Hiking with Doc

20200502 – Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve

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Date: 05/02/2020 – Distance: 6.7 mi – Elapsed Time: 3.75 hr – Ascent: 1079 ft – Descent: 1040 ft – Difficulty: Medium

Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve is 554 acres with two loop trails. It features rare wildflowers including wild orchids and some scenic cliffs, including a breathtaking overlook toward Hocking Hills from the top of Jacob’s Ladder.

Parking is just over a one lane bridge on Meister Road. There is also a small park there called Arney Park with a covered bridge. The trail head is about a mile walk down Oil Mill Hollow Road. There is no parking on Oil Mill Hollow Road.

Sign at the parking lot on Meister Road.
Walking down Oil Mill Hollow Road looking back.
There is a wetland along Oil Mill Hollow Road.
Fleabane
Ragwort
Antennaria
Sign at the Trailhead.
Map at the trailhead kiosk. First I hiked the orange loop. The trail goes sharply uphill from the main trail to the left.
Pink Lady Slipper Orchid just starting to bloom on the climb to Jacob’s Ladder.
Another Pink Lady Slipper.
This one is almost fully open.
After about a 200 foot climb you arrive at the top of Jacob’s Ladder for a breathtaking view toward Hocking Hills.
This is another orchid called Whorled Pogonia.
Large Flowered Trillium.
Jack in the Pulpit.
Yet another Orchid, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain.
Wild Geranium.
This was the best Pink Lady Slipper Orchid I saw.
A bunch of Whorled Pogonia Orchids clinging to a cliff.
There is a set of stairs which descend the cliff on the blue trail. Other than getting a view of the cliffs, there isn’t much down there. In fact it ends at private property and a dirt road. I hiked all the way to the end of the dirt road and this is the view.
These signs were along the dirt road, so I knew I was still on the edge of the preserve.
Jacob’s Ladder.
The cliff continues the full length of the road.
Tulip Poplar.
Silk worms.
Saxifrage.
Purple Woodsorrel
Another Orchid, Showy Orchis. Only about 2 inches tall, I almost missed it.
Showy Orchis
Cardamine
Poison Ivy.

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