The entire family went to Conckles Hollow in Hocking Hills SP on March 25. The weather was mild. When we started the drive there, it was 30 degrees, and by the time we got home it had risen to about 45. Perfect weather for hiking.
Conkles is the lesser-known treat of Hocking Hills SP, lagging behind Old Man's Cave. Though I love OMC, the crowds turn me off. Conckles is just as nice and has almost no one there. When we arrived on that Friday morning, there were two other cars in the parking lot. When we left, there were two other cars in the parking lot.
We did both the Rim Trail (2.5 mile loop) and the Gorge Trail (1 mile out and back). We began with the Rim, deciding to go clockwise this time. To get up to the rim, we have to climb a lot of stairs, but once at the top, it's pretty level the whole way.
What was outstanding about the rim trail this time, apart from the fantastic view was the icicles. We could see them on the rock edges of the canyon, perhaps around a bend, and they were so long. And then as the day began warming up, we would be lucky enough to see a mass of them crash below. We got to witness that a few times.
At about the halfway point of the Rim, we came upon the lookout point and the waterfall. When we had gone last summer, the waterfall was all dried up. This time, we were lucky. It was a lovely view across the canyon, and entrancing to watch and hear the water falling.
The opposite side of the canyon had quite a bit of ice on the trail, and that could be a little scary at times. This side had more solid rock as the trail, and when it was a sheet of ice, it made us nervous about slipping. There are no guard rails on the edge, and it's at least a 200 foot drop. We walked very gingerly, and still, Cool Guy, Encyclopedia, and I each slipped once. We were joking that Burt was next, and he said he'd save it for a big fall.
Eventually, we arrived at stairs bringing us to the floor of the canyon again. We decided to do the Gorge Trail, which we had passed on last time here. This trail is concrete paved and is for the enjoyment of those in wheelchairs, baby strollers, etc. I thought it would be a boring walk, but it was wonderful.
First, there are all the microclimates. A jungle of ferns here, a cave there, a gathering of slump rocks over there. It was never the same look twice. Then we reached the back of the canyon where the concrete ended and the waterfall began. Oh, my. This was the highlight of the trip! Going beyond the sidewalk, onto the path that led us to the base of the waterfall, we were amidst rock overhangs, caves, ice sculptures. It was so neat to be in the semi gloom, feeling very cold, surrounded by ice and water, and then look backward and see a fern forest behind us, like looking at two different worlds.
The boys had the best time knocking down icicles. I mean, they were mesmerized for a very, very long time, just climbing among the rocks, finding icicles to knock down, and doing it again.
Burt was over at the foot of the waterfall and suddenly, he slipped. It was an ice sheet he was standing on, and he went down hard. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Yes, he was right, saving his fall for the grand finale. Pained a little, but OK. Nothing long lasting.
Cool Guy said it was the best hike ever, and Encyclopedia actually admitted to have a great time.
Conkles is the lesser-known treat of Hocking Hills SP, lagging behind Old Man's Cave. Though I love OMC, the crowds turn me off. Conckles is just as nice and has almost no one there. When we arrived on that Friday morning, there were two other cars in the parking lot. When we left, there were two other cars in the parking lot.
We did both the Rim Trail (2.5 mile loop) and the Gorge Trail (1 mile out and back). We began with the Rim, deciding to go clockwise this time. To get up to the rim, we have to climb a lot of stairs, but once at the top, it's pretty level the whole way.
What was outstanding about the rim trail this time, apart from the fantastic view was the icicles. We could see them on the rock edges of the canyon, perhaps around a bend, and they were so long. And then as the day began warming up, we would be lucky enough to see a mass of them crash below. We got to witness that a few times.
At about the halfway point of the Rim, we came upon the lookout point and the waterfall. When we had gone last summer, the waterfall was all dried up. This time, we were lucky. It was a lovely view across the canyon, and entrancing to watch and hear the water falling.
The opposite side of the canyon had quite a bit of ice on the trail, and that could be a little scary at times. This side had more solid rock as the trail, and when it was a sheet of ice, it made us nervous about slipping. There are no guard rails on the edge, and it's at least a 200 foot drop. We walked very gingerly, and still, Cool Guy, Encyclopedia, and I each slipped once. We were joking that Burt was next, and he said he'd save it for a big fall.
Eventually, we arrived at stairs bringing us to the floor of the canyon again. We decided to do the Gorge Trail, which we had passed on last time here. This trail is concrete paved and is for the enjoyment of those in wheelchairs, baby strollers, etc. I thought it would be a boring walk, but it was wonderful.
First, there are all the microclimates. A jungle of ferns here, a cave there, a gathering of slump rocks over there. It was never the same look twice. Then we reached the back of the canyon where the concrete ended and the waterfall began. Oh, my. This was the highlight of the trip! Going beyond the sidewalk, onto the path that led us to the base of the waterfall, we were amidst rock overhangs, caves, ice sculptures. It was so neat to be in the semi gloom, feeling very cold, surrounded by ice and water, and then look backward and see a fern forest behind us, like looking at two different worlds.
The boys had the best time knocking down icicles. I mean, they were mesmerized for a very, very long time, just climbing among the rocks, finding icicles to knock down, and doing it again.
Burt was over at the foot of the waterfall and suddenly, he slipped. It was an ice sheet he was standing on, and he went down hard. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Yes, he was right, saving his fall for the grand finale. Pained a little, but OK. Nothing long lasting.
Cool Guy said it was the best hike ever, and Encyclopedia actually admitted to have a great time.
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