| The Red River Gorge |

The Red River Gorge is located only 50 miles from Lexington, Kentucky and yet because of it's diverse vegetation, geology and biology it is a different world entirely.

At one time the Red River was going to be dammed and the resulting lake was to provide a means of income for the struggling local economy. A conflict ensued between environmentalists (The Sierra Club) and local politicians (the Red River Valley Flood Control Association). The environmentalists argued that The Red is a national treasure and should remain a wild & scenic river. The politicians said the locals needed jobs and "that old hollow is not worth saving."

On November 18, 1967 Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas decided to visit the Red River Gorge himself to see first hand what all the controversy was about. He hiked in an area now known as the Clifty Wilderness. During that hike he remarked: "This place is one of the Great Wonders of America." He was so inspired by the natural beauty of the area that he fought for and won National Wild & Scenic River status for The Red. His decision accelerated the purchase of a vast tract of land east of the 'concrete bridge' known as the Upper Red, to be added to the Daniel Boone National Forest (formerly Cumberland National Forest). The Douglas Trail in Clifty Wilderness is named in his honor.

Forty years later, thanks to Justice Douglas, The Red still flows freely and the arches, forest, rock formations, archæology, wildflowers and campsites remain intact for everyone to enjoy.

The following images were taken during my numerous hikes in the area. With these photos, I have tried to convey to others the essence of The Gorge that Justice Douglas may have experienced at the time of his pivotal visit.