Following the Falls

Over the Back Fence Magazine | Spring 2001

In 1996, more than 1.2 million peo­ple visited Hocking County. Better known , as Hocking Hills, the area contains lush green forests, cascading waterfalls and deep rocky gorges.   Over 350 million'years ago, Blackhand sandstone was deposited as a delta from a warm shallow sea that once covered Ohio. Stream erosion over millions of years have created an awesome beauty and the falls of the Hocking Hills.

The towering Canada yew, yellow and black birch, and the eastern hemlocks give evidence of the cool climate period of 1 5,000 years ago when man first came to the area. The Delaware Indians, who named the Hocking River, due to its bottle-shaped pool by a waterfall, called the stream HockHocking, or Bottle River.

Famous scouts Simon Kenton, Simon Girty, George Rogers Clark and Michael Cresap have traveled up the Hocking River to the falls, to cut across the coun­ty to the Shawnee land near Circleville. Once Lord Dunmore commanded a flotilla of 100 canoes, keel boats, and pirogues (flat bottomed, two masted boats), all of which were left at the falls during the peace parley in 1774.

The falls region of Hocking Hills is made up of several small tributary creeks to the Hocking River.  With set­tings of spectacular scenery of cliffs and gorges, many of the minor falls can be found off the beaten path, while many others are still accessible and can be seen with little effort.   The easiest way to find access to the falls is to view them in the following order:

• Cedar Falls: Found off St. Rt. 347,
this is a well-known fall of the area, with a well-plodded path to the base of the gorge.   Here, coolness and deep shade confront the senses.  This is a popular attraction with a good half-mile walk.  There are newly constructed stairs and landings to take one directly there.   If stairs are not your thing-take the meandering path and bridges.

• Ash Cave, off of St. Rt. 56, is well marked.  This is an easy one and a definite must see. The path is a wide level, wheelchair friendly stroll. This is about a half mile, but on a sidewalk.   It is beautiful in its 90-foot drop, with a large overhanging cave where scheduled concerts are held.

• Liberty Hill Road Fall: Make a right turn from Ash Cave parking lot.   On the left you will find Amerine Road. This is a scenic drive with log cabins and lush green­ery.   Follow this road to a steep incline.  At the top, pull over and, within a few feet of the road, you will hear and see a small fall of about a ten-foot drop coming into East Fork Creek.

• Chapel Ridge Road Fall: Return to St.Rt. 56 and continue onward; Chapel Ridge Road is on the right. Follow this road up a steep incline where a gorge is seen.  At the top of this gorge, park and walk back to view this small fall.

• Chilicote Road Fall: Return to St. Rt. 56 until you get off on Chilicote Road. Within half a mile, the main road turns right where a smaller road joins in.  Take the right fork up a hill and you may view the fall on the left side.  This fall is a tributary lot and follow this road about two miles until you come to the Rock Climbing Rappelling parking lot. There is a good rock formation with a small waterfall here.  Again, it is a slight hike of about a quarter of a mile.  A small waterfall falls down a sheer cliff's face.    In this region, the falls are known as Big Spring Hollow, In-Between Hollow and Edison Hollow Falls on Pine Creek.

• Scott's Creek Falls: Continue on Big Pine Road to Blackjack Road.   On St. Rt. 664, you will see the Welcome Center. There, turn right on St. Rt. 33, then turn South on St. Rt. 93 towards McArthur. The falls are located approximately one-half mile past thf jecond curve in the road. This has about a 10-foot drop and is the largest falls in the coun­ty in volume of water.

• Natural Rockbridge Falls: Return to St. Rt. 33 and go north until you pass under St. Rt. 180.  You will see a sign saying Natural Rockbridge. This is an awe­some sight, but be warned that this is a hike of slightly over two miles (round trip). This is also a very hilly walk and not for the weak of heart.  The water cascades over a cliff's edge in a large divide of rock where a flat large stone forms a natural bridge.   (Be care­ful with children.  This can be danger­ous due to cliff face heights.)

There are eight notable waterfalls that can be viewed in Hocking Hills. These falls are highly dependent upon the area rainfall.  Late March and mid-April are the best viewing times, with the exception of win­ter. Tremendous stalagmites and stalactites of ice are impressive to see.

For more information, contact the Hocking Hills State Park at 740/353-6841 or check out the Hocking Hills Internet Guide at http://www.hock-inghills.com, where events, trail maps and lodging/camping areas can be found.   Request the free Hocking Hills Visitor's Guide and the Waterfalls and Wildflowers Tour brochure by Ed Fassig.  This gives detailed directions to 13 area waterfalls.