Ohio - Day 3 - Hocking Hills - Waterfalls and Orchids

There's no better place to find yourself 

than sitting by a waterfall 

and listening to it's music.

~Roland R. Kemler

Upper waterfall is seen immediately off the parking lot.

Hocking Hills State Park

As Thursday dawned we discussed our options. We had hiked for two days in search of the Hopewell and decided to take a break and try one of the other places on our list. Rated as one of Ohio's best places to hike, Hocking Hills* was on the list and only a short drive from Chillicothe. But we almost decided against it. There were other state parks and forests closer. And HH is incredibly popular. We had so enjoyed our quiet hikes (it was strange and wonderful to be the only car in the parking lot at the trail head). DH is not a fan of crowds. But, the ringing endorsement of both the Internet and the breakfast lady** convinced us to get an early start (thus avoiding the crowds and heat).

Towards the end of our hikes we did see a few folks. Some were hikers. Others were families "just getting outside." I don't mind a little interaction and took a few photos for people - with real cameras  (believe it or not). Cell phones need not apply at HH. The camera works, but there is no service.***

Hocking Hills was as lovely as described. Many features were obviously (obvious to us old folks anyway) Civilian Conservation Corps constructed. Other features are newer.

It is a lawyer's nightmare with few railings and loads of opportunities to trip and "fall off the cliff." And, while warned, people ignore the warning signs and rules. We saw animals off leash, tiny children riding bikes on the cliff trail, people taking photos beyond "THIS IS NOT A TRAIL" signs, and folks wading in the water. We also noted more than a few trees and sandstone boulders with the names of fools**** from a century ago and yesterday engraved thereon.

Oh, yes - there was something for everyone...a fire tower for him and orchids for her.

I. OLD MAN'S CAVE TRAIL:

But here is the rest of the upper waterfall. It must be amazing during the snow melt.

Once you step into the park you know immediately that this is a different place.

We had seen a good deal of mention of the Buckeye Trail. That trail circles the state.  We were not impressed with some maps and trail makings on this trip. Later in this park we found ourselves in a spot where the trails were marked with red, yellow, and blue pain on the trees. According to this map there is a spot where those three major trails coincide. For us, confusion.

DH knows not to waste time waiting for me. Especially here in Ohio. I was looking for wildflowers (orchids).

Not orchids, but a special type of violet I had not yet seen. Long-spurred Violets

There would be lots of stairs, tunnels, paths along the edge of the cliffs, and bridges.

How could we not seek out Old Man's Cave?*****

I bet loads of folks show up here for weddings and wedding photos. Look at this place!

You can see there were few people as we started this hike.

Much of the cliffs are of a type of sandstone and the creek here has carved the rock in amazing ways.

Devil's Bathtub

A different view of the Devil's Bathtub

Who is this guy walking across the bridge?

The first small caves we saw.

There were any number of overhangs where people could shelter.

Trees up on the ledge.

More water falling.

Two of the more modern bridges - an A-frame above and a strangely lovely concrete slab sculpture below.

Yes, I did cross it. There was no other option. It was actually more like a sidewalk and not frightening (really).

We were on our way to the "Long Tunnel" and we thought this was it.

Some guy was at the end...

It is amazing - how nature will out. This tree sent out roots in every possible crevice between these boulders.

More falling water.

It looks like we found Old Man's Cave.

Fools' names....

Another little tunnel and we were there.

Looking out across the stream

I'd want to live here too!

I stopped to help a family take a photo - and some newlyweds (I could tell by the beard).

A Sweet Violet and Virginia Spring Beauties

A little bit of path where we weren't climbing stairs or crossing bridges or walking in dark tunnels.

These lovely four-petaled bluets lined many paths in the woods (here and other places we visited).

Spoke too soon - it had to be the Long Tunnel.

It was pretty dark - 3 or 4 sets of steps.

Looking back up. I did trip, slightly. There was a half step that surprised me.

Some handrail was missing as well. Glad I used my cell flashlight.

These steps have been used a long, long time.

We found that birds were hard to see in the trees...and even harder to identify. But their music was remarkable.

The Eastern Redbud - almost bloomed out, but finally one I could photograph.

If you go, be prepared for steps and bridges.

And just when you think you have seen all the wildflowers blooming in the area, one jumps up and surprises you. Dwarf Crested Iris

II. ASH CAVE TOWER AND TRAIL:

Let's be honest - DH was more interested in the TOWER, a fire lookout tower, that was clearly marked "climb at your own risk."

There have been a number of times I have generously agreed to stay behind and take photos while others climbed (the climbing walls, the pine tree, and this fire lookout tower). DH said there were 99 steps and that wasn't even the top. The observation area at top was locked.

This was the size tower we needed at Serpent Mound.

That's him half-way up.

Where is he? That is his "waive."

Ultimately, we did not make it to Ash Cave. It was hot. The trail was "up and down" and uneven (and we had left the trekking poles in the car). And we weren't too amused by the trail markings - or lack thereof. After looking back over the hike, maps and such I conclude we were starting at the wrong end of the trail. The markings were for statewide trails, not the local ones.

But MOST IMPORTANTLY, had we not started the hike as we had, we would have missed the orchids. Yes, yes I said ORCHIDS. So, all in all, it was worth the effort (next time we will start at the other end of the trail...he's already climbed the tower.

Indian Strawberry

You cannot see from this shot, but the trail was all over the place.

Pink Lady's Slipper - shhh, it's an orchid!

Bud

I was pretty giddy to see them.

Dogwood blossoms from below.

As you drive through the countryside the Dogwoods were blooming everywhere.

I laughed to see this flower. It is a menace in my yard. Here people are excited to see it. Common Star-of-Bethlehem

Violets - bloom everywhere in

As we were walking DH suddenly stopped and gave me the "stop" signal. He "there's a little yellow bird up here," he whispered. I snuck up behind him and snapped photos until the bird finally took off. I guessed wrong. What we saw as "yellow" is actually green. It was a Black-throated Green Warbler. Who knew?

Do you see the hand in the corner. He stayed in that - two hands palm back, fingers spread STOP position the whole time.

It's a type of broom rape.****** I knew it. An old common name is Squawroot, American Cancer-root. It is officially Conopholis americana, it is parasitic - growing on the roots of oak trees. We saw it in three locations. I immediately identified it as a broom rape (after observing Ivy Broom Rape in the woods in Ireland). It's hard to forget that name.

The hike was fine, but we were more and more frustrated by the mapping and signage. So we documented the trail makings. And I couldn't help getting a few more photos of plants/flowers...especially the Lady Slippers.

Wild Geranium

Aren't they pretty - and we saw them almost everywhere.

And we found MORE iris! Dwarf Crested Iris

Fools' Names

I think this is where we turned around.

Yellow trail marker

Blue trail marker - cranky DH heading across one of the foot bridges.

The red trail mark. You know I took the photos because I planned to write the park about it. Glad I found the state trail map that showed why this trail was marked this way.

Even thought the wildflowers weren't at peak, we had some moments like this.

It was a lovely hike.

Back to the Lady Slippers!

Worth the strange hike.

I like traveling with this guy. And he knows I'm planning another trip to Ohio - about two weeks earlier than this one - peak wildflower season.

NOTES:

*http://www.explorehockinghills.com/state-parks/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwre_XBRDVARIsAPf7zZjFHW9fhkRG9oVBvIX3AXKURVxOpec0q_qKiKMBEEqT4mFTvUIYBiQaAu-bEALw_wcB

**"My sister has been there and she said it was beautiful. I have not been there yet, but I plan to go," she said. This lady took fabulous care of us (and looked the other way when we swiped extra bagels and cream cheese for a mid-hike snack) so we figured we should trust her.

***I will probable mention this again, but we often found ourselves "out in the middle of nowhere" without cell service. It might be our server. It might just be Ohio. We also gave up trying to find radio stations in the rental and purchased a few CDs to play in the car (No we don't do iTunes or any of that stuff - yet. Yes, children. I went to the "cheap bin"). We traveled with Simon and Garfunkle, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Tchaikovsky. These CDs will probably stay in one of the "grab and go" bags. [Don't YOU keep a bag packed for an emergency road trip? You know, toothbrush and underwear.]

****My parents' words in my ear - "Fools names and fools faces always appear in public places." Now we teach, preach, and wish more people followed "Leave No Trace."

***** https://www.hockinghills.com/old_mans_cave.html

******https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orobanche


FINAL NOTE: We understand that Arc of Appalachia is purchasing additional land adjacent to Hocking Hills State Park to extend the wild. We love these people.