Riders and horses just inside the entrance of Chapel Cave.
Chapel Cave is a large chapel-shaped, recess cave located off a bridle trail in the Hocking State Forest. The cave is also known as Twenty One Horses Cave because it is reputed to be big enough to hold 21 horses (with their riders).
A climber gets ready to rappel down the cliff
On our visit to Balanced Rock we accidentally ended up in the Rock Climbing and Rappelling Area of Hocking State Forest. This 99-acre region of the Hocking State Forest contains a mile long escarpment of Blackhand sandstone varying in height, topping out at 100 feet. It is the only place on state land in Hocking County that is available for use by rock climbers and rappellers.
One sunny day this summer we decided to visit Balanced Rock (also known as “Table Top Rock“). I’d seen pictures of it many times, but had never been there.
Posted in Nature, Southeastern Ohio
Tagged "Bridle Trail", "Hocking County", "Hocking Hills Region", "Hocking SF", hiking
Standing on the airplane’s wing, looking at its nose.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. We stood on top of a rock outcropping shaped like an airplane overlooking Crane Hollow far below. From our vantage point, we had a magnificent view of the forest valley and hillsides miles away.
Posted in Nature, Southeastern Ohio
Tagged "Airplane Rock", "Bridle Trail", "Hocking County", "Hocking Hills Region", "Hocking SF", hiking
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.
Deb at the top of the cleft.
Rhododendron Cove is a spectacular place, but not the easiest preserve to find. Until quite recently, you needed a permit from the state to visit. It’s open to the public now, but it’s still a fairly well-kept secret. It’s as though there’s a secret Rhododendron Cove Club whose first rule is: don’t talk about the secret Rhododendron Cove Club. I will tell you how to get there. But first let me tell you why you might want to go.
Posted in Central Ohio, Nature
Tagged "Fairfield County", "Hocking Hills Region", "Rhododendron Cove", wildflowers
Bee in Water Lily
We stopped by Wahkeena Nature Preserve this past weekend; unlike our previous trip, we didn’t hike the trails there. Instead we focused on the marsh, pond, and streams. Water lilies were blooming in both the pond and marsh, and as you can see above, bees were busy pollinating them.
Posted in Central Ohio, Nature
Tagged "Fairfield County", "Hocking Hills Region", amphibians, bugs, newts, Wahkeena, wildflowers
The Hocking Hills is one of the most scenic areas in the state of Ohio. It is also a hiker’s paradise with trails varying in difficulty from relatively easy ones (appropriate for young children) to more challenging trails that cover steep terrain or follow gorge rims.
Old Man’s Cave
Posted in Nature, Southeastern Ohio
Tagged "Hocking Hills Region", "Hocking Hills State Park", hiking
I loved all the ferns. Nearly 30 species of fern can be found here.
Wahkeena Nature Preserve is a hidden gem located in the SE corner of Fairfield County. The preserve lies just beyond the farthest point of glacial advance at the peak of the ice age. The word, “Wahkeena” is an Indian word meaning, “most beautiful.” Given the variety of flowering shrubs and plants (including eight varieties of native orchids), this seems a very fitting name. You will see a brown sign for Wahkeena on US 33 as you head into the Hocking Hills. Wahkeena is well worth a detour.
Posted in Central Ohio, Nature
Tagged "Fairfield County", "Hocking Hills Region", OHS, Park Review, Wahkeena, wildflowers
Cedar Falls is a scenic waterfall situated on the trail halfway between Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. The falls was named by early settlers after the nearby cedar trees, of which there are none. The settlers misidentified the native hemlock trees as cedars.
Our daughter checking out the falls in August
Bob Platt
Deb Platt
ODNR State Wildlife News
