Date: 11/13/2020 – Distance: 1.3 mi – Elapsed Time: 0.75 hr – Ascent: 308 ft – Descent: 207 ft – Difficulty: Easy
Wahkeena Nature Preserve, run by the Ohio History Connection, was closed most of the spring and summer due to COVID restrictions, but is finally reopened. This park is adjacent to Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve near Sugar Grove, Ohio. It’s a small park, but has some amazing cliffs and ton’s of spring and summer wildflowers, including 12 different varieties of orchids, 35 different ferns, 100 different birds, 35 different mammals, and 30 amphibians and reptiles. It’s a paradise packed into 150 acres. There is a nature center with many stuffed animals, a few living, including a large black snake rumored to be 30 years old with arthritis, and couple of injured raptors which they care for and are unable to release back into nature due to their injuries. The naturalist is full of information and their trail map features a self-guided tour of the park and some of the main features.
Entry into the park from the newly paved parking area.
There are some rules to follow.
Lake Odonata has lots of birds and some beavers too.
You can sit under the leaning rock, if you dare…
Map at the trailhead by the Nature Center. Trails are well marked though, but you will want to pickup the paper map so you can learn about the numbered markers along the trail.
This Barred Owl is blind in his left eye.
This Red-Shouldered Hawk was hit by a car and can’t fly anymore.
This is the work of beavers.
Looking at a small beaver dam from a blind.
The Shelter Trail leads deeper into the preserve along a creek.
Thanks to COVID, they had to make the trail one way.
There are some hemlocks along the creek.
The shelter is a quiet place to enjoy the woods.
There are cliffs in the distance surrounding this ravine.
On the Casa Burro Trail now. The cliffs are coming into view more, especially with the leaves down. Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve is on top of this cliff.
I’m not sure what this is, but kinda looks like Indian Cucumber.
Lots of hardwood.
And a few hollies.
The Casa Burro Trail brings you back around to the Nature Center.
That leaning rock came from this outcropping.
This weathering is very isolated on the rock face.
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