Our Recent Trip To Hocking Hills State Park

[Steve Valentine]

My wife, my son, and I spent the weekend of July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th up at Hocking Hills and had a blast. Most people from Ohio have heard of this place because of the awesome rock formations, rock shelters, and waterfalls like Old Mans Cave, Ash Cave, Rock House, Cedar Falls, Conkles Hollow, and Cantwell Cliffs. Even though the temps were very high and the humidity was horrible we still had a great time walking the trails and seeing the sites.

We went to Cedar Falls and Old Mans Cave on Friday after we got settled into our cabin and I had forgotten how much climbing you had to do to get back up out of these spots. Not easy on this ole man, but I made it through alright. Just a little winded. lol

Saturday we got up and went to Ash Cave and then we went to a huge antique mall on Rt 33 in Rockbridge. Lots of nice shops to looks at there and I even saw some decent artifacts, though they were priced to high for me to buy them. We hit a few other spots that evening and then got up early Sunday and drove home. A nice little getaway for the family.

Here are some pictures of some of the places we visited.

The first picture is of our cabin which way out in the middle of BFE near the town of Gore, Ohio. (who names their town Gore anyway?) The other are all while we were at Cedars Falls. That's my wife and son in front of the sign.

[Steve Valentine]

These are all of Old Mans Cave including the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. What really surprised me is they allow people to swim in the creek now right below the falls. They didn't allow that when I was going there back in the late 70's and early 80's doing a lot of hiking with my uncle.

[Steve Valentine]

Here's a few more pictures.

The first one was taken at Old Mans Cave and the rest are from Ash Cave. Ash Cave is huge and according to the sign there it was excavated years ago and quite a few artifacts were found there. I looked through the creeks and around in different places but I didn't even see any flint or fossils anywhere. The last two pictures are of some carvings in the sandstone at Ash Cave. Some of them were from the 1800's.

It had just stormed before we got there and that's why all the steamy looking photos. It was very misty back in there as the steam rose from the floor of the valley. Made for some cool photos though.

[ghost recon]

Thanks for the pics Steve, that place is killer. Reminds me of a spot in southeast WV that is way out in the middle of nowhere.


Surprised you didn't find anything worked looks like a great campsite for ancient man.

[Steve Valentine]

Originally Posted by ghost recon

Thanks for the pics Steve, that place is killer. Reminds me of a spot in southeast WV that is way out in the middle of nowhere.


Surprised you didn't find anything worked looks like a great campsite for ancient man.

There were signs all over talking about the artifacts and the Indian cultures that were in the area and in the huge Rock Shelters, but with thousands of people that visit there every year it really didn't surprise me I didn't find anything. There were people walking all over the creeks everywhere we went. Plus, with it being a State Park you really shouldn't be taking anything from there anyway, but I never saw the first Ranger that could actually stop you.

I did see some nice looking creeks and fields out north of Logan along Rt 93 and Rt 668 close to where our cabin was. I'm sure Gibby probably hunts up that way since he lives right in that area. Having my wife and son with me though I didn't have the time to stop and take a peek at any of them.

[FairfieldOH]

Thanks for sharing Steve. Looks like you and the family had a good time. We are hoping to go up next year so it's nice to see some pictures.

[silver lake]

Nice pictures, thanks.

[kirby]

That's a beautiful place. Looks like your family had a great time. No doubt it was inhabited for eons.

[paleo_joe]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

[Brian Higgins]

Awesome show Steve !!!!!!