Date: 04/01/2023 – Distance: 1.7 mi – Elapsed Time: 1.5 hr – Ascent: 288 ft – Descent: 314 ft – Difficulty: Medium
Rock House is a lesser-known area of Hocking Hills State Park. While it only features a couple miles of trails, its features pack a punch worth visiting. The main feature is a large 200 foot long cave perched on the side of a 150 foot cliff. The cave is large enough to enter and it’s quite impressive. There is also a waterfall there, as well as some amazing spring wildflowers.
It was a beautiful spring morning, but there was a threat of winds later in the afternoon. But we decided to go on a hike anyway.We went to Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park. We parked in the second lot.Map of the trails.Some history of the area.Vinca Vine near the trailhead.Wild Geranium?Shawna brought her dog, which are allowed here.It doesn’t take long to get to the cliffs.Be careful here, there are dangerous cliffs and delicate ecosystems.You descend some stairs to get down to the cave.Birch and Hemlock trees cling to the cliff edges.The cliffs are quite dramatic and colorful as well.A small arch, technically called a window.A larger arch.The cliffs are made up of sandstone.A waterfall, can you see the arch?It’s not a huge flowing stream.Wide angle shot. Notice Shawna on the left for size comparison.The cliffs where the cave is, are really cool.The cave is vast and dark.There are several openings or windows.This is one of the cooler windows.The colors in the sandstone are vibrant.The cave is 200 feet long.A wall keeps visitors safe at the far end.There is another waterfall beyond the end of the cave.Another cool window.The windows have good views of the forest outside.I believe there are around seven of these windows.Unfortunately people feel the need to leave their marks.A line of people descend the cliff outside the cave.The cliff is quite photogenic.A recent tree fell on this bridge.The bridge needs replaced, but you can proceed through the small ravine.The waterfall we saw from the cave earlier.This is the window at the end of the cave.Beyond the waterfall, the wildflowers appear. This is Hepatica.Spring Beauty.Rue Anemone.Trillium. I believe it’s the Large Flowered type, but it’s hard to tell until the bloom opens.Cutleaf Toothwort.Another Cutleaf Toothwort, but in bloom.Spring Beauty.The loop circles around above the cave.Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid.
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