Hocking Hills State Park
Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve
The second day of the weekend visit to Hocking Hills State Park was as clear and fairly warm as the first day. Be sure to see the last post for lots of background on the area- here’s more pictures.
The restaurant and recreation center was open on a limited schedule in the cold weather
We drove to Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve in the area:
Conkle’s Hollow is a gorge. Water slowly eroded away Blackhand Sandstone, creating the ravine. Sandstone is a very porous substance and much more susceptible to erosion than many other types of rocks. Cliffs, standing approximately two hundred feet in height, surround three sides of Conkle’s Hollow. Near the end of the ravine, the cliffs are only three hundred feet apart. Plant life, including hemlock and birch trees and various types of wildflowers, thrive in the gorge.
River Birch trees were fairly common near the entrance
I’ll let the signs speak for themselves- click on pictures for a larger size
As we enter the hollow, the slopes rise around us
Ferns of different varieties abound on the gorge floor
The sandstone cliffs rise up to 200 feet above us, a fairly rare thing in Ohio
The slopes are rugged and steep now
The hollow was humid due to the small stream and the cliffs boxing in the air
The hollow ends in a small waterfall area, just a trickle at the time
This hollow tree was a natural plant holder
The hollow got cold fast as the sunlight was blocked out by the steep cliffs
Back to the cabin
Nice to rest after a long day.
Part 3 is coming next week- stay tuned!
Seasons Flow 
Lovely shots from the trail.
We only saw one of the 2 trails there Pat- next time I go I’ll take the other one!
Beautiful; thank you. felt like I was on the trail, too!
Thank you, Catherine!
Magnificent! Looks like a very enjoyable trek. I agree with you’re adorable pooch, I bet it was nice to rest after such a journey. 🙂
It was quite enjoyable, E.C.- the friendly and happy dog is my brother’s, you won’t find a nicer pooch 🙂
Great time, thanks…
Thanks Jim!
More great shots! Definitely enough material for two posts!
And even a 3rd that’s coming up, Inger 🙂
Nice shots in what must have been a low light situation. Here in New hampshire the stones would be granite instead of sanstone but otherwise those pictures could have been taken here.
Indeed, although the sun was bright and the sky was clear, the hollow was so steep-walled that it was chilly and only half-lit when the sun went past mid-day. Being in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains was an unusual experience for someone who had grown up in flat farm country!
I love the mossy rocks and ferns. The tree “plant holder” was great. Thanks for sharing.
You can tell that these gorges are rather moist and shady with that foliage. I wonder what plant was growing out of the hollow tree? 🙂
I love places like that, cool and damp, maybe I was a mushroom in a previous life. Your photos so make me want to visit that area!
The Hocking Hills are definitely recommended, QSP! There’s lots and lots of cabins available for rent there too- an Ohio outdoorsman’s paradise!