We went back the next day.
We did not finish the full hike yesterday, so we came back to Ash Cave at Hocking Hills State Park. It was 17°F, so this was a quick winter hike. We wanted to see if the waterfall had frozen enough to make ice.
Watch the full video on our YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@rollingwiththecurves
Why Ash Cave is special
Ash Cave is not a deep cave. It is a big rock “recess” (a huge overhang). It is about 700 feet wide. The waterfall is about 90 feet tall.
Yesterday it warmed up into the 40s. Last night it froze again. So we did not know what the ice would look like today.
What we saw on the trail
We saw big icicles high on the ridge. Some looked very tall. We also saw ice chunks that had already dropped near the falls. That is a reminder: do not stand under ice. It can fall without warning.
We kept the hike simple. We walked to the cave and turned around. This was an out-and-back hike.
Places that are closed now (and why)
Years ago, we used to climb under the ridge and explore. That area is closed now. It was closed because some people carved into the stone and spray painted it. The park also blocks off spots to keep people safe and to help nature grow back.
Big shout-out to Ohio State Parks for keeping places like this clean and safe.
The waterfall (and the ice cone starting)
When we reached the falls, we could see a small ice cone starting to form at the bottom. It was not huge yet, but it was starting. The sound of the water was amazing. We could listen to it all day.
We also saw the wedding platform near the falls. In summer, many weddings happen here. In winter, it feels quiet and wild.
Quick winter hike tips for Ash Cave
If you visit Ash Cave in winter, here are a few simple tips:
- Dress warm and plan for wind near the waterfall.
- Watch for ice on the path and slippery spots.
- Do not stand under icicles or frozen sheets of ice.
- Stay out of closed areas. They are closed for a reason.
Watch the full hike on YouTube
The blog can’t show the best part: the size of Ash Cave and the sound of the waterfall. The video does.
Watch the full Ash Cave winter hike video on Rolling with the Curves
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