Date: 01/08/2022 – Distance: 2.1 mi – Elapsed Time: 1.0 hr – Ascent: 157 ft – Descent: 125 ft – Difficulty: Easy
There’s a great view of the downtown Columbus skyline here. This is my eighth hike of the Columbus and Franklin Park Metro Parks Winter Hike Challenge. I have to do 6 assigned parks each month for 3 months, and a total of 18 to complete the challenge.
This is the only Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park that I haven’t been to yet, so this was a good opportunity to go check it out. Located on Whittier Street behind the Brewery District, Scioto Audubon Metro Park is 120 acres of open trails, climbing wall, dog park, and sport facilities along the Scioto River just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio.
I parked at the picnic shelters near the entrance, but there are more lots.
Here’s a map of the park.
Good educational display about litter.
This poor bird is encased in a plastic bag.
This park is wide open.
With a great view of downtown.
Many of the trails are paved here, but a few are gravel.
There is a workout course.
And a couple prairies.
Getting back on a paved trail.
I parked over by those picnic shelters.
Parking by the rock climbing wall.
Some kind of exercise game.
The climbing wall is impressive.
The handholds.
The water tower has two platforms.
There are a couple wetland areas here too.
From the second level of the water tower.
Looking up at the water tower.
It has a Metro Parks logo on it.
Leaving the rock wall, entering the wetlands. I will return to this intersection later and take this left trail.
The wetlands are not a bad size, but not huge.
There is a sand volleyball court.
The I71/I70/SR315 interchange over the Scioto River.
This trail is on the edge of the park and is also known as the Scioto Mile.
A little about wetlands.
I parked way over beyond the water tower.
Looks like a birds nest.
This is back over by the water tower, where I said I would return to.
More about wetlands.
Something has been exploring the frozen pond.
Nice little pond.
I’m not sure what this building is used for, but it’s called the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.
Arriving back at the shelters where I parked.
I had to make a stop at the best hot dog place in Columbus, Ohio. Dirty Franks is downtown on Fourth St.
