Glen Helen Nature Preserve (Blog Hike #15)

Trails: (unnamed)

Hike Location: Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Geographic Location: east side of Yellow Springs, OH (39.8011,-83.88561)

Length: 3.7 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)

Date Hiked: 1998

Overview: A delightful walk through the Northern glen featuring a lovely waterfall.

Preserve Information: http://www.glenhelen.org/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717248
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Coming into Yellow Springs from the south on US 68, drive to Corry Street, which intersects US 68 at a traffic light just before a bridge and just after passing through downtown Yellow Springs.  Turn right on Corry St. and go a few blocks south to the nature center, which is on the left at 505 Corry St.

The hike: Glen Helen is a very beautiful place any time of year.  Combined with nearby John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge, the glen is probably the most scenic area in southwest Ohio.  As a result of the scenery and its location across the road from Antioch College, this preserve can get pretty crowded on weekends of nice weather when college is in session.  Thus, I suspect a cool summer day would be the best time to visit. 

            Starting from the nature center, head south along the top of the slope that forms the western side of the creek valley.  This path, the Talus Trail, is not difficult to follow, but it is rather rocky.  Several potential muddy patches are averted by strategically placed sticks and stones. This section of the walk is an enjoyable one, as you are surrounded by chunks of rock, very often on either side, and some small, white wildflowers in the spring.  Several hundred yards south of the nature center, make sure not to be sidetracked by an unkempt trail that goes off to the right and takes you out of the preserve and onto Grinnell Road.

Cliffs along trail, west side of Glen

            Eventually, the well-worn path you have been following makes a sharp left turn and begins following the creek north back to the nature center.  At this point, the Talus Trail becomes a lesser-worn path that continues south into a more remote part of the preserve. The trail continues to follow the creek, which is now rather shallow with rapids, through mature forest, crossing some tributaries along the way.  About 1.2 miles south of the nature center, the trail turns to the right and emerges onto the road, now right beside the creek. 

            Use the road's bridge to cross the creek.  Immediately on the other side of the bridge, catch a trail that goes up the east side of the creek, being careful while crossing the guard rail and descending the nearly vertical gravel bank.  Follow this trail a short distance to where it forks, then take the right fork to begin the Christmas Tree Trail.  This trail will take you up a steep hill to a field where baby pine trees are being cultivated for sale as Christmas trees by a local youth group.  Follow the right edge of this field as it takes you uphill. About half way up the hill, an opening will appear in the middle of the field.  Go through it, and shortly later you will come to another main trail of the preserve, this one at the top of the hill. 

View of creek from east cliffs

            Turn left on this trail and follow it as it curves around a nice, mature pine forest and comes to a T-intersection.  Turn right at this point, then take any of the next three trails that go off to the left.  All three lead downhill to the Upper Birch Creek Trail, which goes along the cliff that forms the eastern edge of the creek valley.

            Follow the top of the cliff, admiring your view of the valley and the opposing side.  This section of the hike makes a nice place to take photos.  Continue north along this trail until you come to a bridge that crosses high above the creek.  Cross this bridge, then turn left on the trail on the opposite side.  Follow this trail south along the western bank of the creek to The Cascades, a pretty waterfall surrounded by rocky cliffs.  The creek also features some serene pools and smaller waterfalls, as well as some nice views of the rocky cliff on the west side of the creek.

The Cascades

            When done viewing the waterfall, follow the Inman Trail back uphill to a hogsback that splits the two creek valleys, the one you saw from the nature preserve and its branch, the creek that featured The Cascades.  Finish the hike by continuing along this trail downhill to the other creek, crossing a footbridge, then climbing a long stone staircase back to the nature center and the adjacent parking lot.