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Hiking the Athens Trail Network
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
– John Muir
Just a fifteen minute walk from campus, one can access the Athens Trail Network from Sells Park, located at the end of Avon Lane across from the Athens Recreation Center on East State Street. The Athens Trail Network includes sixteen miles of trails on public lands. The latest addition is Hawk Woods which includes 85 acres of old-growth forest.
Sells Park, at the edge of Athens’ east side neighborhood, features a small pond with benches and parking, and it is an access point to the trail network. From Sells Park, a variety of hikes are available to you. You can take a thirty minute loop on the Athens Trail, using the Paw Paw Connector to loop back to the park via the Blue Ash Rockhouse Trail. Taking the White Ash or Blue Ash Rockhouse trails as connectors gives you an hour and a half hike at a leisurely pace. For a longer hike, you can also access many miles of hiking trails at Stroud’s Run Park by taking the Finger Rock Trail.
The thick forest of the Athens Trail Network includes very large tulip, poplar and oak trees. A small stream winds through the area, the banks of which in the spring feature ferns and wildflowers. The trails are well marked with color-coded blazes painted on trees. Narrow and steep in places, boots with ankle support are a must. A trekking pole is helpful, especially in the snow. Hiking just after a fresh snowfall will reveal to you the world of the animals that inhabit the area. Footprints of foxes, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, coyote and others cover the eastern half of the Athens Trail. Toss a copy of Richard P. Smith’s Animal Tracks and Signs of North America or Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking into your backpack to identify the animal prints and traces that you encounter.
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Burr Oak State Park
Nature is man's teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, illumes his mind, and purifies his heart; an influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence.
-Alfred Billings Street
Approximately 22 miles from campus sits Burr Oak State Park. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Burr Oak spans 2, 593 acres of lakes, hills, valleys, and forest. This park features a plethora of activities such as fishing, archery, golfing, tennis, hunting, picnicking, swimming, boating, sledding, ice fishing, and ice skating during the appropriate seasons. Unique to this park are a 60-room lodge and 30 cottages spread amongst the hills and a campground that includes toilet and shower access.
With 28 miles of hiking trails, including an 18-mile loop around the lake, hikers will be both challenged by the paths and awed by the picturesque view of wildflowers and looming trees. Patrons can stop to enjoy a secluded picnic or sit to rest in designated areas. Comprised mostly of hickories and oaks, the woods of Burr Oak State Park house a large population of white-tailed deer, box turtles, and wild turkeys. Waterfowls and beaver occupy the 664 acre-feet of water on the property.
Once a prosperous coal mining location, Burr Oak State Park is now an excellent escape from the hum-drum of college life. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a day, a weekend or a week of Ohio’s beautiful outdoors, this park offers activities that are sure to satisfy visitors no matter what the season.
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Hocking Hills
To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.
-Jane Austen
More than 350 million years ago, the sandstone rocks of Hocking Hills were deposited by a shallow inland ocean that covered the entire Ohio region. The continuous erosion of the Blackhand sandstone gave way to intricate caves that have been popular attractions for Ohioans since the 1870’s. The recesses and gorges of this park hold a fascinating history of inhabitants from 7,000 years ago with the ancient Adenas to the 1700’s when Indian tribes such as the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandot passed through the area. The tribes dubbed the now Hocking River as “Hockhocking” or “bottle river” due to the bottle-shaped valley the river creates. White pioneers began settling in the area in 1795, and in 1818 Hocking County was officially established. The state purchased its first section of land, Old Man’s Cave, in 1927 and by 1949 the Department of Natural Resources gained control of the Hocking Hills State Park area.
This park covers 2,356 acres of land perfect for camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, archery, and hiking among the many waterfalls and caves in Hocking Hills and the adjacent Hocking State Forest. One of the most popular hiking trails is the Grandma Gatewood Trail of the Upper Falls that connects Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave in a six-mile route. A few other enticing features of the park are Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House, and Cantwell Cliffs.
Named after Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived out his life in the rock recesses, the Old Man’s Cave area is divided into five main areas: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Old Man’s Creek surges down the gorge’s five areas as beautiful waterfalls. At the Middle Falls lies Old Man’s Cave, a vertical cliff measuring 75 feet above the water. Old Man’s Cave is the most popular attraction of Hocking Hills State Park.
If one were to continue downward from Old Man’s Cave to the Lower Falls, they would see the merging of Old Man’s Creek and Queer Creek. Cedar Falls--which was misnamed by early settlers because they thought the surrounding Hemlock trees were Cedars--is the largest and grandest waterfall in the Hocking Hills region.
The largest recess cave in Ohio is Ash Cave, located at the southern most tip of Hocking Hills. This horseshoe-shaped cave measures at 700 feet from one side to the other and 100 feet in depth with a 90 foot ceiling. One of the most impressive views of the park, the valley of Ash Cave sustains numerous wildflowers in all seasons such as jewelweed, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and trout lily.
Sand deltas of Ohio’s ancient ocean were buried, compacted, and slowly raised with the formation of the Appalachian Mountains creating the sandstone cliffs of Conkle’s Hollow. Towering approximately 200 feet above the bottom of the valley, Conkle’s Hollow features several waterfalls that stream down the gorge. The Lower Gorge hiking trail allows people of all abilities to explore what is considered one of the deepest gorges in Ohio.
Local stories describe Rock House Cave as an old haven for bootleggers and thieves thus explaining why it is often referred to as “Robbers Roost”. Rock House Cave is, in fact, the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park because of its tunnel-like quality. A unique feature of this cave is the Gothic style “window” that is comprised of fractures and cracks in the orange, red and brown colors of the sandstone.
Seventeen miles north of Old Man’s Cave lies Cantwell Cliffs. The deep valley and steep cliffs of the area were created by the erosion of the Blackhand by Buck Run. Cantwell Cliffs offers curvy trails and narrow pathways that lead to a breathtaking view of the cliff at Lookout Point. A little out of the way from the main park area, Cantwell is said to be one of the most scenic spots in Hocking Hills.
Enjoying the sights of Hocking Hills is easy due to its close proximity to campus (only 45 minutes) and overnight accommodations. Forty cottages, located near the resort, are complete with a community swimming pool, game room, and restaurants. Up to six people can stay in each cabin. Electric and non-electric camping sites and three Get-Away Camper Cabins are also available.
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Lake Hope State Park
Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.
- John Muir
Lake Hope State Park lies entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. It is a rugged, heavily forested region traversed by steep gorges and narrow ridges.
More than 25-miles of single-track bike trail wind through the forest. The trail was chosen as Ohio's top mountain bike trail by readers of "Mountain Bike Magazine". Athens Bicycle recommends several different routes on their website.
In addition to mountain biking, Lake Hope offers camping, canoe and kayak rental, fishing, cottage rentals, and 17 miles of hiking trails.
Although most of the forest was cut to fuel the iron smelting industry that once flourished in this region, the land has recovered and supports a second-growth forest. Oak and hickory are the dominant trees and the woodland floor harbors a fascinating assemblage of shrubs and wildflowers. The yellow lady's slipper, one of the rarest and most showy orchids, blooms in secluded hollows. Other spring wildflowers such as blue-eyed mary, bloodroot and wild geranium can be found in abundance.
Deer and wild turkeys are often seen in a number of park locations. Of the many animals inhabiting the park, none is as popular as the beaver. As nature's dam builders, the beavers are found in numbers and can be observed near the quiet inlets of the lake.
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The Ridges
It is not a choice of either the city or the countryside: both are essential, but today it is nature, beleaguered in the country, too scarce in the city, which has become precious...many people look to nature for meaning and order, peace and tranquility, introspection and stimulus. Many more look to nature and activity in the outdoors as the road to restoration and health.
-Ian McHarg, landscape architect, in Design with Nature, 1971.
Ohio University is the steward of over 700 acres of countryside known as The Ridges. Formerly part of the complex known originally as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, the land once supported the asylum’s dairy, orchards, park, lakes, greenhouse, kitchen gardens, piggery and herds of cattle. The buildings and grounds here formed a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital opened by the State of Ohio in 1874. In the nineteenth century the hospital offered “moral treatment”, which proposed to cure patients by offering them orderly routines, beautiful views of the countryside, exposure to the arts, and outdoor exercise. For much of the twentieth century custodial care became the norm, with nearly 2,000 patients in residence by the 1950’s. Following the movement known as deinstitutionalization of mental health care, in 1988 the property was transferred to Ohio University which is now preserving and renovating the property.
Today, The Ridges, five minutes from the Campus Green by car and 20 minutes on foot, offers miles of hiking trails. Here you will find old fields, forests, hilltop views, and all manner of flora and fauna. Take time to relax in nature, rejuvenate and get some great hiking exercise by walking these trails. The Cemetaries Nature Walk and the Radar Hill Walk are two hikes you can enjoy.
If you drive to The Ridges, you may park after 5 pm and on the weekends in any of the OU green or purple lots. You may also park any time along South Park Drive by the miniature golf course. The Ridges’ Kennedy Museum of Art is open on weekend afternoons and weekdays except Monday. The Kennedy features art exhibits as well as bathrooms and a water fountain.
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Strouds Run State Park
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
– Rachel Carson
Take a break from the bustle of campus and town, and visit Strouds Run State Park, which covers 2600 acres adjacent to Athens City. There you will find forests of the Appalachian Plateau featuring deep ravines, cathedral-like stands of white pines, and magnificent sycamores growing near running streams. The Park has fifteen miles of hiking trails, including a 6.8 mile loop around Dow Lake which has a 900 foot sand beach for swimming.
Strouds Run park also features camping, hunting, fishing, horseback trails and boating.
The hiking trails, which can also be accessed via a trek from Sells Park over a ridge and down a steep hill, are mapped in color. Some trails, especially sections around Dow Lake, are gentle, while others are quite steep. Bring a walking stick, water and endurance if you plan to enjoy one of the longer hikes; don’t forget to stop along the way to admire the views, listen to the birds, and perhaps spot deer.
To reach Stroud’s Run State Park by car, take N. Lancaster Street, which becomes Columbia Avenue. Continue on Columbia to the 33 overpass, where it now becomes CR 20. Take CR 20 two more miles to Strouds Run. For a detailed map see:
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Zaleski State Forest
I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.
- Henry David Thoreau
Spanning over 26,827 acres, Zaleski State Forest is the second largest forest in the state, behind Shawnee. Zaleski offers an abundance of outdoor activities for visitors including hiking, camping, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, biking, and over 50 miles of horseback riding. The park is a backpacker’s paradise. The Zaleski State Forest main backpacking trail travels 23.5 miles. The forest also has a 10-mile loop trail that is perfect for a longer day hike. The forest’s trails allow patrons to experience the unique scenic and historic aspects of the forest. Along one of the trails, is the area’s infamous Moonville Tunnel that is said to be haunted by a railway brakeman and a lavender lady who was supposedly struck and killed by a train. It is said that no matter the season, a faint smell of lavender can be smelled around the tunnel where the lady was killed.
The state forest also houses two wildlife management areas that provide habitat for the ruffled grouse and the wild turkey. Both of these areas are open to hunting. The Grouse Management Area contains the Atkinson Ridge Hunters camp that has sites available on a first come first serve basis. This area also has a rich history. It did not always sustain enough wildlife in which to hunt. In fact, in the early 1800’s, the area’s main industry was the production of iron ore. This ore production required furnaces fired by charcoal. However, in order for the charcoal to be made, large supplies of wood were required, which ultimately resulted in the large-scale removal of timber from the park’s hillsides. Then, in the late 1800’s, coal mining replaced iron ore production as the region’s main industry. Some of the small “drift” mines used for the coal mining can still be seen in the forest along the trails today. The coal mining caused acid mine drainage, which led to the degradation of the surrounding water quality. Fortunately, in the 1930’s, the Federal Government took notice of the problems that arose from the previous iron ore and coal mining productions and initiated many programs to revitalize the area. These efforts have made Zaleski State Forest what it is today, a thriving forest that both visitors and wildlife together can enjoy.
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