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The Koomer Ridge trailhead sits quiet at dawn. February cold settles over Daniel Boone National Forest. Most visitors head to paved overlooks. You turn left at the trail split, follow Chimney Top Creek upstream, and scramble through a slot canyon where sandstone walls close in. Then the valley opens. A 30-foot waterfall crashes into a turquoise pool surrounded by a 30-foot sandy beach. You’re standing in Kentucky, but the scene reads Caribbean.
The Red River Gorge secret
Upper Chimney Top Falls hides in the Right Fork valley, 3.5 miles roundtrip from the backpackers lot. The route stays off-trail. No markers. Heavy brush guards the approach. You cross the creek multiple times, climb over boulders, duck under cliff overhangs. The technical scramble filters crowds to near zero.
Daniel Boone National Forest protects 300-million-year-old Pennsylvanian sandstone here. The Corbin Sandstone Member eroded into towering cliffs and expansive rock shelters over 2 million years. Native peoples used these shelters for 10,000 years. Petroglyphs mark the walls. The turquoise pool sits at roughly 1,200 feet elevation, fed by a 189-acre watershed that stays clear year-round.
The turquoise pool paradise
The falls drop 30 to 34 feet depending on flow. Water hits a basin carved into golden sandstone. Mineral reflection and depth create the turquoise glow. The color intensifies in winter light when the creek runs low and clear.
The 30-foot sandy beach
A wide sandbar curves around the pool’s edge. The sand feels gritty underfoot, washed down from upstream cliffs. Two massive rock shelters frame the scene like a natural amphitheater. You can swim in the pool when temperatures allow. The beach stays dry even after rain. Locals call it one of the best swimming holes in Red River Gorge, though few know it exists.
Winter creek magic
February brings ideal conditions. Water levels drop to safe crossing depths. The creek stays clear. Mist rises from the pool at dawn and catches morning light. Bare trees let sunlight filter through. Ice forms on sandstone overhangs, glowing in winter sun. The turquoise pool contrasts with frozen edges. No crowds. No noise. Just water over stone.
The off-trail experience
The route demands attention. You leave the maintained trail system entirely. GPS coordinates help: Upper Falls at 37.786461°N, 83.642211°W. The trail split sits at 37.78837°N, 83.64028°W. From there you hike 0.55 miles to Upper Falls, passing Lower Falls at 0.35 miles and Middle Falls in between.
Technical scramble details
Creek crossings require careful footing. The ascent over Middle Falls (a 5-foot drop) involves Class 3 scrambling. Heavy brush obscures the path. Cliff overhangs force detours. The valley descent to Upper Falls stays steep. Allow 3 to 5 hours for the full roundtrip. Parking at lot 634B costs nothing. Daniel Boone National Forest requires no permits for day hikes. Practice Leave No Trace principles. The area sees minimal maintenance.
Double falls and rockshelters
Lower Chimney Top Falls drops 30 feet in a double channel. The water splits around a natural saddle in the rock. A fork in the creek hides a 3 to 4 story unnamed waterfall upstream. The two large rock shelters at Upper Falls offer camping space. Archaeological sites surround the area. Black bears hibernate in February, reducing wildlife encounters. Cell service stays spotty. Nearest emergency services operate from Gladie Visitor Center in Stanton, 10 to 15 miles away.
The earned quiet
You reach the falls around 8am. Winter light filters through bare branches and hits the turquoise pool. The water glows. Sound echoes off sandstone walls. You sit on the sandy beach. The gritty texture grounds you. No one else arrives. The technical approach keeps this place empty even on weekends.
The quiet feels timeless. Water has carved this valley for 2 million years. Native peoples sheltered here for 10,000. You’re just passing through. The effort to get here makes the silence meaningful. Similar turquoise pools exist in Arizona and Washington, but none combine the color with a sandy beach and Appalachian rock shelters.
Your questions about Upper Chimney Top Falls answered
When should I visit?
Spring and fall offer moderate flows and safe conditions. February 2026 brings ideal winter timing. Temperatures range from 25°F to 45°F. Creek levels stay low for easy crossings. Flash floods threaten in summer. Ice forms in deep winter but February avoids the worst. Crowds stay minimal year-round due to off-trail access. Sunrise happens around 7:30am to 7:45am in mid-February. Morning fog burns off by mid-morning.
What makes the water turquoise?
The color comes from mineral-rich water reflecting sandstone and sky. The pool’s depth intensifies the blue. Corbin Sandstone contains quartz and feldspar that create the golden basin. Clear water and winter light enhance the effect. The turquoise glow matches tropical cenotes in Mexico, where entry costs $10 to $30. Here it costs nothing. The comparison holds visually but Kentucky’s version stays wild and uncommercial.
How does it compare to other waterfalls?
Cumberland Falls in Kentucky stands 68 feet tall with paved access and high seasonal crowds. Upper Chimney Top Falls drops 30 to 34 feet with 3.5 miles of technical hiking. The trade-off is solitude. Missouri springs offer easier access but lack the sandy beach. The off-trail status filters visitors to a few dozen per month. Red River Gorge receives roughly 500,000 annual visitors overall, but most stay on marked trails. This falls remains overlooked.
The turquoise pool holds its color longest in morning light. By noon the sun shifts and the glow fades slightly. You pack out at 11am. The scramble back takes two hours. At the trailhead you pass a family heading to the paved overlook. They ask if the hike is worth it. You say yes. You don’t mention the falls. Some places earn their secrecy through effort.
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