Date: 11/10/2019 – Distance: 6.3 mi – Elapsed Time: 4.0 hr – Ascent: 919 ft – Descent: 912 ft – Difficulty: Medium
The Ritchie Ledges is one of the most popular attractions in the Park, and rightfully so. The top of the oval shaped hill features a large picnic area and an incredible overlook looking toward Akron about 10 miles away. The hill is surrounded by cliffs and there is also a trail which follows along the base all the way around.
You can access it by either parking at the Ledges Shelter Parking, the Octagon Shelter Parking, or even the Boston Run Trailhead across from the Happy Days Lodge. I decided to park at the latter because I wanted to also hike the Haskell Run Trail to get to the Ledges Trail. After parking here, look for the trailhead kiosk on the SR 303 side of the parking lot.
Follow the stairs down which lead to a tunnel under SR 303.
On the other side of the tunnel you will come out at the entrance to the Happy Days Lodge. This is one of the largest Chestnut structures in the world. The wood was cut from all of the dead Chestnut trees in the 1930’s after they were wiped out by blight. It originally served as a camp for children, but now can be rented for events.
Before you start the Haskell Run Trail you should check out the old cemetery beside the Happy Days Lodge. The oldest death date I could find was 1835.
The Haskell Run Trail descends into a creek, then winds around before rising again toward the Ledges. It is a loop which ends up back on the other side of the Happy Days Lodge.
After climbing up the stairs our of the Haskell Run valley, you reach the Ledges Trail.
I went left on the Ledges Trail and soon came to a staircase which ascended through a break in the cliff. This staircase goes to the top where the Ledges shelter is.
I continued on the Ledges Trail as I wanted to see the rest of the cliffs.
There were some spaces where you could get through the rocks where there were open areas between the cliff and the slump rocks below. Some of them were quite large.
At the top of the stairs on the picture above there was a small opening which I had to get on my hands and knees to get through. On the other side was a narrow hallway with some carvings in the stone.
To get out of this hallway, I had to take my pack off to get through this opening.
I continued along the cliff, which seems to go on forever…
After the bridge above, I came to Ice Box Cave. The came is closed because it has endangered nesting bats.
The cliffs begin to dwindle before crossing a bridge at the opposite end of the oval where I started.
Beyond this bridge, the trail circles around to the right and comes our to a road which leads up to the Ledges Shelter at the top. I continued across the road and soon came to some restrooms (which were locked). Shortly beyond the restrooms is the Ledges Overlook.
From the overlook, the Ledges trail continues to the left, leading down and around the overlook and along the south side of the hill, where there are even more cliffs…
And they just keep on going…
Near the end of the loop around the ledges there is a short trail to a parking area and the Octagon Shelter.
Back on the Ledges Trail and just beyond the Octagon Shelter is some stairs to the top leading to the Ledges Shelter. I took a look and noticed a huge pine grove at the top.
I ended the Ledges back where I first encountered the stairs after arriving at the Ledges Trail from the Haskell Run Trail. I proceeded back to the steps on that trail then took a left to complete the Haskell Run Trail loop which ended back at the Happy Days Lodge.
The Ledges Trail makes a complete oval and is a little under 2 Miles with 90% of it along the base of cliffs. It is highly recommended.
Waypoints:
- Boston Run Trailhead Parking – N41° 13.914′ W81° 30.465′
- Ledges Shelter Parking – N41° 13.379′ W81° 30.623′
- Octagon Shelter Parking – N41° 13.573′ W81° 30.861′
- Happy Days Lodge – N41° 13.822′ W81° 30.525′
Links:
