Date: 11/27/2020 – Distance: 7.2 mi – Elapsed Time: 3.5 hr – Ascent: 1017 ft – Descent: 1010 ft – Difficulty: Medium
The Virginia Kendall Area is a large section of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, about in the middle on the east side. It includes Ritchie Ledges, Kendall Lake, and Boston Run and has many of miles of trails. On this hike I explored the Kendall Lake Area. I parked at the Pine Hollow area on Quick Road. There is also lots of parking at the Kendall Lake Shelter on Truxell Road, and numerous other small parking areas throughout the area.
There are numerous sledding hills at the Pine Hollow area.
The Salt Run Trail starts west of the parking lot.
You can see the opening in the trees and a worn path to the trail from the parking lot.
The trail begins just beyond the treeline.
You can see why this is Pine Hollow.
The Salt Run ravine is pretty deep.
Lots of hardwood trees in addition to White Pine and Hemlock Pines.
This trail has a few steep climbs and some stairs.
Unfortunately it’s not often you see a Beech without vandalism/grafitti.
Trail continues straight but this right turn is a shortcut to the other side od the loop.
Privet.
Turkey Tail Fungus.
Sycamore seeds.
Interesting markings on this stone.
Salt Run.
More steps.
This trail is the other end of that shortcut from earlier. Go straight.
The bridge is a side stream of Salt Run.
The trail crosses this side stream multiple times.
And it’s very scenic here with steep hillsides and Hemlocks.
Something was marring this tree. Looks cat-like.
More White Pines.
Some blow-down.
Trail to the right goes back to where I started. Left is Kendall Lake.
Approaching the dam side of Kendall Lake.
Kendall Lake.
That is the Kendall Shelter on the other side.
Kendall Lake spillway.
I stood here for awhile, and took in the energy.
This north fork of the lake is silted.
And this is why, beavers.
Truxell Road entrance to the Shelter parking area.
The Civilian Conservation Corps did a lot for parks in the 1930s and put a quarter million Americans to work during the Great Depression.
Their efforts survive to this day including roads, shelters, and trails.
Maps of the area.
Kendall Lake Shelter.
The Lake Trail continues to the south of the shelter.
Hornets.
This intersection loops around the lake, however, I went left because I wanted to catch another trail.
This tunnel is the Lake Trail if I would have went right.
This is the other trail I was looking for.
The Cross Country Trail is wide and well maintained.
An old foundation.
The straight trail is not on the trail map. Cross Countrygoes Trail goes right here.
Wide open prairie.
The Cross Country Trail goes right, but I went left here.
This trail goes down the hill and connects to Little Meadow which leads to the Wetmore Area.
Coming back to the sledding hills.
The top of one of the sledding hills looking toward Pine Hollow parking where I started.
Same hilltop looking toward the lake.
Straight ahead is Ritchie Ledges in the far distance.
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