Old Man's Cave
The most popular of all the Hocking areas is Old Man's Cave, located on State Route 664. Here at the Upper Falls, the Grandma Gatewood Trail begins its six-mile course connecting three of the park's areas: Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls to Ash Cave. This same trail has been designated as part of Ohio's Buckeye Trail as well as part of two national systems - the North Country Scenic Trail and America's Discovery Trail.
Old Man's Cave derives its name from the hermit Richard Rowe who lived in the large recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two dogs traveled through Ohio along the Scioto River in search of game. On one side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hocking Region. Rowe lived out his life in the area and is buried beneath the ledge of the main recess cave. Earlier residents of the cave were two brothers, Nathaniel and Pat Rayon, who came to the area in 1795. They built a permanent cabin 30 feet north of the cave entrance. Both brothers are buried in or near the cave. Their cabin was later dismantled and relocated on the nearby Iles farm to be used as a tobacco drying house.
The Old Man's Cave area can be divided into five principal sections found along the valley of Old Man's Creek. In order, they are: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Along the length of the trail the magnificent gorge cuts through the entire 150-foot thickness of the Blackhand sandstone. Carved by the creek, the gorge serves as an avenue for visitors to peer into the earth's subsurface. The full distance of the gorge is approximately one half mile. (http://www.hockinghills.com/parks/p_omc.htm)
I hope I cited that correctly.
This is called Sphinx Head.
Lower Falls
Upper Falls
Devil's Bathtub. According to local legend, the Indians used to push their enemies into this small pool. Nature shaped it so that nobody could ever escape from it.
Jason wanted to hike to Cedar Falls which was another 3 miles out and 3 miles back. By this time we had already hiked over 2 miles and I knew my poor legs would be sore the next day so we ended up driving. We didn't get to see Ash Cave or any other sites but now that we've been there Jason wants to go back and see the rest. I love that I get to show him new places. Hawaii is coming up fast. I'm starting to track air fares and look for houses to rent. We still aren't sure how many are going. Can't wait! As for my legs, OMG I'm glad I had two more days of vacation!




