Posted in Hiking, Park review, Southwestern Ohio

Indian Mound Reserve

Indian Mound Reserve is a 169-acre park that's managed by the Greene County park district. We were very favorably impressed by the park's historic and natural features. Among the historic features are: Williamson Mound: a Native American, earthen mound constructed by the Adena culture between 500 B.C. and 100 A.D. Pollock Works: a Native American, earthen wall constructed by the Hopewell culture between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D. A historic log cabin that's currently being renovated A dam created Read more ➜
Posted in Birds, Hiking, Park review, Southwestern Ohio

Spring Valley Wildlife Area

The same day we visited Clifton Gorge, we drove 40 minutes south to Spring Valley Wildlife Area. It was a gorgeous sunny, but cool day. A perfect day for a walk around the lake and marsh at Spring Valley. Spring Valley is an 842 acre state wildlife area on the border of Greene and Warren counties. It features an archery range, as well as shotgun, rifle and pistol ranges. It also includes a 150 acre lake and marsh with a 2.5 mile trail around it, and an extensive boardwalk leading Read more ➜
Posted in Hiking, Park visit

Clifton Gorge in Spring

Bob and I visited Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in early April. Since the foliage isn't out yet, visitors can get a clearer view of the Little Miami River than would be available in summer, plus the river is swollen from all of the spring showers. The bare branches that are extending over the falls in the above photo will block part of the view after the leaves have emerged. After observing the falls from above, we moved upstream and looked back at it. Then we started Read more ➜
Posted in Hiking, Park review, Southwestern Ohio

Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Glen Helen began when alumnus Hugh Taylor Birch donated a wooded glen to Antioch College in 1925 in memory of his daughter, Helen. The college continued to acquire adjacent land over the years, and the Glen Helen Nature Preserve now encompasses 1000 acres and 25 miles of hiking trails. The preserve is managed by the Glen Helen Ecology Institute. Within the preserve there is a yellow spring that has given its name to the town where the college and preserve are located. The preserve also includes limestone Read more ➜
Posted in Hiking, Park review, Southwestern Ohio

John Bryan State Park

John Bryan State Park makes a great base for outdoor adventures in Greene County, Ohio. The 752-acre park has 11.4 miles of trail, most of which are adjacent to the Little Miami River. Plus it has an additional 6.5 miles of multi-use trails a short distance from the river that's open to both mountain bikers and hikers. If hiking and biking isn't enough fun, the park features one of the state's few public rock climbing and rappelling areas. And because the Little Miami River runs through the park, Read more ➜
Posted in Park visit

Clifton Gorge after the leaves have fallen

There are a number of places where the terrain itself is interesting, but during the summer the foliage may partially obstruct your view. One of those places is Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. We visited there mid-November, but given our recent melt, it would look similar now. And here are some views of the Little Miami River downstream. They also show more of the river due to the lack of foliage. During our November visit we hiked to the eastern-most Read more ➜
Posted in Native American, Park review, Southwestern Ohio

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Years ago I went canoeing on the Little Miami River; the river serenely wound its way between the wooded river banks. But at Clifton Gorge, the Little Miami River is something altogether different; it plunges over falls and rapids between narrow cliffs of dolomite and shale. The river and surrounding cliffs are the main attractions of Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a 268 acre preserve located adjacent to John Bryan State Park. The Little Miami River flows through both, with the nature preserve Read more ➜