Tomorrow, January 15th is the Annual Winter
Hike at the Hocking Hills State Park.
It has become quite a popular event and thousands of
people will be coming into our small community to walk
the trails from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and on to
Ash Cave.
Last January there were 5, 417 hikers that walked the
trails and enjoyed the beautiful snow and ice covered
gorges and waterfalls.
It should be spectacular again this year with the six
inches of new snow on the ground and the cold temperatures
have frozen some beautiful ice formations.
Old Mans Cave Upper Falls
Hikers have the option to walk the three miles to
Cedar Falls where they can catch a shuttle bus
back to their cars parked at Old Mans Cave.
Or they can walk the whole trail to Ash Cave which is six and
a half miles. Shuttles will be there also to take them back to
their cars.
Rose Lake
On the hike From Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls
they will hike along the spillway at Rose Lake which
lies in between the two parks.
Cedar Falls
The trails in the gorge at Cedar Falls are so beautiful
this time of the year.
These pictures were taken in late December after our first
big snow of the winter.
Cedar Falls Trails along the Creek
It should be just as beautiful now for the hike tomorrow.
Cedar Falls Frozen Basin
Here at Cedar Falls, Bean Soup from giant kettles
and Cornbread will be served by the Kiwanis to warm up those cold hikers. Served also will be cups of Hot Chocolate.
It always smells and tastes better in the cold air.
There are always so many beautiful and large ice
formations along the trails at all of the parks.
Ash Cave Falls
From Cedar Falls onto Ash Cave…
The large falls at Ash Cave has a steady stream
in the winter which freezes into this giant frozen
column of ice at the base of the cave.
It is hard to get a picture that shows just how impressive
this column gets.
Ash Cave is a huge cave and can be beautiful this time
of the year but Cedar Falls is my favorite place for a winter
hike.
Also Hot Chocolate will be served for the hikers at
Ash Cave before they board the buses to shuttle them
back to Old Man’s Cave.
I well not be attending the hike since my daughter
and I hike here every week. I think there will be plenty
of people participating with out us. Besides the traffic
a past our houses will be bad enough.
I hope some of you will make plans to come to the
hike Saturday. We do depend upon our tourist in this
small community. If not tomorrow then maybe make a
note come and join in the winter hike next January.
I was glad to take you along on the Winter Hike with
me even if you cannot attend and I hope you
enjoyed a warmer version of the hike from your
homes. LOL!
Also at Ash Cave the tree may still be there that
was trimmed with pinecones covered in birdseed for
the Birds this Christmas.
Until Next Time,
Lona
34 comments:
Lona, this is a gorgeous place. It is so primitive and natural looking. I love the way the water turns into ice as it falls. Thanks for the hike!
Eileen
Thank you so much for the winter hike. It was a beautiful trip.
They don't have enough hot chocolate for me to brave that hike! Thanks for the tour, I didn't even get chilled, lol. Just beautiful!!
Hikers are going to be in for a real treat. It looks like a photographers paradise.
This was a wonderful tour to Cedar Falls. It is a place I would truly enjoy and a hike I would like to attend. The ice column is a pretty sight.
Your photos are really lovely.
Lona, the hike was immensely enjoyable and I didn't feel the cold one little bit! What a gorgeous walk. Does the formation at Ash Cave grow very tall throughout the winter. It seems it could possibly what with the water from above, unless, that is, it remains frozen throughout winter. What a beautiful area.
The pictures are stunning. Such beauty.
What a wonderful place for a hike. Stunning pictures of the ice formations. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you for taking me on the hike. The ice is just beautiful. What great photos.
Lona, I've said this before, but I'll say it again, Hocking Hills is one of THE most beautiful places we have seen! We were there almost two years ago in the fall and enjoyed our visit so much! We were in Ohio again this summer, but didn't get a chance to get there again, but I sure wanted to.
The ice formations are amazing, how beautiful. The hikers will have a wonderful day, I wish I could be there.
Thanks for taking me along on the armchair hike!
A co-worker and I were just talking today about how slippery it would be, and that scared me off from ever doing a winter hike. But your photos are so pretty that now I want to go! Maybe next year! And I love bean soup and cornbread too.
Wow that is soooooooooooooo beautiful!!!!!!
Looks like a beautiful park. Someday we may get there, it's probably a 6 hour drive from our town.
Looks like a fun and exciting walk. So many interesting view. I wish I can participate too.
Thank you for taking me on the virtual hike. Your pictures were beautiful. It looks an ideal place to visit at this time of year - and the hot chocolate sounds such a good idea :-)
What a wonderful hike! I love all the ice formations. Good for you to hike that every week, you must be in super shape. Thanks for taking us along.
Sounds like a fun hike. What a beautiful place. You are right, it is a little warmer inside than out on the trail...... Thanks for she tour!
What a gorgeous, gorgeous spot for a hike! I would have joined you in a heartbeat. But, I certainly enjoyed tagging along on the virtual tour.
What a beautiful place although I prefer the summer photos! :) Brrr....
Eileen: It is primitive and I love that about it so 5,000 people coming in just makes me cringe. LOL!
Patsy: You are welcome and you didn't even need your mittens.
Darla: What am I going to do with you all warm and southern like and loving it. LOL!
GISB: The whole park area is a photographers dream place. I think they are going to really enjoy it.
GardenWalk: I am so glad that your enjoyed the hike. Next time you venture into Ohio you will have to visit it.
Shirley: I am glad you had fun on the hike and just think no sore muscles either. LOL!
Debby: It is much more beautiful than my poor photographing can display here.
Jen: It is a natural beauty area with lots of rugged trails.Glad you dropped by for the hike.
Stella: Thanks bunches. I wish I could photograph it better myself. Glad you liked all that ice. LOL!
Karen: Thanks. Some people would not like all that rock and ice stuff probably but I think it is beautiful. You will have to make plans to visit it on your next trip.
Robin: I think they have it patrolled really well to keep people from slipping.The paths are usually fairly good but you would need to just take your time and wear boots with good tread.
Cindee: Well hello and so glad you are back and that you dropped by.Glad you enjoyed the hike!
Bonnie: It will be worth the trip to visit it even in the Summer and Fall.
MalayaGirl: I am glad to show you a little part of my neighborhood. Glad you liked the hike through it.
EasyGardener: Hot Chocolate is a must on a cold hike. LOL! It turned out to be a warmer day that expected so hopefully no one got frozen tootsies.LOL!
Janet: Believe it or not I feel better for hiking health wise but have not lost a pound hiking. LOL! Just not right is it?
Chris: I am so glad you liked my warm weather version of a winter hike. LOL!
Kate: Girl I know you would love it and you wouldn't need your snowshoes. LOL!
What an incredibly beautiful place to hike in the winter! I have never been on a winter hike but this certainly makes me contemplate one. Your photographs are terrific! I love the frozen falls and those ice formations are amazing!
That's a great idea to have an organized hike in the middle of winter. I would need to get myself some better boots if I were to participate. I think maybe that's half my problem with winter ~ not dressing appropriately/warm enough. I would pass on going too if I hiked there every week ~ it's sure to be much more peaceful when it's just you and your daughter. It's a gorgeous place tho and you took some great pictures.
Any sign of buds on last years Amaryllis yet?? I am still hoping they will bloom for you...
Lona, I am going to come down there at least one time during the winter so I can hike that place! Likely not this winter, but I really do want to do that! Soooo pretty! I never did blog about our trip to Hocking Hills from a couple of summers ago. It's such a beautiful place in every season. We've been there three times and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. Your photos are stunningly gorgeous!
Oh, yes, I have very much enjoyed this winter hike. (Sitting here in 70-degree Florida, thank you very much.) Seriously, those views are positively breathtaking! Love that column at the base of the falls! You are lucky to be able to hike it every week in solitude. I would think the crowds you described would detract from the beauty and peacefulness of those trails.
Wow, Lona, those are some awesome photos! I don't blame you for staying home when all those people will be there at the same time. That reminds me of the train show my daughter-in-law and I took her son to today. There were too many people to take good photos.
I am proud of you for braving the elements in the winter to hike there. Have you shown photos of your hikes in different seasons?
BEAUTIFUL!
Off topic but your image of an Iceberg rose prompts this question:
Do you have any experience growing Moondance roses?
Karin: When you are hiking you do not get as cold as you would think if you keep your warm boots and mittens on. The cold fresh air is refreshing if is not below 20 degrees.Thanks for dropping by!
Kathleen: Not buds yet so I have really given up. I will plant them out this summer and build up the bulbs and then try again.
Kylee: You will really have to come back down for a winter hike sometime. I know when you live so far away it is hard when the roads and weather is bad.
FloridaGirl: I am glad you liked the warmer version of the winter hike. LOL! I am so jealous that you have 70 degree weather girl!
Sue: I have pictures of all our hikes throughout the season or year on my other blog, "Natures Scenic View".
Maybelline: Afraid I do not have any experience with the Moondance roses. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you for the virtual tour, I enjoyed it very much. What a beautiful place, and those ice formations are amazing!
Now that's a hike I would love to do but before all of those people trampled on the lovely fresh snow. Plus there would be too many people trying to same the same photograph from the same spot.
How fortunate you are Lona to have such beauty on your doorstep. I would love to see sights like this for myself. It's been such a pleasure seeing your lovely photos.
Cold images, but stunningly beautiful. I love natural ice 'sculptures'...haven't seen any around here yet this winter.
Well, I can see how it has become so popular, it is gorgeous.
Love the icicles.
Thanks for taking me along.
Annelie
Amazing photos! What a lovely idea! I would need to give it a try if I lived close by. Jean
Those frozen waterfalls are so cool, I've never seen anything like them. I wish I could be one of the hikers to see it all in person. Then I would stop by your house afterwards to hang out with you! :)
Lona thank you for posting such beautiful pics of the hike...I was fortunate enough to live in the Hocking Hills area and I have never gotten tired of the winters ice formations in the caves. I often took "the walk" since my husband was a park ranger at this beautiful park. I have lived all over the state of Ohio and I truly think that Hocking Hills is the best kept secret! It is one of the prettiest places I have ever been in the Eastern U.S. Thank you for your post~ it was lovely and reminded me of the just how cold it was at the walk last year and what a gift nature provides us if we just take the time to enjoy it.
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