Hike #1:
LOCATION: Old Man's Cave and the Rock House, at Hocking Hills State Park.
DATE(s): April 19th, 2008 (Rock House), and May 18th, 2008 (Old Man's Cave)
CITY: Logan, Ohio
DISTANCES: 57 miles from Columbus, OH, 32 miles from Athens, OH
DIRECTIONS: Take US Route 33 East out of Columbus (accessible off of Interstate 70 East towards Wheeling) or West out of Athens. Upon entering Hocking County, you will find several signs directing you to the different sections of the park.
There is only one word that I can use to describe Hocking Hills State Park, and that is magical. Nestled in Southeastern Ohio about an hour's drive from Columbus, Hocking Hills is a shocking sight to see after becoming accustomed to the pancacke-flat landscape of Columbus, and nearly everything westward stretching to the Rockies.
Hocking Hills is divided into four separate sections throughout Hocking County, Ohio. In Rachel and my first visit to the park in April 2008, we visited the northernmost region of the park, a location which features the Rock House (pictured above). The Rock House itself is a naturally created mini-cave. Inside it is gorgeous, with brilliantly red cut open rock and stone. Inside the house you will find carvings from visitors dating back to the mid-nineteenth century.
Yesterday, Rachel and I visited the largest and most popular region of the State Park, Old Man's Cave. This trail and region is extremely accessible and is a very easy hike for young children. It features various gorgeous cliffs and waterfalls, coupled with miles and miles of trail. Much of the would-be steep sections of the trail use stairs, making it especially accessible for unexperienced hikers.
A very distinctive element of the park are the beautiful stone footbridges (shown in the above right photograph). These footbridges provide easy access across streams, usually to access waterfall locations.
There are three main waterfalls in the Old Man's Cave section of Hocking Hills: the Lower Falls (as pictured above), the Middle Falls (a small waterfall just upon passing the visitor's center and gift shop), and the Upper Falls (as pictured below). Each of the falls are easily located due to the plentiful signage throughout the park. One most likely does not need to consult a trail map to find ones way around Old Man's Cave.
The Upper Falls in particular sports an amazing shade of turquoise from limestone deposits in the water.
FINAL CONCENSUS: Hocking Hills's gorgeous rocks and alcoves (as seen to the above - notice how small the people in the shot look under th gigantic rock) and picturesque waterfall landscapes are perfect for any hiker, seasoned or unseasoned. It is also perfect for children and the elderly. One can easily do one of these sections in a couple hours, or one can knock off several parts of the state park in one day. Make sure to bring lots of water!
DIFFICULTY: Easy
GOOD FOR KIDS?: YES!
LENGTH?: 1-3 hours
We hope you enjoyed our first entry! When the RJP returns for summer vacation, expect an update almost every weekend featuring trails all about the New York-New Jersey area! Thanks y'all!
-Jon
