Hocking Hills

As far as one tank trips go, Hocking Hills is well worth the trip, with many things to see.  Hocking Hills is located in Logan, Ohio on State Route 664 South.  It is easily assessable from any area in Ohio from North to South.  The best thing about it, is that it wont cost you any more than a tank of gas and you and your family can enjoy the beaty of nature together.  Grab a cooler of soda and a picnic basket and leave the busy world behind and visit Hocking Hills.

The most popular of all the Hocking areas is Old Man's Cave, located on State Route 664. Here at the Upper Falls, the Grandma Gatewood Trail begins its six-mile course connecting three of the park's areas: Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls to Ash Cave. This same trail has been designated as part of Ohio's Buckeye Trail as well as part of two national systems - the North Country Scenic Trail and America's Discovery Trail. This is the area that I visited; the trail was a fairly easy hike passing through the Old man’s cave, through beautiful scenery of trees, rock formations, and numerous falls.  However; to witness the true beauty of the falls flowing you need to visit before the dry season.  I am so glad we went early April so we could witness the true power of the falls.

Upper Falls

Lower Falls

Cedar Falls

A little bit of history about Old Man’s Cave is as follows: Old Man's Cave derives its name from the hermit Richard Rowe who lived in the large recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two dogs traveled through Ohio along the Scioto River in search of game. On one side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hocking Region. Rowe lived out his life in the area and is buried beneath the ledge of the main recess cave. Earlier residents of the cave were two brothers, Nathaniel and Pat Rayon, who came to the area in 1795. They built a permanent cabin 30 feet north of the cave entrance. Both brothers are buried in or near the cave. Their cabin was later dismantled and relocated on the nearby Iles farm to be used as a tobacco drying house. To read more please visit the web site at: pagehttp://www.hockinghills.com/old_mans_cave.html

Other areas of interest include:  Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls which can be seen along the Gatewood trail from Old Man’s Cave, Clear Creek, Conkles Hollow, Lake Hope, Lake Logan, Rock Bridge, Rock House, Tar Hollow, and Wayne National Park.

I highly recommend this one tank trip, so make a day of it and visit Hocking Hills this weekend. I have made a walk through video of Hocking Hills and it can be seen at:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/?id=1250724254

Suzie