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Wall of Denial

Kentucky > Red River Gorge > Northern Gorge
Warning Access Issue: New route development is prohibited in the Daniel Boone National Forest. DetailsDrop down

Description

Wall of Denial is a great place to go to escape the crowds. Except when the crowds show up trying to avoid you.

It's a long walk but well worth it. The routes are good and varied. The setting is aesthetic and remote.

Getting There

Park at the concrete bridge parking area. Hike up the Douglas Trail as if going to Eagle's Nest. The trail will bend right (south) with the river past Eagle's Nest. After a few more minutes you will cross a shallow, but narrow gully. Immediately after crossing look for a trail heading into the rhododendron on the left. After making the split look for another split and follow th eleft trail up the hill toward the cliffline. Once at the main cliff walk around the corner to the right. The wall faces south.

Early editions of the guidebook have maps that show the cliff in an incorrect location (much farther east than it really is).

Routes from Left to Right

5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 3
● Cold Shot
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 3
● Hair Of the Dog
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 1
● Double Trouble
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 2
● Anne's Crack
Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 13
● Pink Panties Pulldown
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 2
● 11:11
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 39
● Bongo
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 18
● Red River Renaissance
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 12
● New Red River
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 2
● Campfire Crank
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 5
● Sisyphean Labor
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 45
● Strick 9
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
 11
● Buckeye Testpiece
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13
 1
● Blue Balls
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 17
● Toxic Avenger
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 31
● Funhouse
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Cold Shot
 3
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
● Hair Of the Dog
 3
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
● Double Trouble
 1
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
● Anne's Crack
 2
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Pink Panties Pulldown
 13
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
● 11:11
 2
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
● Bongo
 39
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
● Red River Renaissance
 18
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● New Red River
 12
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Campfire Crank
 2
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Sisyphean Labor
 5
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Strick 9
 45
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
● Buckeye Testpiece
 11
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R Trad
● Blue Balls
 1
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13 Trad
● Toxic Avenger
 17
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
● Funhouse
 31
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The Red River in the Upper Gorge.
[Hide Photo] The Red River in the Upper Gorge.
Cairned path that splits left off of the main trail along the river (approx 30-40min from parking lot to this point), leads up to the cliff in 5 more mins. This is shortly after one of the tributary crossings.
[Hide Photo] Cairned path that splits left off of the main trail along the river (approx 30-40min from parking lot to this point), leads up to the cliff in 5 more mins. This is shortly after one of the tributar…
Climber on the route Buckeye Testpiece. The dihedral to the left is Strick 9 and the chalk spots to the right are Toxic Avenger.
[Hide Photo] Climber on the route Buckeye Testpiece. The dihedral to the left is Strick 9 and the chalk spots to the right are Toxic Avenger.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Jarred Huist
Dayton ohio
[Hide Comment] Here is some for information about the approach. I've been to this wall twice and bushwacked both times when it wasn't needed. There are 4 major drainages that you cross total from the parking area. The 4th is a tiny water fall that you will be above looking down into a slot. Tiny like 6 inches wide. 50 more feet past there is an obvious trail that heads to the left towards the wall. If you feel like you are bushwacking go back to the trail and keep going. There is a definite trail heading through the rodos. Jul 14, 2019
Jim Urbec
Sevierville, TN
[Hide Comment] Jarred's notes are spot on.... be prepared to BushWack on this if you take the wrong trail!!!! Jul 15, 2019