, make for common obstacles throughout the trail, but are especially noticeable on this portion.

            Over the next mile, the trail ascends 180 feet to arrive beside Chimney Arch.  Chimney Arch is very impressive in terms of size but not nearly as graceful as Natural Arch.  The arch appears to have formed when the rear of a rock shelter collapsed, leaving just the overhang to stand.  The gap between the arch and the hillside appears as a small hole, hence the name Chimney Arch.  Notice the large, nearly vertical left wall of the arch, created by a pre-existing crack in the rock.  Some boulders at the base of the arch make for good resting spots after the long climb up to this point.

Chimney Arch

            Past Chimney Arch, the trail becomes narrower as it clings to the south wall of a steep ravine.  There are no major elevation changes, but the trail does climb and drop somewhat steeply through the upper reaches of three ravines.  At times the trail traverses a 1-foot wide ledge with a steep drop-off to the left.  Careful footing will close the loop 5.6 miles from the start.  A right turn and climbing many stone steps will return you to the parking area to complete the hike.