This 1.8-mile trail circles a plateau of rock formations and cliffs. The trail is rocky and unpaved with an elevation change of 80 to 100 feet. Ice Box Cave is just off the trail but was inaccessible to protect the bats living there. Halfway around the trail, we came upon the Ledges Overlook which is a natural rock viewing platform with an opening in the trees which gave us a super view of the Cuyahoga Valley. Stepping down some large rock steps I almost stepped on a four-foot-long black rat snake nestled within the rocks.
We hiked most of this 1.4-mile loop trail around the falls gorge. The falls itself is 60 feet high with water flowing from Brandywine Creek, a major tributary of the Cuyahoga River. Due to the summerlong lack of rain, water flowed over only about 1/3 of the falls but as you can see by the photos, the falls is still beautiful and colorful. A boardwalk descended 80 steps for a close-up view of the falls. The ravine trail is thick with trees with an elevation change of 140 feet but was quite enjoyable listening to birds’ chirp and watching squirrels and chipmunks run about. After the hike we stopped at the Railroad Depot beside the canal lock at the village of Peninsula where the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Train stops.
Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly
Date: August 22, 2023
Driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we entered a scenic covered bridge. Stopping at the backside of the Dune Climb, we hiked a short trail that showed the summit of the large dune and the 1.5 additional miles of dunes and hills needed for hikers to reach the lake. Later at the Lake Michigan Overlook, a park worker sat under an umbrella with the sign saying $3,000 to rescue you if you descend the mammoth sand dune and need help or rescue coming back up. I wanted to descend to Lake Michigan and then climb back up this 450-foot dune, but we had granddaughter Elizabeth with us. The climb would take at least two hours. I did see at least five Amish people, both male and female, in full pants and long sleeve shirts, or dresses completing the last leg of their ascent on this hot day. Very impressive.
After hiking and touring the Boat Rescue Museum, we had a great dinner at Cherry Republic where I inhaled delicious chowder soup, fish tacos, a cherry beer and fresh chocolate covered cherries. We stopped by a fishing village that had a unique weathervane shaped like a northern pike. That night another outstanding sunset which Nick & Jacque enjoyed in a paddleboat.
Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly
Date: August 21, 2023
Within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we ascended this 1.7-mile wooded, hilly trail that occasionally had mushrooms just off the trail in the beech and maple tree forest. Nick carried Elizabeth at times and sometimes she walked. Near the summit it opened into a bright, sunny sky with periodic boardwalks along the bluff to an incredible overlook. Lake Michigan was 400 feet below. Looking north, we could see Pyramid Point, the sandy lakeshore, and South Bar Lake in the distance. Lots of beachgrass mixed with the sand along the bluff to thwart erosion.
After hiking we drove to Suttons Bay Ciders and bought a tasting flight of eight different ciders. All had different tastes especially the Spanish style cider Sidra-Lapeno that had quite the kick. That night another outstanding sunset over Lake Michigan. The water looked like it was ablaze.
Hiking Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly, Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly
Date: August 22, 2023
Within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this 2.4-mile trail began in the open grassland with beautiful wildflowers on each side. The trail became wooded and shady and ascended over a hundred feet until opening upon a beautiful bluff overlook. A sign warned hikers not to risk injury and rescue fees going down or the two hours to climb back up the several hundred-foot sandy cliffs. Still a few hikers disobeyed and headed down to the cool Lake Michigan waters far below. From the bluff overlook we had the best view of North & South Manitou Islands plus the lighthouse and lighted buoy in the middle channel.
I walked by myself a quarter mile south from Pyramid Point along Empire Bluff. The sandy trail was tight with tall grass, ferns and other green growth touching me on both sides. One slip and I would fall 50 to 70 feet down. Great views of the lake shore.
Outstanding sunset that night at the Jolli Lodge where we were staying.
Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Nick Kelly. Jacque Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly
Date: August 19-22, 2023
Located in Michigan’s lower peninsula, this national park was very diverse with miles of sand beaches, over 100 miles of hiking trails, lush forests, clear inland lakes, scalable high sand dunes and dark nighttime skies for stargazing. There were many fresh fruit and vegetable stands for blueberries, apple cider, cherries and apricots. We stayed four nights at the Jolli Lodge and drove to various beaches, hiking trails and sites. Evening sunsets at Lake Michigan looking west were spectacular.
We hiked a small bit of the Rend Trail above the New River then about a half mile on the Thurman Depot Trail. I posed on a locomotive before we hiked a quarter mile across a railroad bridge over the New River. Looking down through the railroad tracks to the river far below was unnerving to Rosie. The visitor center is an active Amtrak train station. A half dozen old buildings were farther on past the station. Back in 1910 at its peak, 75,000 passengers passed through this town train depot. Shipping coal from the surrounding coal fields was very lucrative. Today, Thurman has a population of three.
This rugged 4.6 trail follows an old road along the banks of the New River. Many short spur trails gave us easy access to the river and great views of both rapids and slow water sections. I saw remains of an old house above us on the trail and would like to return and explore it. Even with a buffer of trees between the trail and the river you could tell when you were hiking past rapids to the louder volume of water rushing by. At one opening in the trees, you could see a dozen rafts beached across the river which I recognized as a spot where they stop for lunch. We saw lots of daddy longlegs on the trail, a few butterflies and a second sighting of the two-legged owl.
This trail began just north of the New River Gorge Bridge. This 1.2-mile loop trail lead us through a rich forest and rhododendron thickets. It was a hot day, so the forest shade was welcomed. We came upon the most beautiful mushrooms I have ever seen. They were large, orange yellow in color and grew around the base of a tree. Later along the trail I spotted a two-legged owl which took my breath away. It was a fun hike.
After a delicious breakfast at the iconic Cathedral Café in tiny Fayetteville, we drove to the park and visited the visitor center and walking a bit to loosen up. We found the trailhead and descended the .3-mile steep trail which ended 178 steps down to a great overlook area of the New River, the gorge, and the New River Gorge Bridge. Looking far below, I could see the raft takeout area just before the bridge. I have white-water rafted this river three times previously and this was our takeout point.
