Sharon Woods Gorge Trail, Revisited

So, apparently my posts are on a new schedule, occurring every 2.5 years or so!  Is life really THAT busy?  Yes, it is.  Since it is still January, I'll set an intention to hike and post at least once a month for the rest of the year.  Wish me luck!

Monday was a day off of school for the boys, so we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. day and the nice weather with a visit to Sharon Woods.  I came across this quote from Dr. King earlier that morning:  "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  As we walked in the winter sunshine and encountered multiple people (and dogs) happily walking the trails, viewing the waterfalls, tossing stones at the icy lake, and playing impromptu games of tag on the playgrounds - the feelings of light and love were all around.

But the kids had more on their mind, such as this:

And this:

Sharon Woods has two main entrances. (If you are using VZ Navigator on an Android phone, do not follow the directions taking you to the Swing Rd entrance, unless you are actually planning to hit the golf course).  Here is a map of the park from the Great Parks website.  We arrived at the Lebanon Rd/US Rt 42 entrance which takes you to the playground in the top photo, (above) and easy access to the Gorge trail.  You can also find the visitor's center here which has a wonderful indoor play area for kids as well as a nature display center.  But, that's for a colder day.

The other entrance to the park is on E. Kemper Rd and takes you to the playground in the bottom photo.  During the summer, it is also a splash-land for kids and is located near the boathouse which gives you access to the lake and options for boating and fishing.

Our day was meant for hiking and enjoying nature - at least in my mind, so we used the Gorge trail to "get from one playground to the other". This strategy worked!  Here we are enjoying nature:

Giant Sycamore

Child with Giant Sycamore

Sticks are Swords

Ready to defend against wild beasts

Now, let's hit the trail!  To me, the main feature of the Gorge trail is the stream which accompanies you the whole way and contains multiple water falls and great views.  Signs along the trail talk about the natural history of the region.  But, the first sign to look for is at the trail head.  From behind the playground, you cross a stone bridge over the stream and turn upstream. You will see the first of the falls as you walk a path along the roadway.

First Waterfall

 A little bit longer and the trail head sign will be on your right.  Here it is and here we go!

Trail head sign

Second Waterfall, partially frozen - Cool!

The trail follows the stream

Third Waterfall - way down

Bridge over the stream

The Gorge trail is 0.7 miles in length.  At the end, you come to a view of the lake. On this day, it was mostly ice and we tested it only by throwing stones. 

Can I ice skate, Mom?  No.

A paved trail circles the lake and we took a portion of it to get to the playground near the boathouse.  You can see there were many people out enjoying the day.

Multipurpose trail around the lake

Resting with a Saber

Our entire visit on this day lasted just over 2 hours.  Next time, I'll pack a light snack to have before our walk back downstream and back to our car.  There is a vending machine near the boathouse playground that I tried to use, but accidentally chose the number for Hot Tamales instead of Granola Bars - [if you found a free bag of Hot Tamales in the bottom of the vending machine on MLK day in 2015...you're welcome].

The Gorge trail is a pretty easy walk on a dirt and gravel path with beautiful views, and incentives playgrounds on each side to get the kids hiking.  There is plenty more to do at Sharon Woods as well.  I encourage you to check it out, ice, rain, or shine.  Happy Hiking!

  

Trail Tale: Blue Ash Nature Park

Recently we visited the Blue Ash public library since there was a Reference Only book in their holdings that I wanted to see.  Since we were already in the area, I took the opportunity to check out a new trail for the blog (and let the kids use up some energy before heading home).  The Blue Ash Nature Park was the perfect spot.  The trail was long enough to be interesting, but allowed plenty of time for the boys to play on the nearby playgrounds as well.


After parking the car, we found a trail map just off the parking lot.

We started our hike to the right where the trail begins to loop around the outside edge of the park.

In the picture above you can see signs with the usual park guidelines and on the left, one of several small, covered picnic shelters within the park.  After a short jaunt on the paved entry way, we found the trail head, again to the right.  

There was plenty of greenery to greet us on the wide gravel path.  I noticed a vine ground cover planted on the edges of the path, keeping weeds at bay, making for a more relaxing walk since I didn't have to watch so closely for poison ivy!  Soon, we came to a wooden bridge crossing a small stream--always a point of interest for the boys.

Across the bridge, the path changes to mulch and is still nicely maintained.  Next, we find a bench, one of Marshall's favorite things.  He shouts:  "Look, a bench, a bench!" and acts as if we've been walking for hours, when it's only been about 10 minutes.  

From here, we continue right again, even though the boys have spotted one of the playgrounds.  Somehow I coax them to keep hiking with promises to play at the end.  I'm sure I mention a cookie or something like that too.  While we are "discussing" the matter, I notice a pretty painted bird house on a nearby tree.

And at least two more, throughout the park:

If I had known these were around, it would have been a fun scavenger hunt to seek these little works of art during the hike.  


We continued along the trail.

There are a couple of small side paths from the main trail, but one led to an empty space along the main road (Reed Hartman Highway) and another to someone's home.  It is best to stay on the main trail.  At one of these, we paused long enough to find some pretty moss growing at the base of a tree.

The kids took time to touch, smell, and yes, taste this tiny little carpet of green.  I love it when they get a hands-on experience with nature!  It was a patch of coolness on the hot day.  A little more hiking and we finally came upon the PLAYGROUND!!!!!!!!

  
The two play areas below lie on either side of the path.

They share space with a large picnic shelter.

Can you say Birthday Party?  This is the perfect set-up, with restrooms close by.  This and other park shelters can be rented by residents or businesses within the city of Blue Ash only.  However, I'll bet anyone can use them if they are not reserved, especially during the week.  Contact the city's parks department to be sure.


On this day, only a couple other people were around, so the boys had the place  mostly to themselves...unless you count the cool green dinosaur hanging out by the play set:

If you continue past the playgrounds shown, you will come to the park's amphitheater.  It is here that free concerts in the park are held as well as other special, family friendly performances.

We continued our walk in the other direction, toward the restrooms and water fountains.  We located another reservable shelter:

and another, smaller playground where Miles practiced his climbing skills:

This is actually the area the boys spotted as we began our hike.  There are a couple small covered picnic shelters here, perfect for someone on a lunch break from work or a small, casual gathering.  


After playing, we completed the loop and found ourselves back in the parking lot.  We ventured down the other trail head a short way just to cross a bridge and view a water feature:

This is a man made structure that is possibly used to control water runoff from the recreation center and other buildings just beyond it.  That didn't stop M&M from tossing stones into the water.

If we had continued down this trail, it would have led to another shelter, play area and the amphitheater.  But, it was time to go!  The heat, the time, and our rumbling bellies said so.  Next time I'm in the Blue Ash area, I'll be sure to pack a picnic and visit this park again.  But maybe I'll follow in the footsteps of the other Mom I saw while visiting and bring a book to read while the kids play!

Fast Facts: Blue Ash Nature Park

4433 Cooper Road

Blue Ash, OH  45242
http://www.blueash.com/content/87/195/311/default.aspx#nature park



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Kids Will Like

• Multiple Play Areas
• Easy Hike
• Picnics

Good to Know

• Free Admission
• Paved Parking Lot
• Restroom Rating: B
• Water Fountain at Restroom
• Multiple Picnic Shelters--May be Reserved by Residents or Businesses of Blue Ash
• Amphitheater on Site with Free Summer Concerts

Synopsis
This is a great little weekday loop hike if you are in the area.  Shelters can be reserved by Blue Ash residents or businesses, so summer weekends may be too crowded for the first time visitor.  There are at least three playgrounds on-site and some small picnic shelters that make this a perfect spot for a lunchtime outing.  Free weekly concerts are held on summer evenings at the amphitheater in the park.    


Links
Concerts in the Park
Trail Map

Fast Facts: Sharon Woods

11450 Lebanon Road
Sharonville, OH  45241
http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/parks/sharonwoods.shtm


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Kids Will Like

• Playground
• Indoor Play Area and Nature Displays
• Outdoor Water Playground
• Boating on Sharon Lake
• Hikes Along the Gorge and Around the Lake
• 19th Century Village
• Special Events for Kids

Good to Know

• Admission: $3.00 daily or $10.00 for the year
• Small fees for Indoor Play Area, Water Park, or Boat Rental
• Heritage Village is Free for ages 4 and under (Small fees ages 5+)  
• Picnic Shelters Available for Reserve
• Snack Bar at Water Park
• Gift Shop at Visitor's Center
• Restrooms and Water Fountains Available
• Golf Course on Site

Synopsis

Sharon Woods is one of the large Hamilton County Parks which offers something for everyone:  nature, history, art, sports, and relaxation, togetherness, or alone time.  Our hike on the Gorge Trail featured waterfalls and educational signs to enhance our experience.  The paved trail around the lake is perfect for a good stroller workout.  The water park is a must-do summer activity for kids and the 19th century Heritage Village is an added attraction not found in most local parks.  The convenient location also makes this a definite go-to park throughout the year.

Links
Heritage Village Museum

Trail Tale: Sharon Woods, Gorge Trail

By the end of March in Cincinnati, the family is going stir crazy.  Not enough sun and very little signs that spring is around the corner.  To give Mother Nature a little encouragement, we all headed out for a hike on a gray, chilly Saturday at Sharon Woods in Sharonville.  We chose to take the Gorge Trail and walk along the creek.  Sharon Woods also has a multi-use paved trail which circles Sharon Lake.


We began at the trail's south entrance.  When arriving at the park from Route 42, take the first left.  There will be parking on your left near a picnic area.  To get to the trail head, cross the street and walk a few yards further down the road.  You will be greeted by a sign for the trail:

This end of the trail also closer to the visitor's center where you can find an indoor play area--a great place to go with pre-schoolers in the winter--a nature display area, restrooms, and a gift shop.  There is also a room which contains revolving nature-themed art exhibits.  Just outside the nature center is a play area and beyond that, the Heritage Village Living Museum.  Visit the park's website for more information.


Let's get to the trail!

The path is gravel and plenty wide.  Since it goes out and back, there are a lot of people and dogs to pass along the way.  Even on this chilly day, we encountered enough people and their pets to make it a friendly hike, but no so many that it felt crowded.  Shortly into the walk, you get a good look at the gorge on your right.  My younger son demonstrates the meaning of "gorge" as he gets a little too close to the edge!

In the beginning of the trail, it's important to keep an eye (and a hand) on small children.  Later, there are fences near the dangerous areas.  Just ahead, we encounter our first waterfall.

The boys and their Dad take some time to toss pebbles into the creek while I repeat "be careful, be careful" like a mantra.  There is a nice deck and bench for those who would rather contemplate the falls than to risk falling off the bank.

We venture on, further into the woods.  You can see the steep drop in the following picture:

Soon the trail moves away from the edge of the gorge and I find it's okay to exhale and start enjoying the hike.

There are several attractive informational signs created by the Hamilton County Park District along the way creating an added educational experience especially for older kids, like me.  Here is just one example, which discusses animals in the area during the Ice Age:

About half-way into the hike, the trail crosses the creek with a solid wooden bridge.

Here is a view of the creek from the middle of the bridge:

The next section of trail passes by a small portion of the 18-hole Sharon Woods Golf Course.  But my oldest, Marshall doesn't notice.  He is too busy balancing on logs from a fallen tree.

Next up is a neat-looking tree that contains three large trunks coming from the same root ball.

And, of course, it beckons to be climbed upon.

This would make a great spot to kick back and read a novel all day--in another lifetime, anyway... Just behind this tree, I spot my first sign that spring is indeed on it's way!  This may be the bud of a Buckeye tree, but I'm not a botanist, so I'd have to see it in bloom to know for sure.  What promise lies in this perfect little bud!  

Next, we come across another of the creek's Falls and Miles and I stop at the deck to admire them.

Marshall, however, is off and running through the woods!

The picture above is a good representation of how most of the trail appears.  If you look closely, you can see some green growing up from the matted brown leaves.  Most of the plants are wild onions.  


Only in the last leg of the trail do we find a slope with footholds to give us an extra workout.

Once at the top, we get a glimpse of Sharon Lake's waterfall as it empties into the creek beneath a pretty stone bridge.

The trail ends at the road across from the lake.  Watch for cars when crossing.  My kids had their eye on the lake and would have just run out into the road if we had not been aware!  

If you enter Sharon Woods from Kemper Road, you will be closer to the lake than the Visitor's Center and can reach the Gorge Trail by passing the large parking lot for the lake, then turning left.  There will be a small parking lot for the trail on your right.  You could also hop on the paved trail that circles the lake at this point.  A future post will be dedicated to the loop trail.  On this day, we gazed at the lake for a bit and then headed back the way we came.

We ended our day out at the park by driving over to Adventure Station, the indoor play area at Sharon Centre, where we also made use of the water fountains and restrooms and found warmth for our chilly bones. 

I look forward to returning to Sharon Woods to explore the Heritage Village.  In summer, this park has an outdoor water park for the kids near the lake.  It's also possible to rent pedal boats, rowboats, motor boats, pontoon boats, or canoes.  And if you like to fish, the boathouse offers supplies.  


Sharon Woods is one of the "Big Four" of the Hamilton County Parks, along with Miami Whitewater, Woodland Mound, and Winton Woods.  It's the kind of park that offers something for everyone.  It's big enough for family reunions, "stay"-cations, and day trips, yet close enough and small enough to visit often and spend just an hour or two at a time.  The two hours we spent hiking and playing inside was just the mini-break our family needed from long winter days spent indoors.