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The Nature Conservancy and
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources have preserved many areas in Adams
County, on account of their natural beauty and rare flora and fauna. Many
are open to the public and have hiking trails and interpretive maps. All
are within easy driving distance of Cave Hill Lodge.
Chapparal Prairie
The closest preserve is
Chapparal Prairie, which is on Hawk Hill Road about two miles from the
Lodge. It features a prairie remnant, with plants not ordinarily seen this
side of Kansas, including Little Bluestem, Rattlesnake Master and False
Blue Indigo. There is a .75 mile gentle groomed trail leading though the
prairie. Here is a picture of the prairie.
For more information, go to
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/location/dnap/chaparral_prairie/tabid/926/Default.aspx.
Directions: Go down Cave Hill Road to Hawk Hill Road, turn right,
travel about a mile and a half. The preserve is on the right. A good spot
to visit if you don't have much time.
Adams Lake Prairie
If you are interested in
prairie remnants, go to see Adams Lake Prairie, which is about 6 miles from
the Lodge, just outside West Union. It is a xeric prairie - very dry and
parched open fields. There are stands of Prairie Dock, Blazing Star and
bluets. Here is a picture of the Prairie Dock.
There is a gentle ¼ mile
trail. For more information, go to http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/location/dnap/adamslake/tabid/915/Default.aspx.
Directions: Go down Cave Hill Road, turn left on Hawk Hill, right on
Cross Road. Follow Cross Road to State Route 247, turn right. Turn left on
SR 125 in West Union, go through West Union, then left on SR 41. The
preserve is in Adams Lake State Park; the trailhead is at the end of the
paved road.
Davis Memorial
One of the most beautiful
and interesting State nature preserves is Davis Memorial. A stream runs
though high limestone cliffs. One of the cliffs reveals a geologic fault
where the strata have been displaced about 30 feet. Wildflowers adorn the
cliffs. Here is a picture of one of them.
There is a 2 mile trail
system with bridges, bulletin board, interpretive signs, boardwalk and
parking lot. The trail is a bit steep at the beginning, then flattens out
down by the creek. For more information, go to http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/location/dnap/davis/tabid/934/Default.aspx.
Directions: Left on Hawk Hill, right on Cross Road, left on SR 247,
right on SR 32. From the junction of State Rte 32 and State Rte 41 south of
Peebles, follow State Rte 32 approximately 1.2 miles east to Steam Furnace
Rd. Proceed south on Steam Furnace Rd .3 mile to Davis Memorial Rd. Go left
(east) on Davis Memorial Rd for 2.8 miles until reaching the parking lot on
the right. This is a bit of a drive, but well worth it for the walk along
the stream next to the cliffs.
Shoemaker Preserve
The newest nature preserve
in the county is Shoemaker Preserve. From the official description of the
site:
"The 22-acre site
protects several significant natural features including seven state-listed
plants. The rarities found at this Adams County preserve include heart-leaved
plantain (Plantago cordata), a state endangered species only known from
three other sites in Ohio.
"Not only botanically
significant, the site is geologically significant as well. It features two
natural arches, dolomite cliffs and slump blocks harboring several species
of ferns and other plants found in calcareous cliff communities.
"The preserve also
protects both banks of Cedar Fork for nearly a half mile. Cedar Fork is a
tributary of Scioto Brush Creek which is considered one of Ohio's most pristine
waterways."
Here's a picture of the Preserve.
There is a 1 ½ mile trail
along the creek. For more information, go to http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/location/dnap/Shoemaker/tabid/21440/Default.aspx.
Directions: Left on Hawk Hill, right on Cross Road, left on SR 247,
right on SR 32. From the junction of State Rte 32 and State Rte 41 south of
Peebles, follow State Route 41 north to Portsmouth Road. Take a right on
Portsmouth Rd., then a right on Pine Gap Road. The Preserve is at 165 Pine
Gap Road.
Edge of Appalachia
Preserve
The Nature Conservancy's
Edge of Appalachia Preserve has some of the best hikes and nature trails in
the State of Ohio.
For information and
directions, go to
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art145.html
Lynx Prairie
Lynx Prairie is a gem, with
a short trail and a wide variety of prairie plants. It is the oldest Nature
Conservancy Preserve in Ohio. It's about 15 miles from the Lodge. Here's a
picture of a Coneflower at the Preserve.
For information and
directions, go to http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art26009.html.
There is a trail map, including notes of points of interest on the trail,
at http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/files/lynx_prairie_trail_map.pdf.
The Wilderness
The Wilderness is a more
strenuous hike, but still rather easy. It is located across State Route 125
from Lynx Prairie, to the north of the road. Here's a picture of one of the
rockhouses.
For information and
directions go to http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art26010.html.
There is a trail map and extensive descriptions at http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/files/the_wildnerness_trail_map.pdf.
Buzzardroost Rock
Buzzardroost Rock is the
granddaddy of them all, sporting magnificent views and a traverse through a
variety of soil and vegetation types. The trail is long and is steep in
several parts, but the effort is well worth it when you get to the end.
Like Lynx Prairie and The Wilderness, it is about 15 miles from the Lodge.
Here are some pictures of the Preserve.
For information go to http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/edge_appalachia/buzzardroost_rock.asp.
For a trail map and points of interest along the trail, go to http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art26004.html
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Additional Information
Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/867/Default.aspx
Whipple State Nature
Preserve.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/location/dnap/whipple/tabid/913/Default.aspx
Johnson Ridge State Nature
Preserve.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/location/johnson_ridge/tabid/897/Default.aspx
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