Heigh-Ho and here we are in Ohio now. We needed a little excitement I guess, so after a rainy start leaving Carter Caves we crossed the Ohio River and left all straight roads behind. Seriously, we meandered on serpentine two-lane roads the entire time in Southeastern Ohio, making our way to Logan and nearby Hocking Hills State Park. Somewhere between a roller coaster and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, but in about 3 hours we were pulling into our latest spot to spend a few days.
By now the pets are well adjusted to the routine, even if they probably don’t like all the movement and noise. Everyone got fed and watered in camp as we set up and reviewed the park map to figure out what to explore. We opted to go to the Visitor Center to get our bearings, check the trail maps and have a quick look at the trailhead for Old Man’s Cave. I found it a bit confusing at first, since they mark everything as a one-way trail and note several places where there are lots of stairs – but it didn’t look hilly around that spot so, maybe when we hike it tomorrow we will find out. The rest of the afternoon was a “break” to do some laundry and (in my case) catch a nap.
Ok then, let’s hit the trail to Old Man’s Cave after breakfast! We packed the cameras, water bottles and decided it was going to be warm enough for shorts and tee’s. From the parking lot we took the one-way trail to Upper Falls and standing on a bridge admiring the view over the falls we noticed that a group of students (we figured 8th graders) was gathered just ahead of us. Well, gather might be generous, they were moving all about and chattering and giggling and, well, being 8th graders with a month of school left. That meant that we should delay our hike a bit to let them get ahead. And they did.
Back to the sandstone ravine that we were hiking through. This was an amazing journey down into this carved canyon of walls covered in moss and ferns, with huge hemlocks towering above us. The narrow (hence one-way) trail wound along the creek, under ledges, around boulders and crossed the creek several times. It was cool and lush and stunning. To be so deep in this ravine with cliffs above you, some overhanging, was very unique. It reminded me of our hike in New Hampshire’s Flume.
We soon reached this inward curved wall that was Old Man’s Cave. Very cool indeed. The approach had a bit of the feel of the cave dwellers of Mesa Verde. Hugging the boulders where it was damp were clumps of wild columbine, red and yellow in the sun. Trees above the cave grew precariously at the edge. Water dripped from cracks in the sandstone. It was worth the stair climb that came next, as we made our way back up to the top. Watch the video here: Caves and Cliffs in Hocking Hills
Hearing that there was a connection to Whispering Falls trail from the nearby lodge, we drove just around the corner to try that half-mile in, half-mile out trail. Beautiful lodge on the hilltop, but a stairway down to the trail was a reminder of the effort to return. But the trail wasn’t too rough, just some rocky spots along the sandstone cliffs and a last set of stairs down to the curved cave. This one resembled Old Man’s Cave, but was deeper and more curved. A small waterfall that you walked behind spilled over the edge, dripping maybe 100 feet. Again, quite a sight.
Along the trail as we returned were more pink ladyslipper orchids and loads of ferns. And that final set of stairs up. We spoke to a group of 3 who were struggling to return back to their car at the Visitor’s Center, which was probably another 2 miles mostly uphill. I volunteered to take the driver in the group back to their car in the Jeep, since we really had no other room. They were extremely grateful and my return back to Jackie had given her time to make it up the stairs and to the lodge on her pace, not mine. Ok, time for lunch.
So the afternoon had to include one more hike – which would it be? Looks like this Conkles Hollow gorge trail. It was listed as an accessible trail, concrete sidewalk. Perfect out and back, half mile each way. And it was pretty easy going through the wide, fern-filled gorge. Clusters of saxifrage. trillium and May apples were interspersed among the mossy logs and ferns. The trail went close along the sandstone cliffs that once again towered above until the sidewalk ended and it became a trickier path. Onward around boulders and along the creek we went until it ended in a huge bowl with a waterfall spilling over the lip. Not a gushing fall, but significant enough to sound wonderful as it splashed into the hollow space. Definitely worth the hike.
BUT, we were done for the day. On the way back to camp we stopped at the lodge, with tablets and laptops to connect to WI-FI and I uploaded the recent blog about Carter Caves (at the bar, sipping vodka & tonics, gin & tonics – in tall glasses). Yes, that was a proper end to the day’s hiking.
Next morning we had two hikes on the list. Ash Cave and Rock House. Ash Cave was less than a mile of trail and looked like a moderate hike. Rock House was a more difficult hike that would involve more steps and uphill climb, but also less than a mile. It seemed possible to do both, so off we went.
Ash Cave was an easy gorge trail into the cave and an uphill hike along a rim trail back. And boy was it worth it! As you will see from the pictures, which really don’t convey the size and scale, this was a massive amphitheater of sandstone carved out of a wall of rock. A small stream cascaded over the lip and splashed into a pool below. A picture of this cave in our local paper is what inspired me to make this trip and it did not disappoint. Simply a grand expanse of curved wall and roof. And yes, a stairway out with plenty of uphill climb back to the parking lot.
Rock House, site of a lot of stories of bandits and hideouts, was our last challenge here and since it was still morning, we drove the 8 miles or so to get to the trailhead. This rim and gorge trail was also a one-way hike that curved along the cliff edge and then switched back and dropped down along a sandstone wall covered in moss and ferns. Once reached, the cave was an amazing spot, carved into the hillside with several “windows” looking out to the woods beyond. What a perfect spot to shelter and not be seen. And of course the return trip back through the gorge was an uphill trek. But once back at the Jeep we were quite glad we still had the stamina to hike to these spots. Funny how your legs and knees just start to object more as they get older. Watch the video of these final hikes here: More Cave and Cliff Hikes in Hocking Hills
That wrapped up our hiking adventures here in Hocking Hills State Park. We did make a short run to Logan for some groceries and gas for the Jeep. Back at camp we got things ready for a morning departure. The next leg of the trip will be another serpentine drive through the hills and Southeast to Beech Fork State Park in West Virginia. Maybe 3 – 4 hours. Rain is predicted for tomorrow afternoon, so it may take a bit longer. Thanks for joining in the adventure. I will try to post more when I get the chance. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures.
And Finally . . .
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Adventures with Doug and Jackie 
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