Mountwood West Virginia, MTB

Crossing the Ohio River

Foggy hills of West Virginia

The remains of an oil man's mansion. In the 1820s it was built at a cost of $63,000 and had around 25 rooms.

Huge cistern for holding water

Fall colors

Heading back to Ohio

Mohican SP Trail, MTB

I ventured down to the Mohican State Park to see the best of what Ohio's mountain biking trails has to offer. It is claimed to be the best trail in the whole state and I am very fortunate to have it only an hour's drive from my house. The trail is an intimidating 24 miles long with significant elevation changes considering our location. Determined to experience the fullness of this trail's outdoor splendor, I rode away from the car expecting the trail to challenge me, and that it did. 5 1/2 hours later I barely made it back!

Such a long trail means a lot of pictures!

OMBA's Trail Guide Link

 These trees seem to tower over two hundred feet in to the air.

 Deep cut over grown draws give you a feel of just how old this place is.

 This picture below doesn't do the place justice. Here I had to stop because it was the biggest place I felt on the whole trail. The draw is so deep and the trees are so tall you really feel small and insignificant.

 These guys caught my eye and I nearly missed them. I have seen tree fungi before but never with such vivid coloring.

 Such a diverse area, the flora changes so much from one region of the trail to another.

 My trusty steed who I'm pleased to say performed flawlessly!

 Here, just passing the 11th mile marker would have to be nearly my favorite mile stretch. Well, there are so many to choose from, at least one of my fav's. Killer windy descent down to the covered bridge.

 The ferns are about waist high in certain parts.

 This part was great too, the dirt has that red pine needle tint for a few miles.

 Whew! Only 6 more miles to go...

 The moss is as soft and wet as a sponge. Feels almost like the NW rain forest region of the states.

 Not too many rocky sections, which I decided I'm glad for. A few sections were risky and I'll admit I had to get off and walk down more than a couple of em. Only the real scary ones of course ;-).

 I snapped this shot looking down the near vertical slope to the river about 200-300 feet below.

 Back down in the bottom of the valley on the last couple mile stretch.

 When I set off I knew it would be a physical endurance challenge but if it had been a few miles longer I don't know if I would have made it. The trail can be broken up in different sections and next time I think I'll pick only one at a time.

I can say that I was blown away with the enormity of the forest and when the hills fade away in to the trees you really get the feeling that you're in the mountains. There are so many things to do and explore aside from biking--camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking and more. Certainly the most beautiful place I've experienced here in Ohio yet. I can't wait to go back and I can't wait to take my family there!

Deep Lock Quarry

I took a short trip down to this quarry in the woods in the Cuyahoga NP the other day.

The tall trees cover this section of the Erie Canal Tow Path Trail. I believe they used to tow boats up the canal, which runs along side the trail, with cattle by ropes from this trail.

Nice shady hiking trails.

There were all these random mill stones strewn throughout the woods here.

Cuyahoga River

The large quarry they dug stones out of.

This is the deepest lock of nearly thirty which run along the path.

 

 

Now its quite the bullfrog habitat.

Whipps Ledges

Another short hike I took in the Cleveland Metropark System. This is found on the Hinckley Reservation just south of Cleveland.

There was this huge swing there. That would be fun.

A lot of climbers here as well. Not all of the parks allow climbing.

Another great outing where Ohio continued to surprise me with its natural beauty.