Ohio hiking

fishhead · #1 05/18/11, 02:23 PM

Can anyone tell me where there are some good hiking trails in SE or eastern Ohio?

I'm thinking east of the Laurelville area.

Also, are there any good rivers or lakes for snorkeling in that area.

I'm planning a trip to the area next week and would like to do some hiking and snorkeling.

Danaus29 · #2 05/18/11, 02:38 PM

Hocking Hills, Old Man's Cave, Lake Hope, Zaleski State Forest, all have good hiking trails. If you go down to Hope Furnace at night you might be lucky enough to see the beavers in the swamp.

As for snorkeling, Ohio isn't the best place, especially after all the rain we've had, and the water is still very cold. There are supposedly some places in Hocking Hills for snorkeling. There's lots of water in that area.

fishhead · #3 05/18/11, 03:20 PM

Thanks! How do you find those places?

If the water is 70 or more I'll be fine for a while. What's the air temp now? 80?

Somerhill · #4 05/18/11, 03:36 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....clunk. (laughing my head off) It was 51 yesterday. Today its 65Longterm forecast is for 80s early in week, dropping into the 70s by midweek. Very unstable weather - lots and lots of rain right now. Looks like a chance of showers and storms all next week. Bring raingear! Woods are lovely now - lots of wildflowers and flowering trees and shrubs.
Here is the ODNR website - click on the hiking link.
http://ohiodnr.com/parks/tabid/80/Default.aspx

Danaus29 · #5 05/18/11, 06:23 PM

Lake Hope:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/par...4/Default.aspx

Hocking Hills:
http://www.hockinghills.com/

Old Man's Cave:
http://www.heartofhocking.com/Old_Mans_Cave.htm

Zaleski, this one has some lovely pictures:
http://www.backpackohio.com/zaleski.html

Zaleski State Forest home page:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/DNN/forests/z...1/Default.aspx

I had to laugh at the temp question too. I've got the heat on in the house. Todays high was somewhere around 65*F. It won't be until late July before the water temp gets to be close to 70*F in many places.

MattyD · #6 05/18/11, 07:13 PM

Yeah Hocking Hills has great trails near Ash Cave. Also there is Zoar Valley Trail. It runs from Schoenbrunn along the SE edge of New Philadelphia and ends at Ft. Laurens museum in Bolivar. It's a nice, 20 mile trail that you can hike in sections if you'd like. Part of the trail runs approx. 300 yds or so behind where I live. And about 4-5 years ago, they built a pedestrian bridge to cross over I-77. They keep adding to the trail and improving it. This trail is in Tuscarawas County. Where the trail ends is about 15 minutes South of Canton.

Zoar Valley Trail Map

L8R,
Matt

MattyD · #7 05/18/11, 07:17 PM

Oh yeah, as of right now it's 59* and STILL raining!!! I'm ready to move to Seattle to dry out!

L8R,
Matt

pheasantplucker · #8 05/18/11, 08:10 PM

Bring a wet suit!

fishhead · #9 05/18/11, 08:28 PM

Thanks for all the info and the weather report. I'll be sure to bring my rain coat and hat.

It sounds like your weather is about like ours is now.

Oggie · #10 05/18/11, 08:30 PM

Go to Athens and find the Burrito Buggy, if it's still there.

Haven · #11 05/18/11, 09:15 PM

Dundee Falls if you want an out of the way place that isn't overun with tourists. It's in the central region of eastern Ohio and only visited by locals who know how to find it. The Ohio Erie towpath trail also runs through this area and goes on and on forever. Personally I would travel the section from Navarre Ohio to Zoar village. Zoar is a very historic old German seperatist commune that has been renovated and is now filled with historic homes and cabins, a few quaint shops/museum and a public garden...a nice place to land after a long hike.

MattyD · #12 05/19/11, 07:33 AM

-How could I forget about Dundee Falls?!? My Dad and Mom live maybe 5 minutes or so away from there.. DUH!!! Yeah, Zoar is like a step back in time. I'm maybe a mile up the road from Zoar. And if you have a Mrs. with you, there is a new quilt shop that just opened up in Zoar last month I think. My Wife is going nuts about it.

L8R,
Matt

fishhead · #13 05/19/11, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haven

Dundee Falls if you want an out of the way place that isn't overun with tourists. It's in the central region of eastern Ohio and only visited by locals who know how to find it. The Ohio Erie towpath trail also runs through this area and goes on and on forever. Personally I would travel the section from Navarre Ohio to Zoar village. Zoar is a very historic old German seperatist commune that has been renovated and is now filled with historic homes and cabins, a few quaint shops/museum and a public garden...a nice place to land after a long hike.

So how do I find this place? I'm going to have 2-3 days to explore.

fishhead · #14 05/19/11, 10:03 AM

Found it. I did find the map to the backpacking trails in Zaleski SF.

I should probably just look for a field guide to Ohio hiking.

Does anyone have any suggestions on cheap lodging? All I need is a clean bed and electric. I may even sleep in my car and run an extension cord.

MattyD · #15 05/19/11, 10:27 AM

-There's a Knight's Inn in New Philadelphia which is about 15 minutes down I-77 from Bolivar/Zoar. I checked and the rooms there are $55/night for next weekend, and $47/night for mid-week. Not sure how cheap you're looking to go.

L8R,
Matt

fishhead · #16 05/19/11, 11:32 AM

Thanks!

$50/night sounds about right.

I think I'll also look for some B&B's. They're a little homier and usually economical.

CherieOH · #17 05/19/11, 12:33 PM

If you only have a few days and want to be near Laurelville, then Hocking Hills is definitely your best bet for hiking. The wetter weather means all the waterfalls should be flowing quite nicely too. Cedar Falls cascades about 50 feet over a cliff, and a waterfall at Ash Cave has a drop of about 90 feet, making it the highest waterfall in the park. But do not miss the trails around Old Man's Cave, truly the best hiking this area has to offer. I also recommend the East Rim trail at Conkles Hollow, though it's at it's best in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. You really are on the rim here and there are no guardrails, so be careful you don't slip on wet rocks and fall into the gorge! Check out this website for pictures of the waterfalls in this area. Be sure to click on all the links provided for more information and pictures about each.

Waterfalls of Hocking Hills
http://gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/hockinghills.shtml

I have found the following website to be the best for everything to do in this area.

Hocking Hills
http://www.hockinghills.com/

Hocking State Forest Map
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/1...king_bro11.pdf

I'm not familiar with any snorkeling in the area. Doesn't mean there isn't any. I just don't know about it. But there is canoeing if you are interested in that (if the floodwaters haven't ruined it this year). You can ask about them at the huge Visitor Center in Logan, just off US Route 33 on OH Route 664 heading west.

"Rempels Grove", just east of the Visitor Center and US Highway 33 on US Route 664 in Logan, has access to one of the canoe liveries, and also a hotel, antique mall, craft mall, glassware outlet and a couple of restaurants. Plenty of other restaurants and fast food joints in the town of Logan.

Rempels Grove
http://oldedutch.com/rempels/index.htm

There is another Visitor Center at Old Man's Cave, just across the street from the huge parking lot and at the start of the trails. You may want to purchase a booklet here with detailed maps of the trails.

Hocking Hills is a hot tub getaway and there are lots of cabin rentals in the area. Not cheap though. For cheap lodging, you may need to head north to Lancaster. Lots of motels and restaurants there. Between Lancaster and Logan is a rest area. Not sure what the laws are concerning sleeping in your car, but it’s worth a try. Another possibility for sleeping in your car might be at WalMart, just across the street from Rempels Grove in Logan. RVers overnight there sometimes as they are passing through the area.

Just south of Lancaster is Clear Creek Metro Park along Clear Creek Road, which follows the creek and passes Lena Rock, a couple of picnic areas with trailheads, park office, Written Rock and another large day use picnic area and trails (one to Lake Ramona).

NOTE: Due to the increased rainfall this season, some trails and roadways may not be passable. Be sure to check local visitor centers, state park offices and state forest offices for local conditions and closures.

Another area for good hiking trails lies southwest of the Hocking Hills area near Bainbridge (west of Chillicothe). It is now known as Highlands Nature Sanctuary and offers interesting trails in and out of a gorge and through some caves. I have not hiked this area under it's new ownership. I did hike it when it was known as Seven Caves though and loved it. There is an admission charge for this one.

Highlands Nature Sanctuary (Cave Canyon)
http://www.highlandssanctuary.org/Caves/Caves.htm

MattyD · #18 05/19/11, 01:14 PM

-When my Wife and I would stay at Hocking Hills, we always stayed at a cottage about 10-11 miles outside of Logan on Rt. 93. From there it was like 10 minutes to Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave or back into Logan. If you want an easy stroll, Ash Cave is great. It has a handicap accessible walkway starting at the parking area and ending just before the pool at the front of the cave. Walking back there is almost like going back into prehistoric times. Massive trees and ferns are everywhere. Wherever you end up going, you should have a nice time.

L8R,
Matt

fishhead · #19 05/19/11, 01:57 PM

This all sounds pretty good.

When it comes to snorkeling I usually do it in out of the way places like rivers or backwaters with lily pads. I wouldn't hesitate to hop into a waist deep stream if was clear and not too fast. There's more to see in those places if you don't mind having to shed weeds collected on your tube now and then. It sounds like the water is still a bit chilly.

seedspreader · #20 05/19/11, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

Lake Hope:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/par...4/Default.aspx

Hocking Hills:
http://www.hockinghills.com/

Old Man's Cave:
http://www.heartofhocking.com/Old_Mans_Cave.htm

Zaleski, this one has some lovely pictures:
http://www.backpackohio.com/zaleski.html

Zaleski State Forest home page:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/DNN/forests/z...1/Default.aspx

I had to laugh at the temp question too. I've got the heat on in the house. Todays high was somewhere around 65*F. It won't be until late July before the water temp gets to be close to 70*F in many places.

I've been to all these. Nice places.