Kentucky has the largest number of arches and bridges in the US outside of the Four-Corner states, with more just over the border into Tennessee. They present a very different effect to the viewer than the western desert arches. They are usually made of a dark granite instead of the typical sandstone red rock of the desert. They are often obscured by vegetation, so much so that pictures do them no justice at all; you have to just be there. While not as large as western arches in general, some are of very impressive size, and most are quite easy to hike to, since the Appalachian terrain is not nearly as rough and dangerous as the canyon lands. A fine grey arch covered in moss, surrounded by tall trees with magnificent fall foliage is a sight you will never see out West!
A small natural bridge in Kentucky:
The Natural Arch of Kentucky
The great granite spans of Kentucky and Tennessee are often very beautiful
when seen in person, because of the abundant foliage all around, as opposed to the
usually sparse vegetation around the western desert arches. But for that
same reason, it can be terribly difficult to get decent pictures of them -- the
farther you back up in order to get the whole span in the picture, the more
trees you get between you and it, which wind up hiding the whole thing.
This is the largest natural arch in Kentucky, but the opening is much larger
than it looks here.
Another nice arch with fall foliage. I forgot to write
down the names of lots of the Kentucky arches when I took my pictures, so I have
some researching to do! This one might even be over the border into
Tennessee.
