We returned to Conkle’s Hollow in early January. Snow blanketed the hollow while icicles edged the cliff rim. When the slightest breeze stirred the fir boughs, snow wafted down catching the light as it fell.
Snowy bridgeWhere is Ohio?
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Tag Archives: “Conkle’s Hollow”
Conkle’s Hollow in Winter
Snowy bridgeMid-autumn in Conkle’s Hollow
Last weekend’s sunny, warm weather encouraged us to go for a hike around the Rim Trail at Conkle’s Hollow. I just wanted to share a few photos, so you could see how beautiful this area is.
It’s hard to see how tall the cliff is because of the tall trees growing in the forest at its base.
The Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow
Looking up.
Conkle’s Hollow is a narrow gorge with breathtaking cliffs rising on either side; the cliffs are made of Blackhand sandstone and are quite sheer in places, the taller ones reaching up to 200 feet in height. Seasonal waterfalls flow from the cliffs at many sites, their streams joining to form Pine Creek on the valley floor.
Wondering about Reindeer Moss
Reindeer once lived in Ohio. | Photo by Dean Biggins of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Although reindeer don’t live in Ohio now, it was a different story during the last ice age.
Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve
Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve is a scenic narrow gorge located in Hocking Hills State Park. Two trails are available to hikers. The upper trail is the Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail. This is a spectacular loop trail that follows along the rim of the cliff walls affording a view of the valley and the cliff on the other side. A word of caution: this trail is moderately strenuous and not at all suitable for small children. Enjoy the view, but stay away from the cliff edges! The overall hike is about 2.5 miles and passes several seasonal waterfalls.
The hikers on the cliff to the right are on the rim trail.
