Red River Gorge Backpacking Overnight- July 25-26 and Aug 22-23

Hope Wanders Adult Recess Adventures are designed to cultivate a supportive and healthy outdoor community for all adults aged 21 and over. These engaging field trips provide opportunities for connection, exploration, and well-being in nature. Importantly, the funds generated from these adventures directly support Hope Wanders mission by providing scholarships to women navigating difficult life situations, empowering them to experience the healing and community-building benefits of these very same outdoor excursions. So, while open to everyone, each “Recess Adventure” contributes to fostering a wider circle of support and opportunity.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Adventure (2 Days)

Join Hope Wanders for an empowering 2-day backpacking trip in the stunning Red River Gorge! Starting at Greys Arch, we’ll hike the scenic Rush Ridge Trail to our overnight camp with scenic view of the Red River Gorge. Enjoy learning water filtration at La Petit Springs and capturing breathtaking photos. Day two takes us back via the iconic Greys Arch Trail, showcasing the Gorge’s unique beauty. To celebrate, we’ll experience the incredible Gorge Underground for kayaking or paddle boarding before returning to Miamisburg, OH. Transportation, Lunch , some snacks, one group dinner and breakfast day 2 are provided.

Trip Overview:

  • Location: Red River Gorge Geological Area, Kentucky
  • Duration: 2 Days (Overnight Camping) 
  • Attendees: 10 Participants Ages 21 and up
  • Leadership: 1 Guide with Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certification.
  • Start/End Point: Martins Fork trailhead
  • Day 1 Hike: Martins Fork Trailhead to via Sheltowee (Trail 221-223/100) 6.8 miles  and 800ft Elevation
  • Day 1 Activities: Set up camp just after turn on Rough Trail 221, water filtration learning at La Petit Springs,
  • Day 1 Overnight: Camping on Trail 221 just after the Sheltowee
  • Day 2 Hike: back to Martins Fork Lot  via Grays Arch Trail ( Trail 205-221)  (visiting geological features). aprox.  4 miles approx. 400ft elevation gain.
  • Post-Hike Activity: Gorge Underground (kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding).
  • Departure: Dinner on the way back to Miamisburg, OH. (Not inluded in price)
  • Transportation: Provided to and from Downtown Miamisburg, OH.

Cost Breakdown- $499/Person

Included in the $499 Registration Fee:

  • Transportation:
    • Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Downtown Miamisburg, OH, to the Red River Gorge (Martins Fork trail 221) and back. This covers vehicle costs (fuel, mileage, potential wear and tear) and the driver’s time.
  • Professional Guiding Services:
    • A certified and trained guide for the entire 2-day trip. This includes their expertise in backpacking, navigation, local knowledge of the Red River Gorge, and their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the group. The guide’s Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications are a significant value included here

Meals:

  • Day 1: Lunch, snacks, and dinner at the campsite. This implies that Hope Wanders will be responsible for planning, purchasing, transporting, and potentially preparing these meals (or providing ingredients and instructions for participants to prepare with guidance).
  • Day 2: Breakfast and lunch. Similar to Day 1, this covers the provision of these meals.
  • Gorge Underground Experience:
    • The cost of entry and participation in the kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding activity at Gorge Underground. This includes the rental of all necessary equipment (kayak/paddleboard, paddle, personal flotation device) and safety gear provided by Gorge Underground.
  • Cooking Equipment at Camp:
    • Access to and use of necessary cooking equipment at the campsite. This  includes stoves, fuel, cookware, utensils, and potentially dishwashing supplies. Participants won’t need to bring their own cooking setups.
  • Water Filtration:
    • Provision of water filtration methods for the group. This likely means the guide will have water filters or purification tablets/drops available for the group to use at water sources like La Petit Springs. Participants may not need to bring their own personal water filtration systems.


Additional Cost (Optional):

  • Rental Backpacking Gear: $75
    • For an additional $75, participants can rent essential backpacking gear. This  includes:
      • Backpack
      • Tent (potentially shared)
      • Sleeping bag
      • Sleeping pad

What the $499 Likely Does Not Cover (Important Considerations for Participants):

  • Personal Backpacking Gear (unless rented): Items like hiking boots, appropriate clothing layers, rain gear, headlamp, personal toiletries, water bottles/reservoirs, and personal snacks beyond what is provided.
  • Personal Insurance: Participants are responsible for their own personal health and travel insurance.
  • Gratuities for the Guide (Optional): While not mandatory, it is customary to tip the guide based on their experience.
  • Dinner on the way home: The itinerary includes stopping for dinner on the way back, this will be at the participants’ own expense.

Hope Wanders Adult Recess Adventures – Refund Policy

Thank you for booking your adventure with Hope Wanders! We are committed to providing exceptional and memorable experiences. Please carefully review our refund policy below:

Trip Cancellation by Hope Wanders:

In the event that Hope Wanders needs to cancel a trip due to severe weather conditions, safety concerns, insufficient enrollment, or other unforeseen and unpredictable circumstances, participants will be offered the following options:

  • A full refund of the trip cost.
  • The option to transfer their payment to another available Hope Wanders Adult Recess Adventure of equal or lesser value (subject to availability).

Hope Wanders will make every effort to notify participants as soon as a cancellation decision is made.

Individual Trip Cancellations:

Hope Wanders does not offer refunds for individual participant cancellations, regardless of the reason. Our trip planning and logistics involve non-refundable costs and commitments made in advance.

Recommendation for Trip Insurance:

To protect your investment in case you need to cancel your participation due to illness, injury, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances, Hope Wanders strongly recommends purchasing individual trip insurance. This type of insurance can often reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs if you are unable to travel for covered reasons.

By booking a Hope Wanders Adult Recess Adventure, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this refund policy.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.