Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO THE NATURAL ARCH

Pamo is ready to ride!
Pamo is ready to ride!

On Wednesday, August 26, 2015, we took a Day Ride to Whitley City, Kentucky to visit the Natural Arch in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Jeff kicks off our day in this short video:

We left our home at 9:30am. The skies were blue with the temperature right at 60 degrees. We packed our chaps, wore our textile jackets and full finger gloves, and added our 3/4 Pilot helmets. The morning felt more like late September than late August.

We rode north on Clinton Highway (25W) through Clinton and into Rocky Top where we stopped for a light morning snack. After our quick stop, we continued north on 25W through Caryville and into downtown Lafollette.

In downtown Lafollette.
In downtown Lafollette.

We turned north remaining on 25W.

25W, heading toward Jellico, is a beautiful winding road.
25W, heading toward Jellico, is a beautiful winding road.

We traveled through Jellico and into Kentucky where we stayed on 25 in Williamsburg.

From Williamsburg we took 92 west about 25 miles to 27 north and into Whitley City.

Going down 92 heading to Whitley City.
Going down 92 heading toward Whitley City.

By the time we arrived in Whitley City it was 1:00pm so we decided to stop for lunch at the Burger Hut. (Neither of us got a burger, but all the food there is great!)

Country vittles! YUM!
Country vittles! YUM!

After lunch we continued on 27 north about 5 miles to the turnoff leading to The Natural Arch Scenic Area.

Before spending time at the Arch, you must pay a small fee.
Before spending time at the Arch, you must pay a small fee.
Jeff pays our fee and we're on our way.
Jeff pays our fee and we’re on our way.

After paying our fee, we rode the short distance to the Arch parking area. We parked our bikes and walked to the main Arch overlook.

The view from this overlook just off the parking area is spectacular!
The view from this overlook just off the parking area is spectacular!
Another view of the Arch.
Another view of the Arch.
A closer view of the Arch.
A zoomed in view of the Arch.
Another view from this same overlook site.
Another view from this same overlook site.

Here’s are short video from this main overlook:

After enjoying the overlook, we left to hike the trail down to the Arch.

Heading toward the trail head to the Arch.
Heading toward the trail head to the Arch.
The trail head.
The trail head.
Another overlook just a short distance down the trail.
Another overlook just a short distance down the trail.
Hiking further down the trail.
Hiking further down the trail.
And a little further.
And a little further.
We arrive at the Arch!
We arrive at the Arch!

Here’s a video as we arrived:

View of the other side of the Arch. Cool!
View of the other side of the Arch. Cool!
Another view under the Arch.
Another view under the Arch.

After gawking for awhile, we hiked back up the trail to the main picnic and parking area.

We stopped to rest and talk on the covered picnic tables.
We stopped to rest and talk on the covered picnic tables.

The Natural Arch is a beautiful and unusual outdoor site. If you like nature and enjoy being outdoors, this is a great day ride to take.

After spending about an hour and a half at the Arch, we rode back through Whitley City.

Downtown Whitley City, KY.
Downtown Whitley City, KY.
Another view of downtown Whitley.
Another view of downtown Whitley.

After leaving Whitely City, we rode about 10 minutes on into Stearns.

DR8-28-15-23
Stearns, Kentucky

Stearns is an history company town and home of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.

McCreary County Museum in the old Stearns Coal Co. Corporate Headquarters built in 1907.
McCreary County Museum in the old Stearns Coal Company Corporate Headquarters built in 1907.
View of the Historic District in Stearns.
View of the Historic District in Stearns.

We’ll have to make plans to return to Stearns for another Day Ride!

After our brief visit in Stearns, we rode south on 27 to Oneida. We then took 456 south to 63 just east of Huntsville. From 63 we rode to Rocky Top and onto Norris Freeway.

We stopped at the overlook at Norris Dam.
We stopped at the overlook at Norris Dam.
Norris Dam is a beautiful area and great for a rest stop.
Norris Dam is a beautiful area and great for a rest stop.

After our break, we continued to 61 where we stopped at Shoney’s for an early dinner.

After dinner, we traveled 61 back to Norris Freeway. We rode into Halls where we took Broadway back into Knoxville and home.

We got back home at 6:30pm and our total ride was 212 miles.

The best greeting of all!
The best greeting of all!

And here’s the wrap up video of our day:

You can view our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.