Hiking along the Buckeye Trail

Yesterday, Dave and I hiked the portion of the Buckeye Trail that runs between the rappelling area parking lot on Big Pine Rd. and Unger Rd. If you continue on, you reach Old Man's Cave. We stopped at Unger Rd. and turned around to go back. In total we hiked 5 miles.

The weather was beautiful with a very unseasonable 60 degree temperature. We saw only two other people on the trail. Except for rappellers, we rarely run into much "traffic" in this area. In this section, the Buckeye Trail is also a bridle trail for most of the distance. We saw no horses or even evidence of horses yesterday.

To start, park at the rappelling area parking lot on Big Pine Road. It's just a short distance past the entrance to Conkle's Hollow. Cross the road, and look for the Buckeye Trail blue blazes on trees. Cross the bridge over the creek, then turn left at the registration stand to start the trail. Just follow the blue blazes up the hill, past and through some really cool rock formations.  When you see a 3 sided horse tie, you're at the top.

Table Rock

Walk a little toward the horse tie, then turn around to look back and to the right. You should be able to see the Table Rock formation. Walk back a little toward where you exited the rocks, then turn left to continue on Buckeye Trail and along the top of the rappelling area. The trail needs some better marking because it is not clear where you should walk. By the way, this is not an area to bring little kids. In some places, the trail is close to the edge of the cliff.

State Forest replanting of logged area

Just keep going. Eventually the bridle trail splits off but you will rejoin it in a little while. After the trail turns away from the cliffs, it travels through a logged area that has been replanted with baby trees. Keep to the left and do not follow the logging road on the right. Although you will end up on Unger Road, it is not the Buckeye Trail. Unfortunately, this is exactly what we did! That logged area was disorienting.

As I mentioned, following this trail out and back is about 5 miles. There is a lot of uphill at the beginning but it is not a truly strenuous trail. It has some beautiful rock formations and a lovely hemlock forest. and it is seldom seen by most visitors to the Hocking Hills.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

The Cottage opens in July!

Last December, Dave and I had to cancel a vacation to Nashville so we could be home to close on the purchase of the 20 acre parcel that adjoins our Marsh Hollow property. The parcel included a cozy cedar-sided home that we thought would make a great addition to our lodging business. So we stayed home, completed the sale, then spent the winter and spring bringing "The Cottage" up to Marsh Hollow standards. And when I say "we" that includes John, our son-in-law, operations manager and heavy lifter in chief.

Our improvements: new HVAC, new water heater, new plumbing fixtures, new lighting, new flooring (although we kept the loft carpet for now), new stair railing inside, new steps and stair railing outside, new patio, new hot tub pad, and mostly new furniture. Oh, and a completely renovated upstairs deck.

Hopefully, Frontier Communications will install Internet/Wifi by June 21. We don't want to count our chickens before they're hatched, so we are not advertising The Cottage as "Internet available" til we've tested it with our own devices. We'll keep you posted on this important feature. In the meantime, there is an HDTV, bluetooth soundbar and Blu Ray player available. And a small collection of movies.

We are accepting bookings for July and on, but there's still a bit of painting to do, and a lot of groundskeeping. Currently, we do not have a well-cleared trail from The Cottage to our existing nature trail which connects to Shadyside and Pinewood Cabins. Working on it!

Mary at Marsh Hollow

Shadyside Haiku of High Praise

Marsh Hollow attracts the best and most talented guests. Recently, Debbie and Denny stayed with us at our beautiful Shadyside Cabin. Debbie was inspired to write a poem:

Shadyside Haiku of High Praise

 

Shadyside Cabin

Is a true woodland icon

A pristine retreat

 

Nestled by the creek

Offering peace & quiet

A haven for man

 

Hot tub bubbling near

Wood floors beneath your bare feet

Beams soaring o'erhead

 

Soft strains of music

Decorated in fine taste

Expertly designed

 

The place is perfect

My husband wants to live here

For eternity

 

I'll miss him.



Update on Old Man's Cave trail work

Yesterday, our Shadyside guests reminded us of the trail work going on at Old Man's Cave in the Hocking Hills. Here's an update from Ohio State Parks:

The first phase of the capital improvement project at Old Man’s Cave has been completed.

The upper falls accessible ramp and deck has been installed. It will take hikers from the existing accessible sidewalk down to the stone arch bridge spanning the upper falls region. The new ramp and deck will offer a safe view of the upper falls region for all of our visitors.

The second phase of the project will be the replacement of the wooden staircase that leads hikers down to the lower falls region. The new staircase will be a metal spiral design and will require the closure of this trail for approximately 3 weeks during construction.

The trail closure will include the portions of trail near the lower falls overlook, the long tunnel section, and the trail that leads down to lower falls, including closure of the short side trail to Broken Rock Falls.

A majority of the trail system at Old Man’s Cave will be unaffected by the closure and all of the most popular features will remain open including the upper falls, devil’s bathtub, Old Man’s Cave itself and the lower falls waterfall area.

Beginning the week of October 6, there may be daily, week-day closures of the main trail causing short-term hiking inconveniences but these will not impact weekend hiking. Also, hikers will still have access to all of the features of the trail.

The closed section is expected to reopen by mid-October. Signs will be posted at the closed areas to keep visitors at a safe distance in these work zones. ODNR will continue to post updates regarding the construction scheduling and closures as information is received. Please contact the park directly with any questions regarding the project; the park’s phone number is 740-385-6842.

Comfort Food in the Hocking Hills

The September 2014 issue of Country Living, the official publication of our electric company, South Central Power, includes a great article "Head for the hills! A foodie our of the Hocking Hills." Now don't get me wrong, Dave and I love the Inn at Cedar Falls, Glenlaurel Inn and the Grouse Nest for fine dining, and this same issue also devotes a separate article to them. But sometimes you want something a little more laid back and let's face it, less expensive.

The comfort food article lists some great local restaurants including Laurelville's Ridge Inn. Simply put The Ridge Inn know how to cook a good steak and surround it with delicious sides. The most welcome addition to the comfort food category is the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge. It's been under new management since last year and is now one of our favorite places to have a glass of wine and dinner. We've been to all of the restaurants mentioned but would like to add one more: The Home Tavern in Logan.  It's located near the Washboard Factory. Last time I was there, I had the country fried steak sandwich. They serve it smothered in gravy. Yum!

Read about all of these restaurants, except the Home Tavern at http://www.countryliving.coop/departments/head-hills/.

Happy dining!

Mary at Marsh Hollow

Temporary trail closures at Old Man's Cave, August - December 2014

From the ODNR Division of State Parks web site: A capital improvement project at Old Man’s Cave is slated to begin in mid to late August with a completion date of December 31, 2014. The project includes improvements to trail access at the Upper Falls area, replacement of the A-frame Bridge spanning the gorge and replacement of the wooden staircase that leads down to the Lower Falls region.

This project will require the temporary closure of the trail at these 3 locations at the Old Man’s Cave area. Work is being scheduled so that closure of all 3 sections will not be required at the same time. Signs will be posted at the closed areas to keep visitors at a safe distance in these work zones. ODNR will continue to post updates regarding the construction scheduling and closures as information is received. Please contact the park directly with any questions regarding the project; the park’s phone number is 740-385-6842.

Biking in the Hocking Hills

I planned to write this post for a recent guest, a lovely lady and avid biker (the non-motorized kind). Several years ago, I know I found a web site that described several bike routes along roads in the Hocking Hills. Personally, I wouldn't bike on our roads, too curvy, too hilly and cars going too fast. But there are many brave souls who do bike and might appreciate some guidance.

While I can't find that site anymore, the Inn at Cedar Falls has a very nice page that describes dedicated bikeways like the Hockhocking Adena Bikeways from Nelsonville to Athens, mountain biking trails at the Hocking Hills State Park, and finally, suggested road routes.

Check them out at http://innatcedarfalls.com/hocking-hills/cycling/.

Please be careful out there, bikers. Stay away from busy tourist times, have appropriate equipment for road riding, and obey all traffic rules and regulations. This is for you, Martha!