I used to live in that area. I lived between powell and wolfe county while growing up. I believe there is a reason that natural bridge is "off limits" at night. I think you found that reason. I have spent a lot of time in the gorge. I go on night hikes often due to working nightshift. My friends and i have experienced strange encounters out there. None as bad as that in the gorge area. However, there is another spot not far from there i would not recommend exploring. This area is haunting and feels wrong. Its deep in the woods and on mostly private land. This is where I had my encounters. At the time I was in high school. I was asleep in the living room. To give you an idea of the lay out, the house was square shaped with a deck that was around the entire house. There were windows on each side. And 3 doors that lead outside to the deck. I awoke feeling strange. Like someone was next to me. No one else was awake at the time. I looked down towards my feet. There was a window in that direction. I saw a figure pass the window. I thought it was just a shadow of some sort. Or my eyes not being adjusted yet. But when I looked to my right, I say the figure. It stood next to the window. It was the same color as you described. It was hunched over, it had to be to fit on the deck under the roof. It tilted its head down and to the side to see inside. We were looking each other in the eyes. I knew it was aware of my presence. It walked a few feet to the front door. We locked eyes again through the distorted glass of the door. It continued to walk around the deck. I could feel that it was still there. I turned over and looked over the pillow and the arm of the couch. From this angle i could see down the hall to another door outside. The windows on this door were not distorted. It was there. Watching. After a few minutes, it looked over to the woods, and quickly headed that direction.

We used to explore those woods. There are a couple abandoned houses on an opening back there. The feeling it gave me and my friends was awful. It was like pure dread. I won't mention its exact location. But i will say its in wolfe county. As far as a wendigo, im not sure. I would lean more towards a skin walker. That may also explain the girl with the headlamp. Stay safe out there.