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.
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Orange: Jacobs Ladder Trail. The “r” in the word Ladder is about the top of the formation.
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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.
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At this point the trail veers right into the woods.
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DSC_0066 looking back at the barn..
DSC_0067 Kiwanis building on the hill. Don’t know if it is still used or what.
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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.
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Getting ready to start the Jacobs ladder loop trail.
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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.
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Steepest part of trail. Stopped and took a break on the way up.
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The top of that rock formation is where we are headed. this is a typical Hocking Hills Blackhand sandstone outcropping.
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DSC_0102 Just about there…
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DSC_0114 The top… Yea……
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Then the clouds came in to make for a little drama.
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Read about Christmas Rocks at Moderately Active Ohio….. Time to head back down..
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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
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Coming down was a lot easier than going up.
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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
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2 comments:

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