11 miles of hiking • 4250' elevation gain •
Went up a gully east of ROA arch from Horsetail Falls TH, gained ROA Ridge Trail, climbed further and dropped to Mt. Kiesano for astonishing Gorge views. Then, checked out another sub ridge off of ROA Ridge higher up before staying on ROA Ridge route to Horsetail Creek Trail and descended back via Horsetail Ridge. At the terminus of the ridge, we descended west rather than east into copious poison oak and periodic deer trails that kept petering out whereas the east has steep, yet consistent deer trail with no poison oak. Never again on west descent! Great day, though.
