Areas in the RRG are closed to protect visitor safety

In response to a black bear attack the US Forest Service has temporarily closed the Red River Gorge Gorge Geologic Area. This affects all Red River Gorge proper crags except those located in the Indian Creek drainage plus Long Wall, Fortress Wall, and Phantasia that remain open. Crags affected by the closure include, but are not limited to – Funk Rock City, Wall of Denial, Sky Bridge Ridge, the Small Walls, Frenchburg Overhangs, Military Wall, Left Flank, and Raven Rock.

This is a temporary closure and we will spread the word when the US Forest Service and officials notify the community that the area has been reopened.

Check out the full news brief after the break..

Black bear attack prompts temporary closure of Red River Gorge Geological Area

WINCHESTER, Ky., June 28, 2010 – On Sunday, June 27, the Daniel Boone National Forest issued a temporary emergency closure of the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The closure resulted after a hiker was attacked by a black bear. The closed area includes all national forest system lands north of Natural Bridge State Resort Park to U.S. Highway 460 in Menifee, Powell and Wolfe counties. The area will remain closed until further notice.

“Public safety is our highest priority,” said Forest Supervisor Frank Beum. “We are coordinating this temporary closure with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The officials with that agency will help us determine when the gorge can be reopened to the
public.

“Anyone who sees a black bear in the Red River Gorge vicinity is encouraged to call 1-800-25-ALERT to report the sighting,” said Beum.

For more information about the closure, contact the Cumberland Ranger District at 606-784-6428 or the Gladie Center at 606-663-8100.

Road work is completed to the point that traffic can again get back to Muir.

Please drive slowly and carefully. The shoulders are very soft at this stage.We are still grading and clearing trees and brush alongside the road.

Thanks for your patience and understanding during this closure.

Rick worked hard to bring this in ahead of schedule.

For more information about Muir Valley, visit the Friends of Muir Valley and MuirValley.com.

Last weekend made it clear that the approach road to Muir Valley needs to be rebuilt from scratch to keep careful drivers (the majority) from being terrorized by reckless [people]. The neighbors, and many of our visitors are justifiably angry. The neighbor to the south, a few weeks ago, while riding his horse, was struck by a speeding car catapulting over one of the blind hills. Fortunately it was a glancing blow with only minor injury.

Out of concern for our visitors’ and neighbors’ safety, we have no choice but to close the road Friday morning, May 30, 2008 and bring in heavy excavation equipment to do a major rebuild. Muir Valley will be closed indefinitely until construction is finished. The two blind hills will be removed, the road will be re-shaped and crowned, culverts will be installed and ditches dug.

Weather conditions and other concerns with utilities may postpone this work, but at this moment it is a “go.” We will post an update here if anything changes.

During construction, Muir Valley developers and others with vehicle permits may use the north entrance at Rogers to gain access to the maintenance/emergency road along the Valley floor. If you do not have an up-to-date permit and a 4-wheel drive vehicle, do NOT use this entrance. You will be towed. Jim Taylor’s AMGA training will proceed as scheduled.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Rick

For more information about Muir Valley, visit the Friends of Muir Valley and MuirValley.com.