Yahoo Arch

This arch is located in McCreary County, about a half mile by trail from Yahoo Falls. It can be accessed via the Yahoo Arch trail that starts beside highway 700. That trail is one mile long.

To get to either place, you go west on paved road 700 from Whitley City in McCreary County. This town is about 25 miles south of Somerset, Ky. Road 700 goes roughly west for several miles and ends at a boat ramp at Alum Ford on the Big South Fork Of The Cumberland River (South Fork). There is a Forest Service campground near the boat ramp. There is no fording the river there anymore. Not far before getting to the end, is the turnoff on the right to go to Yahoo Falls. I'm not sure by how much, but maybe a mile or two before getting to the falls road, you will pass the trailhead for Yahoo Arch, on the right. Just past this, on the left, is a Forest Service road. It was the trailhead for Negro Creek, but somebody said the trail is grown up now, so I guess it is out of use. That road is closed, but there is a little space for parking just off the paved road. There is space for one or two vehicles on the right, at the trailhead to the arch.

This one mile trail to Yahoo Arch is not bad. It is fairly level most of the way, then goes downhill and hooks around to the arch and the overhang. It goes downhill somewhat, so there is some uphill walking on the way back. For people in reasonable good health, it should be ok. I'm over 60.

This arch was formed because an overhang in the cliff eroded on the back end and a gap developed, creating the arch.

Yahoo Arch

This is the big overhang and the continuation of the wall. This is facing the way to Yahoo Falls.

I've lived in this area for umpteen years and didn't go to this arch until recently (March 2010). I didn't think there was much too it, that it was relatively small. I found out differently. The arch isn't real big, and not near as grand as Natural Arch, also in McCreary County, but this place is interesting. It is a neat place to go, and not hard to get to.

Same direction, but made from farther back under, with a 19-35mm lens. I used a film camera, and Barb used a moderate digital (not SLR).

Also same direction, but gives more of a sense of being there, and some perspective on the height.

Sort of an oblique view of the arch. To go back out to the road, you go alongside and around to the right and up, up, up untill you reach fairly level ground again, and then follow the trail.

Markers Arch

Right after starting the trail for Yahoo Arch (off paved road 700), you come to the Markers Arch trail on the right. This one is 1/2 mile. This trail is similar in that it is fairly level, then goes down for a while.

I was surprised when I found the arch. I thought it might be a situation similar to that of Yahoo Arch, but it isn't. It does have some rock wall, but not near as high. I didn't go beyond the immediate area of the arch, so I don't know what might be nearby.

I went under the arch and then left, along the wall, and turned back for this view.

This arch was ok for one visit. We had to check it out and make a few photos. It isn't far off the other trail, and the walk was ok on an early spring day. There could be more of interest close by.

Natural Arch

This arch is located in McCreary County, off paved road 927, not very far south of Somerset, Ky. Going south from Somerset on Highway 27, you will get to Highway 90 (on the left) after about 15 miles, which is the road to Cumberland Falls. Continue on 27 a little further and you get to to 927 on the right. This road goes several miles and ends at a boat ramp in the Big South Fork Of The Cumberland River. Maybe 3 or four miles out that road is the access road for the arch visitor area, on the right. It is just a short drive to the visitor area. There are "bathrooms" and picnic tables, and a picnic shelter. There are new concrete walkways, that make it accessable for people using wheelchairs--not to the arch, but within the picnic, parking area. A new walkway goes to an overlook. It had been several years since I last went to this arch. Barb and I went Saturday, February 26, 2011. The state originally imposed a fee of $4 per car several years ago, when it started renovations. It is now $3. A paved trail goes down to the arch. Hiking trails go down through the hollows. There is a loop trail from the arch going around the island of rock back to the arch. Hikers can also connect with a gravel road. The Forest Service office not far away has hiking guides.

Koger Arch

You really need a wide angle lens for this one. Barb made these two photos with a digital camera, which has a normal lens for a digital. I used a film camera with a 28mm lens, but didn't get anything good. Needed a lens wider than 28mm. Contrast was a problem at the time too. These were made in 2005, and we haven't gone back. Since then, I bought a 19-35mm lens for my Minolta. We might go back and make more photos.

Koger Arch is in McCreary County. From Whitley City, you go south a short distance and turn right on highway 92, which goes to Monticello. Follow 92 a few miles until you get to the bridge over the Big South Fork Of The Cumberland River (South Fork). This place is known as Yamacraw. Just after crossing the bridge, you turn left on paved road 1363, and follow that a couple miles to another paved road on the left, road 582. Rock Creek is next to 1363. After turning onto 582 you immediately cross a bridge over Rock Creek. Then you follow 582 uphill, about 1/2 mile or so. On the left is a slim parking place, with a trail going off from it. This trail goes uphill to the arch (not very far). This first photo shows the front side of the arch. The trail goes up to and under it.

This photo shows the backside. Couldn't get it all in one photo at that time.

Rock House

AKA Creelsboro Natural Arch

This arch is located not far from Creelsboro, Ky, which is about 20 miles (straight line) southwest of Russell Springs, Ky. Driving there from Russell Springs would not be on a straight line. I looked up Creelsboro on the internet, and found it labled as a ghost town. It used to be a thriving town, but things changed, and now it is a small quiet community. I guess that would be the way to put it. There are still a few old buildings there. More on that later.

The Rock House is right next to the Cumberland River, not far below Wolf Creek Dam. It is part of a cliff line alongside the north side of the river. It was formed by a creek that cut a channel through the cliff to the river. The arch is close to paved road 379. You pull off the road, park in a small gravel area, and walk maybe 100 feet to the arch. Walk under to the other side, and you will be standing by the river.

There are a couple different ways to get there, from Russell Springs. We turned off 127 onto 379 and followed it all the way down, but had to make a couple turns to stay on 379. Another way is to stay on 127 through Jamestown, and on down to highwy 55. Turn right onto 55 (west) and go over to 379, then turn left (south) onto 379 and follow that down to Creelsboro. There really isn't much there. One big old building has been razed since I went there in 1995. From Creelsboro, continue on 379 a few miles and you should find the arch on the left. Descending a hill, you will see a stream bed down on the left. This goes down to the arch. After reaching bottom you can see the cliff containing the arch, and parking area. It would be better not to go too fast, you might miss it. Road 379 ends at one loop of the river. I looked up this place on an internet map, and it showed a ferry where 379 ends. I don't know if there is an operational ferry or not. We didn't go that far.

Walking through the arch, I was surprised to see what this photo shows. In 1995, the only other time I went there, I saw only trees and fields across the river. Since then, a road has been built down to a boat ramp, and houses built higher up. I liked it better the way it was. The place is now "civilized."

As in many other places, people have left graffiti on the walls, by usiing spray paint. We saw some old graffiti on the ceiling, from 1943 I think. It was more subtle, not glaring spray painted names in big letters.

This is the riverside of the arch, with Barb down by the water. There is a long cliff line along the river. The water was low that day in April. The first time I was there, the river was almost up to the floor of the arch.

This is a view looking downstream from the arch. It would be interesting to walk along the river for a while.

The cliff above the arch. Better keep an eye out for falling rocks. It is possible to get on top, from the front side, but should be done only by adults with their minds clear. I went up there in '95.

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Creelsboro

Coming into Creelsboro on 379, headed west, you will see this old store. I don't know what it was. Right on the other side, you turn left to continue on 379. Beyond the store, where the orange heavy equipment is parked, there used to be another large, old wooden building, shown in following photos. It was there in 1995; gone now.

On the left side of this curve is an old church, still in use. It has been kept in good condition.

This is the big old building that is gone now. This photo made in '95. It looked very old back then.

Another view, from '95. It must have had different stores inside.

Unknown Arch

I don't know if this arch has a name. It is close to Forest Service Road 88. It is in the area of Cumberland Falls, but not near it.

From the cleared, camp area there is a trail that goes down a short distanct to the arch, and you come to it as shown in this photo.

This is a view of the other side, the side that faces the road (88). It is not easy to see from the road.

This arch has some size to it. It is sort of hidden. I first saw it several years ago. I saw a dark place in the side of the slope and drove over to investigate. The topo map doesn't indicate an arch. I had no idea it was there. Just happened to find it.

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