Daniel Boone National Forest: Silvermine Arch Trail (Blog Hike #140)

Trail: Silvermine Arch Trail

Hike Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Koomer Ridge Campground

Geographic Location: east of Slade, KY (37.78168, -83.63682)

Length: 3 miles round-trip

Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Dates Hiked: February 2004, May 2017

Overview: An out-and-back hike, easy while in the campground but ending in a steep descent to the arch.

Trail Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=39506
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940324
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From the Slade exit (Exit 33) on the Mountain Parkway, go east on SR 15 5.1 miles to the entrance to Koomer Ridge Campground on the left.  Park in the “trail parking area,” which is located to the left just after entering the campground.  The trail starts at the entrance to the trail parking area.

The hike: The Koomer Ridge Campground is a favorite jumping off point for hikers to the Red River Gorge.  In addition to some of the finest camping facilities in the Daniel Boone National Forest, several famous trails can be reached from the campground.  The famous and aptly named Rough Trail runs just 3 miles north of the campground and is reached via the 3 mile Koomer Ridge Trail.  Hidden Arch also provides an interesting destination and, at only 1 mile north of the campground, is easier to reach via the Hidden Arch Trail.

            The destination of this hike is Silvermine Arch, located just east of the campground.  Silvermine Arch is one of the more interesting arches near the campground partly because of its formation (the arch itself is rather attractive) and partly because of its location along a steep hillside, surrounded by cliffs.  The first part of this hike passes through the campground and is fairly level, but many steps and some steep areas will need to be traversed (in both directions) near the arch.

Trailhead at Koomer Ridge Campground

            Pick up the trail across the main campground road at a carsonite post designating trails 208 (Hidden Arch), 220 (Koomer Ridge), and 225 (Silvermine Arch).  The trail traverses the hill above the road for 0.1 miles before coming to an intersection.  The Hidden Arch and Koomer Ridge trails continue straight here while our trail, as indicated by another carsonite post, turns right.  Heading east, the trail maintains a fairly constant elevation weaving between a few campsites.  After dropping to pass through a wet area, the trail climbs gently to reach the amphitheater where it crosses a fire access road.

            0.75 miles into the hike, the trail descends gently as it skirts the upper reaches of a ravine.  The trail continues tracing the rim of the ravine through open woods, and at 1.1 miles the ravine, now a steep-walled valley, can be seen opening up to the right.  At 1.25 miles, the trail reaches the end of the ridge.  A 79-step wooden staircase takes the hiker off the end of the ridge and marks the beginning of the difficult part of this hike.  Look for white diamond blazes near the base of these steps, as this part of trail was relocated in 2001 when the former wooden staircase at this location collapsed.

View from top of steps

            The trail continues descending, sometimes moderately, and sometimes steeply and even over bare rock.  A final set of steep steps take the hiker around the end of the small ridge to arrive at the base of the arch.  Perched right on the steep hillside, this is quite a location.  The arch itself is about 5 feet thick, 30 feet long, and between 5 and 15 feet high.  Some rhododendron is growing on top of the arch, and some honeycombing can be seen on the side of the arch.  The valley bottom is still a couple hundred feet below, and some impressive cliffs can be seen on the far side of the arch.  This is a great, cool spot for a break and trail snack before beginning the difficult climb back to the ridge.  Retracing your steps 1.5 miles back to your car will complete the hike.

Looking through Silvermine Arch