The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has completed a four-year, $4.1 million redevelopment of hiking trails in the Old Man's Cave gorge at Hocking Hills State Park, one of Ohio's most scenic areas.
The project repaired extensive damage from a 1998 flash flood and made numerous improvements to a system of trails that attracts more than 2 million visitors each year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The gorge linking Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls is one of Ohio's great natural treasures and a centerpiece for tourism in the Hocking Hills region, said ODNR Director Sam Speck. By restoring and improving these trails, we ensure that generations of Ohioans and out-of-state visitors will be able to enjoy this unique and awe-inspiring place.
A devastating flash flood on January 7,1998 washed out most of the historic Old Man's Cave
Gorge Trail, undermining its three stone bridges and destroying seven wooden bridges in the process. ODNR authorized redevelopment of an improved trail system for the Old Man's Cave area - one designed to withstand future floods.
Improvements along the six-mile path include new trail surfaces; improved drainage; new concrete and stone retaining walls; boardwalk and wood stair replacements; additional signage; and major bridge renovations.
The extensive bridge work included the replacement of seven wooden bridges and the renovation of an eighth; construction of a "stepping stone" stream crossing; construction of a suspension bridge at Cedar Falls; renovation of two existing stone arch bridges; construction of two new stone-faced arch bridges; and relocation of a wooden bridge from the Lower Falls of Old Man's Cave to the Rose Lake dam spillway outlet on the Gorge Rim Trail.
A Columbus company, ms consultants, inc., began designing a new trail system in the spring of 1998. In November 2000, Cody Ziegler, Inc., of Reynoldsburg started the construction project to improve foot trails in the park, including three miles within the gorge and three miles on the gorge rim between the Upper Falls of Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls. Members of ODNR's Civilian Conservation Corps also played a significant role in the cleanup and restoration of the damaged trail system.
Throughout the four-year project, trail architects and engineers made great efforts to preserve the historic and aesthetic character of this legacy trail system, and at the same time, protect the natural setting for the benefit of present and future Ohioans.