Date: 03/07/2023 – Distance: 7.3 mi – Elapsed Time: 5.75 hr – Ascent: 382 ft – Descent: 395 ft – Difficulty: Medium
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is one of my favorite places and is 1,125 acres in Yellow Springs, Ohio and was originally donated to Antioch College by Hugh Taylor Birch in 1929. The park is now owned by the Glen Helen Association, who manage the property and its programs. It is open to the public and has 15 miles of trails with to major tributaries of the Little Miami River, amazing wildflowers, mature trees, awesome dolomite cliffs, a couple waterfalls, and even a Raptor Center which rehabilitates all species of raptors in hopes of returning them to the wild. It shares a border with John Bryan State Park which is where I was camping.
It was a beautiful day for a hike. I started from my campsite in the back of the campground.You can exit the campground in the back corner, the site numbers are in the process of changing, but at this time it was #23.There is an outcropping of Snow Drops where SR 370 curves.To get to the back entrance of Glen Helen, you head west on SR 370 for a short distance.The back/south entrance to Glen Helen is marked by this gate.There are some rules.On the map, this brings you in by the School Forest.The trails are well kept here, but the markers have some developing to do, which they have been improving.Here’s a screenshot of the map from their website, which is pretty good. Notice the numbers at the intersections.The tall pines are called the Pine Forest on the map.Here are the signs at intersections along the trails. The number corresponds to the map.I was heading toward the north end of the park.This is a cool spot.#29 on the map.Trails go in three directions here. I headed downstreamThere is a cool cascade here.Finally down to the river along the Lower Birch Trail.The river is very scenic. It flows into the Litte Miami River at the south end of the park.This is an old swinging bridge, which no longer exists, along the Lower Birch Trail.Watch out for washouts along the trail. Notice the unstable edge. The sign denotes a project they are working on.Don’t throw your orange peels out. They take over two years to decompose, and they aren’t natural compost for the area, and may even contain harmful contaminates.Beautiful spot along Yellow Springs Creek.You could cross the river here, there is a trail on the other side.The cliffs are starting to come into view.Hepatica is one of the most beautiful early spring wildflowers.Another creek crossing. This one has stepping stones. The stones are not bad, but it helps to have trekking poles.Purple Cress.On the other side of the creek, the stairs lead to the Inman Trail (counter clockwise) and the Oak Triangle Trail.They are repairing the boardwalk which goes up to the Nature Center, and crosses the creek near the beaver dam, which was built a couple years back. Almost done.The other boardwalk continues along the Inman Trail. Another sign denotes another future project.This is what the beaver dam is doing.What is that? Pillar?Beavers can cut big trees down.This little side trail goes up to the pillar.Wow. It’s called Pompey’s Pillar.It has been sliding down from the cliff for many years.The best view is the back side.Back on the trail. This fence is protecting this large tree from beavers, which have started to chew at the bark.Lesser Celandine is a very invasive plat.This bridge is across a old dam.The Grotto.It’s downstream from the Yellow Spring and right at the east end of the bridge.I decided to cross the bridge to Yellow Springs.This bridge is over an a old dam.This “pillar” is near #3 on the map.I exited the park near map #2 to grab a couple brews at Yellow Springs Brewery.Yellow Springs, Ohio is a cool town.Just a few of the beers on tap and cool artwork. The Zoetic and Boat Show are two of my favorites.Back in the Glen, I decided to explore a trail, which I had never been on, so I entered near map #5. The trail ended and I decided to ford Yellow Springs creek to get to the other side.The cliffs on the other side are pretty cool and the trail follows the base.A little grotto.The trail brings you back to the Inman Trail year the “Yellow Spring”.This is the Yellow Spring, the water comes right out of the rocks and has an orange color on the rocks due to high iron content.It’s quite amazing to sit and watch.There are a few large rocks to sit on. The Inman Trail continues up the stairs to the right.Coming up on an old Hopewell Indian Mound.To preserve the mound, please don’t enter as even foot traffic erodes it.This is known as Helen’s Stone.Helen was Hugh Taylor Birch’s daughter, who owned the land before donating it to Antioch College in 1929.The Inman Trail continues down the stairs at this intersection.A little side trail takes you to The Cascades waterfall.It’s about 15 feet tall.I retreated back on the Inman Trail to the previous intersection and continued toward the top of the waterfall.The Cascades from the bridge.I was losing daylight, so I took the Fire Road Trail back toward the south entrance.Another look at the tall Pine Forest.Sun is setting.Sun setting over the School Forest right as I exited the park and returned to camp. So beautiful.
