Category: Guides

Here you’ll discover a collection of trip guides for a variety of Northeast Ohio recreation opportunities.

Rock ledges at Gorge Metro Park

Guide: Gorge Metro Park

February 26, 2017

The abnormally warm weather we experienced in Ohio called for a spontaneous hike last weekend, so my roommates and I packed into my Jeep for an day hike at Gorge Metro Park in Cuyahoga Falls.

The Gorge Metro Park has three trails: the Glens Trial, the Highbridge Trail and the Gorge Trail. We chose to hike the Gorge Trial, which takes you to Mary Campbell Cave, above the Cuyahoga River, through stunning ledges and past a small, drippy waterfall. It’s a 1.8 mile hike roundtrip, perfect for our afternoon adventure.

The Gorge Trail is the yellow blazes

It’s been a while since I went on a good hike, and I was reminded of a handful of hiking do’s and don’ts. Here are just a couple lessons learned at Gorge Metro Park.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Gorge Metro Park
DON’T wear Chacos

It’s February. It was 60+ degrees outside. The trail was exceptionally muddy. By the end of our hike, my feet were pretty gnarly. Enough said.

DO bring a nice camera

As I mentioned before, my roommates joined me on this hike and two of them were photography minors! All the photos in this post are from Ally and Emma. You should check out their Instagram accounts for more wonderful pictures: AD Productions and Emma Chu Photography. Needless to say,we have a lovely collection of pictures from our hike, including this one of me looking just like “the Snoop Dogg dog.”

Haley makes a funny face that looks like Snoop Dogg

 

DON’T forget to bring snacks

We left a little after lunch and hiked into the evening, so we were very hungry ladies! I almost always bring a granola bar or small snack but totally forgot to pack something for us that day. We were all a little hangry on our drive home.

DO have a good grip on your phone

This was probably the hardest lesson learned. The Gorge is full of beautiful rocks and ledges and although they’re made of soft sandstone, phones don’t stand a chance. I took out my iPhone 6 to snap a picture and proceeded to drop it on an exposed rock, shattering the screen. One week and $107 later I have a new screen, with a shatter resistant screen protector.

DON’T climb the rocks if you can’t easily get back down

If it’s hard to get up, it’ll be even harder getting back down. I climbed up into a cave which was super cool to see, but I definitely struggled with getting back down again. Thankfully I had my tall roommate as my spotter. Think before you climb!

Haley climbing into a cave Haley sitting in a cave

What to Wear

If you’re going on a spring hike like we did, I highly recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. We climbed all over everything so I was covered in sandstone, mud and moss when we left. As always, proper footwear is the most important part of a good hike. Tennis shoes, hiking boots and Chacos are all good choices to me. You’ll want something with extra traction for this hike, especially if you plan on exploring the ledges!

Dara, Ally and Haley's shoes

What to Bring

SNACKS. Like I said, we forgot to bring a trail treat which was a sad mistake. I also suggest bringing a water bottle, camera and phone, with a phone case and screen protector of course. Maybe bring a couple baby wipes too if you plan to play. My hands were very brown when we left.

Ally, Haley and Dara walk along the Gorge Trail
Haley laughs as she tries to balance between two rock slabs
On the count of three, kick your legs up!
She was so thrilled to throw the leaves in the air
Haley and Ally peek around the rocks for a photo
Ferns cling to the side of the rock
“I love us” is written between us
Water flows from a pipe and onto the rocks
Emma and Haley pause for a quick pic on the trial
Skiers and snowboarders sit on a trial at Brandywine

Guide: Brandywine Ski Resort

December 28, 2016

Winter has officially begun, which opens up a whole new world of outdoor play. Northeast Ohio has it all when it comes to winter activities including a surprising number of ski resorts. My favorite? Hands down: Brandywine Ski Resort in Peninsula.

Brandywine is located in the heart of CVNP, next to it’s companion hill, Boston Mills, just off Riverview Road. The park does a great job directing you to the slopes- I drive by at least three signs on my way in. Parking is free, but lift ticket and rental rates vary depending on your age, time of arrival and whether or not you bring your own gear. Brandywine also hosts special events throughout the season that could affect the price. If you’re a college student like myself, the best time to go is college ID night as lift tickets and rentals are only $35!

My favorite part about Brandywine, aside from their College Late Night deals, is that this resort is perfect for all types of skiers (and snowboarders!). On the trail map below, you’ll see Brandywine has three green trails, three blue trails and three black diamond trails. The resort also has two terrain parks and a snow tubing area, making it ideal for extreme thrill seekers, 8-year-olds and everyone in between.

A map of Brandywine's trails, reposted from bmbw.com
*Shared from bmbw.com
My Top Two Trails

I started skiing in 4th grade when I joined my elementary school’s ski club. However, I didn’t stick with it like some kids do and became more of a casual skier rather than a die-hard winter sports gal. I’m an intermediate skier- I nailed the french fries pizza pie rule but no flips or jumps for me- so naturally, my favorites are the blue trails.

Outer Limits

This trail sits toward the back of the hill and is the longest trail at Brandywine. The trail has some huge rollers on it, making Outer Limits a long, fun trip down the hill. It’s also a little more private and secluded than the other hills so the trail feels less “commercial” than the others at the resort. And of course, the longer ski lift is a nice break from skiing and offers a pretty view of CVNP.

 Downdraft

Downdraft is a step-up from Outer Limits and has some exciting features to it like a sharp left turn and trees lining both sides of the trail. It’s also steeper than Outer Limits and gets your adrenaline pumping on your way down. I usually hit this trail last after warming up on a couple green and blue trials. It leaves a great taste in my mouth, making me want to come back for more!

What to Wear

Haley and her two friends at BrandywineFirst, make sure you check the weather. Ohio winters bring both sub zero temps and 40+ degree days. That being said, I almost always dress in slightly less clothing than I normally would for a winter day. Remember that skiing and snowboarding is exercise, and there’s nothing worse, or more dangerous, than sweating in cold weather.

When I dress for a night on the slopes, I try my best not to wear any cotton. Cotton holds moisture like sweat and melted snow, which makes for a long, cold uncomfortable night of skiing. I start with a base layer of non-cotton leggings, Cuddl Duds long sleeve software shirt and wool socks. Then, depending on the weather, I’ll add another long sleeve and a pullover. For my outer layer, I slide on a pair of snow pants and either my down winter coat or light rain jacket. Last but not least are gloves and a knit ear warmer.

For shoes, I actually wear boat shoes. Brandywine’s equipment rental includes ski and snowboard boots, so I wear my boat shoes because they’re comfortable to drive in and easy to slip on and off. Regular snow boots work fine as well, but mine are way too bulky for me to wear for a short amount of time.

What to Bring

Money, chapstick, tissues and your college ID, if you go for College Late Night. For whatever reason, my nose always runs when I ski, so tissues are a must. Brandywine also has a lodge with snacks and drinks, so bring a little extra cash in case you get the munchies. I’d also suggest bringing a water bottle to drink for the drive home.

Arial view of Brandywine
*Shared from Boston Mills Brandywine Instagram account, @bmbv_av
Haley stands on the edge of a ledge wall

Guide: Virginia Kendall Ledges

September 30, 2016

The ledges trail is a moderate, 2.2 mile hike that takes about an hour and a half to complete. I don’t think I’ve ever finished it in that short of a time because I love to explore and meander while on this hike. I’m typically here for 2 to 2 and a half hours. Check out the National Parks Service trail map to see what the loop looks like.

As with almost all parks, the address can be a little tricky. The trailhead is at the Virginia Kendall Ledges Shelter off Kendall Park Rd. The tricky part is that if you’re coming from the West, the street is called Kendall Park Rd but if you’re coming from the East, it’s Truxell Rd. Free parking is available at the shelter. You can use an interactive Google map at the end of this post for some extra help.

The Ledges: Best Kept Secrets
Haley stands in the ice box caveThe Ice Box Cave

The ledges trail is littered with nooks and crannies between the rocks, but this cave takes the cake. The Ice Box Cave gets its name for the frigid cold air that rushes out from the 50 ft. deep crack. The cave is around the halfway point of trail, offering a perfect spot for a break on a hot summer day. When I was in high school, my friend and I were able to crawl back in it, but now the park closed it off to protect the bat population that lives in there. Here’s a taste of high-school Haley, circa 2011. You’re welcome.

The Scenic Overlook

Along with a great hike, the ledges also offer a beautiful overlook for visitors to enjoy. It stretches for miles and on a clear day, you can see a water tower way off in the distance. But the greatness doesn’t stop there- the overlook faces west, so cuddle up on a cozy blanket or tie your hammock between two trees to watch a gorgeous sunset.

Rock Carvings

Here’s a fun fact: before the ledges were part of the national park, a farmer, William Ritchie, owned them. Sometime in the late 1800s and early 1900s, someone went back into the ledges and carved petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the sides of the sandstone. Rumor has it that the artist chiseled headstones for a living. No one knows for sure who did it- it could have been Ritchie, one of his relatives or someone else entirely. See if you can find the two silhouettes and horse the anonymous artist carved! Be sure to share your pictures with me on Instagram or Twitter with #CelebrateCVNP.

a petroglyph of two silhouettes

 What to Wear

The right shoes are essential for a great hike. I’m prone to twisted ankles and this trail is pretty rocky, so I wear hiking boots or Chacos, both of which are supportive and protective. Tennis shoes will do as well, but definitely avoid flimsy flip flops! As far as your clothes go, any sort of athletic wear is great; I wore athletic shorts and a cotton tee for my most recent hike. I say wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and allows a little flexibility.

What to Bring

A water bottle, camera and maybe a snack is all you need for this calm hike. A hammock would be fun too if you want to find a spot to relax between two trees.