In northern Christian County lies Apex Natural Arch; a natural curiosity reminiscent of rock features one might find in the Daniel Boone National Forest of eastern Kentucky. This location has been cited as a landmark since local history was recorded; and the community of Apex has become legendary, as there is supposedly a cache of gold coins buried and then lost somewhere in the vicinity.
This site is located 9.2 miles east of Exit 23 on the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway, via Highway 800, Crofton Fire Tower Road, and then Highway 189; which leads to Apex and Rock Bridge Cemetery. I uploaded photos of this location to Google Earth, and afterwards I noticed a rapid increase in vandalism; therefore, any further details on the whereabouts of this location will be left up to the avid explorer.
An abstract from the “Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science” states, “Apex Natural Arch located in northeastern Christian County, Kentucky, is the result of surface water infiltration along parallel joints, basal erosion along a weaker section of the outcrop extending to existing joints, removal of basal support, and collapse of sandstone slabs. The arch is formally named here for the village of Apex, Kentucky.”
The website of the “Natural Arch and Bridge Society” states, “Apex Arch, also known as Rock Bridge, is an adult alcove natural arch. The lintel is well separated (22 feet) from the adjacent cliff, but the opening remains fully occluded . . . Apex Arch has a span of 64 feet, a height of about 30 feet, and a width and thickness of 3.5 feet.” This natural feature is formed from the Big Clifty sandstone, which also comprises the cap rock of the Mammoth Cave plateau.
Apex Natural Arch, though not publicized, is frequently visited. I was alerted to its existence from an old college friend, and also by a hiker whom I met on a trail at the Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area. I also chatted with some local Amish at a store in Crofton who said the Amish children had recently taken a school fieldtrip to the Arch. The identity of the landowner is unknown, and the land is most likely held under private ownership; therefore, please be respectful of the property.
Unique rock formations await visitors of Apex Natural Arch. Should you find the parking area for this site; from there, it requires a casual one-third mile hike down a rutted dirt road, which leads directly to the Arch. Please be careful, as there are high cliffs that create a falling hazard. The drawback to this site is extensive vandalism, graffiti, and litter. Please do not contribute to the degradation of this unique natural wonder. Remember to “take only pictures” and “leave only footprints.”
