Holiday Gifts

Special Features - Woods. Spring Wildflowers. Summer Wildflowers. Geologic Features. Bird Watching. State listed flame azalea. Likely largest native population of great rhododendron in Ohio. Facilities - Parking lot. 1.2 mile trail, remain on marked trail at all times.

The preserve provides a rather strenuous hike to the top of the dry ridge line with a view of the Hocking River Valley to the east. This dry ridge forms a horseshoe shape, supporting a significant chestnut oak community with Virginia and pitch pine, sourwood and a well-developed heath layer of mountain laurel, blueberry, deer berry, and state listed flame azalea. The cooler north facing slopes below the cliff lines form an environment better suited to eastern hemlock, black birch and another state listed member of the heath family - the great rhododendron. This is likely the home of the largest native population of this native rhododendron in Ohio. Peak blooming is typically during late June and early July.