20200223 – Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – Pleasant Valley Area
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Date: 02/23/2020 – Distance: 2.2 mi – Elapsed Time: 1.5 hr – Ascent: 121 ft – Descent: 86 ft – Difficulty: Easy
On my way back from Hillsboro Ohio, I stopped at the Pleasant Valley Area of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in Harrisburg just south of Columbus on US62.
The Big Darby Creek is one of the most diverse aquatic systems in Ohio. It’s waters are pristine, clear, and have over 38 different rare species of fish and mussels. It’s a beautiful river, great for fly fishing which I have done on a few occasions.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is one of the biggest Metro Parks in Columbus’ domain, and follows this watershed, and is made up of several areas. The Pleasant Valley Area is the southernmost section of the park and features a wetland area made up of several ponds.
The entrance to the park is on the north end of Harrisburg off US62. There is a parking area near the entrance, however if you drive back the gravel road, there is a larger parking area between the ponds.
There aren’t a lot of trails here, but it’s a beautiful wetland area.
Road leading to the parking area between the ponds.
I started out on the Edgewood Trail clockwise.
Past an intersecting cross trail called the Prairie Way Trail.
There are some small offshoot trails from the Edgewood Trail leading to the Big Darby Creek on the left.
And on the right is one of the ponds.
Big Darby Creek is beautiful.
The Edgewood Trail eventually curves slightly away from the creek.
Then comes to an intersection of the Lake Trail where the Edgewood Trail ends.
Now the markers are blue for the Lake Trail.
There’s some geese.
And a heron on a sunken tree branch.
The colors were beautiful.
Someone stole the life saving ring.
Rounding the second lake, the trail turns to an old prairie which is being allowed to reforest.
This is a feeder stream for the ponds.
Coming back around to US62.
At the main gate.
The trail shares the park road for a little bit.
Then goes right back to the ponds.
Opposite side of the pond along the creek was a bald eagle.
I watched him for awhile but this is the best picture I got.
Then he took flight, and flew right over my head.
Back at the parking lot.
The Lake Trail is a loop which goes between the ponds from the parking lot.
