Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve

Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve

Sugar Grove, Ohio

This week, The Moderately Active Ohioan went to Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve.  It is a fairly strenuous hike with lush growth and a beautiful natural setting.  It is home to the state listed Flame Azalea and the largest population of the Great Rhododendron in the state.  

It is located in Sugar Grove, Ohio, 2730 Pump Station Road.  It is unmarked, so I will tell you what you need to know to get there.  Turn onto Pump Station Road at the transfer station, go over the first little bridge and just on the other side, on the right, is a gravel parking lot.  Park in that parking lot and take the path along the fence to the entrance. 

Once again, there are no restroom facilities.  You have been warned.

My mother went along for the hike.  She has had two hip replacements but refuses to be slowed down by them.  She is healthy and wants to hike.  She did have some mild discomfort on some of the hikes we took last year.  This year, she made two adjustments that seem to have made this hike one of the best she has taken.  She switched from a cane to hiking poles and she tried out the Five Finger shoes she got for Christmas.  She had greatly reduced pain / discomfort and no leg cramping.  Doesn't she looks marvelous?  

The hike was beautiful and filled with many wonders.  This is an all season hike.  I could return again and again and see something different each time.

The blackhand sandstone formations are amazing.

The mountain laurel is past peek and will not last much longer.

Mom on the blue trail still looking good.  I am jealous.

I will be checking back in the next two to four weeks to see if the great rhododendron have started to bloom.  The normal bloom happens late June to early July.

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park

The parents and I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and hiked at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park.  Mom and I hiked the park last summer and were very pleased with it.  It was beautiful, colorful, and we thought that it would be a great place to go in the early spring.  We were correct.  The frequent stop areas do make this a great park to work off the winter legs and ease into a spring of activity.  

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park is a well maintained park managed by the Metro Parks system.  It has restroom facilities, picnic and shelter house areas, a playground, and a nature center.  The parking area is large and in great shape.

There are three separate trails.  There is the Ridge Trail, the Meadow Trail, and the Homesite Trail.  All of them are moderate to difficult to walk.  The trails are well maintained and wide.  It is a popular area for walking, hiking, and jogging.

We started hiking at the Ridge Trail.  We walked uphill for a short distance to the boardwalk.  The long boardwalk overlooks steep hillside and the remnants of chestnut trees.  It has education stops along the way.  We continued along the trail with stops at two more observation decks that give spectacular views of the forest.  I think that on a clear day you could see Columbus in the distance.

We came to a fork in the trail and decided to take the Homestead Trail.  The trail started at some old growth trees that were toppled during the recent storms of the last few years.  It is a nice place to take some pictures and talk.  The trail leads to the homestead location.  There you will find the remnants of the old family home, fruit trees, and gardens.  It is a nice place to take a break and relax.  After we passed this area, the trail starts downhill past meadows that will be beautiful in the spring.

We reach another fork in the trail and decide to head back toward the parking area.  We take the lower portion of the Meadow trail past some old growth forest.  If we had gone uphill on the Meadow Trail, we would have passed large meadow areas that will have wildflowers, birds, and hopefully butterflies in the spring.  I will return to that section of the trail when there is something other than brown.  I can't wait!

Chestnut Ridge Metro Park is a beautiful place to work off the winter legs.  Go and ease into your more moderately active summer.  The park has something that everybody of every age will enjoy.  Gather the family and make this a destination for a family get together.  Spend some time and take advantage of all that this park has to offer.
  

Shallenberger State Nature Preserve

Shallenberger State Nature Preserve

I am sitting with a glass of homemade concord grape wine and thinking about the wonderful weekend I had in Ohio.  The temperature was up.  The snow is melting.  My spirits are up.  I took the opportunity to visit Shallenberger State Nature Preserve.  My mission:  Search for Ohio's missing green.

Shallenberger SNP is located in Lancaster, OH, Fairfield County, on Becks Knob Road near the intersection with State Route 22.  It features Allen's Knob, a large Blackhand Sandstone formation rising approximately 240 feet above the surrounding area.  The area was formed by a large inland ocean and sculpted by weathering and glaciation.

For the Moderately Active Ohioan looking for a hiking opportunity, this is a nice place to visit.  The hike was moderately challenging.  My mother with two hip replacements was able to hike it without any issues.  The area was muddy from the recent snow thaw, but it does not appear to be a condition that will last long.  A few more dry days and it will be perfect.

It is a bit early, but I have been told that the spring wildflowers are excellent.  The view from the overlook is wonderful.  Not as spectacular as the view from Christmas Rocks SNP, but Shallenberger SNP is a better hike to start with and well worth the time.  Because of the mud, we decided to only hike the Allen's Knob portion of the trail.  There is another section, Ruble Knob.  I am going to put the Ruble Knob section onto my spring hike list.

Once again, there are no restroom facilities.  You have been warned.

The birds are returning to the area.  Bring your binoculars.  There is plenty of habitat to keep them happy.

I didn't get a picture, but I believe I saw an Eastern Bluebird darting in an out of the knot holes on this tree.

There are beautiful rock formations everywhere you walk.

The hike up the knob has been made a little easier.  Dad seemed happy with the steps.

Blackhand Sandstone

The Mountain Laurel will be beautiful.

The ground under our feet.

Chestnut Oak and Mountain Laurel cover the top of the knob.

Blackhand Sandstone

Blackhand Sandstone was quarried from the area.

A little fun with Dad.

We found the quarry area.  Dad wanted to see it before we left.  

The Blackhand Sandstone quarried from Allen's Knob was used to create some of the most beautiful and unique buildings in the area.  This included the one of a kind Stonewall Cemetery 1838-1839.  The stone was cut so perfectly that no mortar was used in the construction.  

More beauty everywhere I look.

Enjoy your hike at Shallenberger State Nature Preserve.  Green is on its way.