Mt. Airy Forest: Ponderosa/Furnas Loop (Blog Hike #59)

Trails: Ponderosa, Furnas, Twin Bridge, and Red Oak Trails

Hike Location: Mt. Airy Forest

Geographic Location: northwest side of Cincinnati, OH (39.16662, -84.56947)

Length: 3.9 miles (but see the update comment at the end of this post)

Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)

Dates Hiked: February 2000, May 2019

Overview: A moderately difficult course over the steep ridges of Cincinnati.

Park Information: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/mt-airy-forest/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717287
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Cincinnati, take I-75 north to I-74, then go west on I-74.  Take I-74 to Colerain Avenue (exit 18).  Exit and turn left.  Take Colerain Ave. about 1.3 miles to the forest entrance on the left.  Turn left here, then bear left at the first intersection onto Trail Ridge Rd.  Take Trail Ridge Rd. 0.9 miles to picnic area #21 on the right.  Park in the adjacent lot.

The hike: Covering over 400 acres, Mt. Airy Forest consists of a complex set of steep ridges and ravines that comprise one of the seven hills of Cincinnati. The forest, operated by the city of Cincinnati, boasts an arboretum, 3 lodges, 33 picnic areas, and 12 hiking trails including a 12 mile scout trail.  Those of us who live in Cincinnati are extremely fortunate to have such a large natural area only 4 miles from downtown. 

            The extensive trail system is worth hiking for the wildflowers in the spring, birds in the summer, leaves in the fall, and scenic views in the winter. The best of these trails is the 3-mile (each way) Ponderosa Trail, part of which is combined with several others to form this scenic 3.9 mile hike.

Ponderosa Trail entrance near Picnic Area #21

            Start by walking south on the forest road.  About 20 yards south of the parking lot is a sign stating "Ponderosa Trail" with an arrow pointing left.  A three hundred foot connector trail departs the road on the left at this point.  Take this trail, which soon descends to intersect the Ponderosa Trail.  This intersection is marked by one of several wooden "street signs" that make the trail system more navigable.  Bear right on the Ponderosa Trail; we will use the trail heading left here as our return route.  The trail hugs the side of Ponderosa Ridge with a steep ravine on the left.  The young forest consists mostly of oak with a few red pines mixed in. 

            Throughout the hike, the shrub layer is dominated by honeysuckle of varying levels of density.  The trail soon curves left to arrive at Ponderosa Shelter, a small stone structure overlooking the I-74 valley to the southeast.  The trail departs the shelter, begins descending moderately, and soon comes to a 3-way trail intersection where the Ponderosa Trail ends.  The trail going left is the Quarry Trail, which loops back to the trailhead for a 1 mile hike.  Do not take it, but continue straight on the Furnas Trail, which is blazed in white. 

Ponderosa Shelter

            The trail continues descending, crosses a stream, then ascends Trail Ridge on the other side.  Once atop the ridge, the trail curves to the right and traces a route around the tip of Trail Ridge.  At several points the trail comes very close to the extremely steep side of the ridge.  Throughout this part of the trail, noisy I-74 can be heard only 1000 feet to the left.

            Now proceeding to follow the west side of Trail Ridge, the Furnas Trail crosses a couple of small nameless ravines before turning right to head up Hawthorn Ravine.  The cooler, moister ravine is more suited to maple, beech, and hemlock trees than the oaks you passed earlier.  Continue straight at the next trail intersection, following the white blazes.

Hiking the Twin Bridge Trail

            Near the head of the ravine, cross the creek, this time without the aid of a bridge.  As the trail begins heading down the other side of the ravine, watch for an unmarked trail that goes off to the right; this is the Twin Bridge Trail.  Turn right, go about 20 yards, then turn right again on a broad ridgetop path that is probably an old road.  In about 0.2 miles, the trail comes out at picnic area 13 along Trail Ridge Road, which makes a good rest area at the midpoint of this hike.

Picnic Area #13

            Cross the picnic area and pick up the Red Oak Trail, which is marked with blue blazes and a small wooden sign.  The trail immediately begins descending along the left (south) bank of Red Oak Creek, named for the numerous small oak trees in the area.  The trail soon intersects the Ponderosa Trail, which goes right to cross the creek.  Turn right to begin the hike along the Ponderosa Trail back to the trailhead.  This side of Trail Ridge is much quieter than the other due to the lack of noise from I-74. 

            The trail ascends moderately to circle the tip of Hidden Ridge, probably named for the fact that neighboring Oak and Stone Steps ridges block your view of Hidden Ridge when coming from downtown.  On the other side of Hidden Ridge, the trail heads up a ravine before turning left to cross the creek just before reaching the ravine's head. 

Hiking the Ponderosa Trail

            After crossing the creek on another fine wooden bridge, the trail heads down the opposite side of the ravine while beginning a long ascent up Stone Steps Ridge.  The ascent begins gradually, but becomes steeper as the crest is approached.  Once the crest is reached, the trail completes its trip around Stone Steps Ridge.  The Quarry Trail comes in from the left here.  The trail crosses several drainages before intersecting the entrance trail from Picnic Area 21 to close our loop.  A right turn here and a short uphill hike will return you to your car to complete the hike.