Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park: Cobshell Trail (Blog Hike #36)

Trail: Cobshell Trail

Hike Location: Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park

Geographic Location: west side of Columbus, OH (39.89897,-83.21087)

Length: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: 1999, July 2016

Overview: An easy walk in metro Columbus along the banks of the scenic Big Darby Creek.

Park Information: http://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/battelle-darby-creek/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717274
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: On the west side of Columbus, take I-70 to SR 142 (exit 75).  Exit and go south.  Take SR 142 2.5 miles to US 40 and turn right on US 40.  Take US 40 1.5 miles to Darby Creek Dr.  Turn right on Darby Creek Dr.  The park entrance is 3 miles ahead on the right.  Park in the large parking lot near the grassy field on the left.

The hike: Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, a part of the Metropolitan Park District of Columbus, sits alongside Big Darby Creek, a state and national scenic river.  The creek's reputation is well-deserved, as it is very scenic and offers a peaceful spot for unwinding close to a major city.  The park was formed in 1945, and since then the land, with a little help to develop as nature intends, has grown into a very nice tract of forest and tallgrass prairie.  

            The park is very popular due to its location, the adjoining creek, and its many fine facilities, most of which are in the northern part of the park.  Facilities include a lodge, several picnic shelters, canoe access, and, of course, 9 miles of hiking trails.  Among these trails, the Cobshell Trail is the most popular due to its nice scenery, its short length, and its location near the picnic area and the lodge.

Cobshell Trail trailhead

            Start at the main parking area adjacent to the picnic area in the northern part of the park and look for where a blacktop trail goes towards woods on the right on the far end of the parking lot.  Follow this path, which turns into gravel as it enters the forest, which is of the oak/hickory variety with a dense understory.  The trail soon begins to descend steeply to Darby Creek and then turns to the right as the Indian Ridge Trail goes off to the left. 

Darby Creek

            Now at creek-level, the trail begins to follow the east bank of the creek.  This part of the creek is as wide as a small river and looks to be several feet deep.  There are several opportunities to stop by the creek and linger for a while, observing the water gently flowing down the creek.  Shortly after another trail exits to the right, the trail passes a nice wooden overlook of the creek, turns to the right, and begins to ascend some steps back to the picnic area for the only major climb of the hike.  At some times of the year, you can look to the left and see a wooden platform perched on the hillside some 30 feet above you.  This hike will visit this overlook shortly.

View from overlook

            After coming out at the picnic area, turn left on the paved trail and walk a short distance to another gravel trail that goes off to the left.  This trail takes you to the aforementioned overlook.  Turn left here, and in 0.1 miles come out at the wooden observation deck.  This lookout provides a nice view of the valley and the wooded hillside across the creek, as well as a couple of benches to rest your legs. When done here, retrace your steps back to the picnic area, then to your car in the adjacent parking lot to complete the hike.