Thursday, January 05, 2017

Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve & the Jacobs Ladder Trail

MQTlogoa Another virtual hike at “My Quality Time.”

Middle top of Google earth view: The most spectacular feature at Christmas Rocks is the scenic vista from the top of the formation known as Jacob’s Ladder.
DSC_0050
Orange: Jacobs Ladder Trail. The “r” in the word Ladder is about the top of the formation.
DSC_0042DSC_0044
 DSC_0045DSC_0055
Start of the trail. The southerly loop has one climb called climbing Jacobs Ladder. It is not for the faint of heart but is worth the climb. The top holds a wonderful view of the entire valley. The entrance to Christmas Rocks is along a gravel access road.
DSC_0056DSC_0058
DSC_0059DSC_0060
DSC_0062DSC_0063
At this point the trail veers right into the woods.
DSC_0064DSC_0065
DSC_0066 looking back at the barn..
DSC_0067 Kiwanis building on the hill. Don’t know if it is still used or what.
DSC_0068 DSC_0073
DSC_0069
Above photo: Arney Run is in the Streams category for Fairfield County in the state of Ohio. Arney Run is displayed on the Clearport USGS quad topo map. The approximate elevation is 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level.
DSC_0074DSC_0075
DSC_0080DSC_0081
Getting ready to start the Jacobs ladder loop trail.
DSC_0090
The Jacobs Ladder rock formation sits about 200 feet above Arney Run. I would guess the rock formation itself is 60 to 70 feet tall.
DSC_0091 DSC_0093
DSC_0094DSC_0095
Steepest part of trail. Stopped and took a break on the way up.
DSC_0100
The top of that rock formation is where we are headed. this is a typical Hocking Hills Blackhand sandstone outcropping.
Bookmark and Share

DSC_0102 Just about there…
DSC_0113
DSC_0114 The top… Yea……
DSC_0115
DSC_0117DSC_0120
DSC_0122
Then the clouds came in to make for a little drama.
DSC_0110DSC_0111
DSC_0123
Read about Christmas Rocks at Moderately Active Ohio….. Time to head back down..
Bookmark and Share

DSC_0126
DSC_0127DSC_0128
DSC_0130
DSC_0131
DSC_0140
Some top hikes in Ohio:
1. The 2-mile loop at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown
2. Lamping Homestead Trail in Graysville
3. Ash Cave at Hocking Hills State Park
4. Gorge Trail Metropark in Cuyahoga Falls
5. Lake Trail at Clear Creek Metropark in Franklin County
6. Monroe Overlook Trail at Wayne National Forest
7. Quail Hollow State Park Trail in Hartville
8. Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve in Lancaster
DSC_0146
Coming down was a lot easier than going up.
DSC_0141
DSC_0142DSC_0147DSC_0144
DSC_0150DSC_0156
Heading back to the truck and heading home. Was a great hike. The temp was mid 40’s and I didn’t meet another sole on the trail.
DSC_0163 The sun comes out when the hike is over… Go figure………..
jtf1 Not to bad for an “old man”
Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve & the Jacobs Ladder Trail
Bookmark and Share








3 comments:

Linda G. said...

At first I thought this would be a driving hike, which I would have liked. Nice view from up there and very good pictures.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It looks like a great hike -- I was wondering why it is called Christmas Rocks -- went to the link for Moderately Active Ohio (great blog title) but it was about something else.

Joe Todd said...

Sallie sorry about the incorrect link. should have been:: http://moderatelyactiveohio.blogspot.com/2014/02/christmas-rocks-state-nature-preserve.html