Hocking hills winter hike patch

Before Rowe, brothers Pat and Nathaniel Rayon used the cave as temporary shelter around while they built a cabin nearby. The trail continues to the beautiful Cedar Falls, and passes crystal-clear, spring-fed Rose Lake on the way. Cedar Falls plunges a dramatic 50 feet into a crystal pool. Here hikers can descend a staircase and view the tallest tree in Ohio, a towering hemlock that extends upward feet from the valley below. Cedar Falls is also the the mid-way point of the hike.

Here hungry hikers will enjoy a hearty lunch--steaming bean soup made the old-fashioned way in huge iron kettles, corn bread, and plenty of hot beverages.

As you continue on after lunch, the trail takes you right to Ash Cave, where the east fork of Queer Creek cascades in spectacular fashion over the rim to a pool below. This roomy recess served a stopover along the main trail that connected the West Virginia villages of the Shawnee Indians with their villages along the Scioto River at Chillicothe.

When you reach Ash Cave, you will have been walking for about five hours. At this point, park officials provide vehicles to drive you back to Old Man's Cave, although hardy hikers can certainly continue on the trail if they wish. If you are ready for refreshments, though, we should tell you that the last group of hikers were treated to doughnuts and hot drinks back at Old Man's Cave. Back at Old Man's Cave, hikers were also invited to sample sassafras tea brewed over an open kettle, and enjoyed a reenactment of a frontier encampment during the French and Indian War.

Bean soup and cornbread will be available at the half-way point of Cedar Falls. Masks are required for those using the shuttle buses back to the parking lot. Be sure to dress for the winter weather. Bring along ice cleats, hiking sticks, and warm clothes for your comfort. Ohio Department. Web Content Viewer. Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Menu Close.

Continuous starts from — AM. Layered clothing and good footwear are recommended. Refreshments are available at Cedar Falls for a donation. Donations are encouraged for refreshments. But bring some cash for donations for the Kiwanis Bean Soup and Cornbread at the halfway point, and at Ash Cave, the local Lions Club will have hot chocolate and doughnuts available. The park also sells Winter Hike patches. What to Wear: Bundle up. Stay Warm.

Wear a hat, coat, gloves, long underwear, and good hiking boots if it is cool. Invest in a pair of ice cleats. And do not buy a pair of boots the day before the hike.

Wear them in a while, or you will have more blisters than you can count! Watch the local weather for Logan, Ohio, zip code on the day of the hike to check for weather condition updates. The most popular Hocking Hills winter activity is the hiking trails available throughout the parks year-round. Winter is one of the best times to hit the trails and see the natural beauty of snowy caves and frozen waterfalls. If you are looking for classic family-friendly activities during your getaway, then we recommend spending a day ice skating or sledding.

Lake Logan is a favorite spot for ice skating, surrounded by scenic snowy forests. Lake Hope State Park is full of rolling hills that offer the perfect location for fast-paced sledding. Lake Logan is one of the best fishing lakes in Ohio. The acre lake is home to northern pike, bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.