Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve: Blue Trail (Blog Hike #983)

Trail: Blue Trail
Hike Location: Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Geographic Location: southwest of Columbia, SC (33.82813, -81.20238)
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: December 2023
Overview: A lollipop loop passing Peachtree Rock, Little Peachtree Rock, and a waterfall.
Park Information: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/peachtree-rock-heritage-preserve/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=952196
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 15)

Directions to the trailhead: In Columbia, take I-26 to SR 302 (exit 113).  Exit and go west on SR 302.  Drive SR 302 west 10.9 miles to SR 6 and turn left on SR 6.  Drive SR 6 south 1 mile to the dirt parking lot for Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve on the left.  Park here; there is room for 8-10 cars here.

The hike: Many people know of South Carolina's state parks, national parks, and national forests, but few people seem to know about South Carolina's heritage preserves and their function.  Created by the South Carolina Legislature in 1976, the Heritage Trust Program protects lands of cultural and natural interest called heritage preserves, and over 83,000 acres have been protected under the Trust.  The heritage preserves are managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which also manages South Carolina's state parks.  Thus, heritage preserves are like state parks but with no amenities, and most heritage preserves offer at most a parking lot and a few trails.

            Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve fits the Trust's undeveloped pattern, although it is jointly managed with The Nature Conservancy, a private organization.  The preserve was established to protect its namesake rock, a large boulder that sat atop a small pedestal in a balanced-rock type configuration.  Unfortunately, Peachtree Rock fell over in 2013, but the preserve still offers plenty to see including Little Peachtree Rock, a smaller version of the larger rock, and the only naturally occurring waterfall in South Carolina's coastal plains.  Several trails allow hikers to access the preserve.  This hike features the Blue Trail, the preserve's main trail that passes every major point of interest in the preserve.

Leaving the trailhead

            From the parking area, head in the entrance trail, which is marked with blue aluminum trail markers.  The single-track sandy dirt trail heads into the pine woods along the ridge top, but soon the trail descends gradually via a couple of switchbacks.  The difference between maximum and minimum elevation on this hike is only a little over 100 feet, so all grades are moderate and brief.

            At 0.2 miles, you approach a small creek and reach a trail intersection.  The Red Trail goes right here, so you want to turn left to stay on the Blue Trail.  All official trails in this preserve are well-marked with small metal discs of the appropriate color, but there are a large number of unmarked unofficial trails that need to be avoided.

Bottom of Peachtree Rock

Top of Peachtree Rock

            Topping a low finger ridge brings you to Peachtree Rock at 0.3 miles.  Today you see the stone pedestal and the rock on its side, and an interpretive sign tells you the story of Peachtree Rock and its formation via erosion.  A chain fence prevents you from touching or climbing the rock.

            Continuing up this small hollow brings you to a small waterfall.  Though only about 15 feet high, this waterfall is the only naturally occurring waterfall in South Carolina's coastal plains.  Some sandstone cliffs in this area, another rarity for the coastal plains, add to this hollow's interesting rock scenery.

Small waterfall

            Some wild trails ascend near the waterfall, but the official Blue Trail heads out of the hollow below Peachtree Rock.  After stepping across the stream that formed the waterfall, you reach the trail intersection that forms the Blue Trail's loop at 0.45 miles.  To give myself some more options near the end of the hike, I chose to turn left and use the trail going right as my return route, thus hiking the loop clockwise.

Old moonshine still

            The narrow sandy dirt trail climbs moderately through the pines.  As you near the top of the ridge, an interpretive sign points out the ruins of a moonshine still on the left, a reminder that this hollow was used for illegal liquor production during the Prohibition era.  0.7 miles into the hike, you reach the top of the ridge and an intersection with what appears to be a two-track fire road.  Turn right to begin hiking east with the preserve's north boundary immediately to your left.

Hiking through pine forest

            After about 1000 feet on the road, the trail turns right to leave the fire road.  Watch for the blue aluminum trail markers to ensure you do not miss this turn.  The next 0.3 miles stay along the ridgetop and pass through sunny open pine forest.  Burn marks imply this area has been cleared by a controlled burn recently.

            1.2 miles into the hike, you descend a brief steep and rocky area to reach Little Peachtree Rock.  Though only about half the size of this preserve's namesake, Little Peachtree Rock still stands on its pedestal, and it gives you some idea of what Peachtree Rock looked like before it fell over.  Some boulders here make nice places to sit and rest near the midpoint of this hike.

Little Peachtree Rock

            The trail exits downhill from the Little Peachtree Rock area.  The rest of the Blue Trail's loop is a gently rolling excursion through streamside forest that contains a few oak and sweet gum trees.  Where the Green, Orange, and Red Trails exit left, stay right to remain on the Blue Trail unless you want to extend your hike.  At 1.75 miles, you close the Blue Trail's loop.  Walk past Peachtree Rock one more time as you retrace your steps back out of the hollow to return to the trailhead and complete the hike.

Warriors' Path State Park: Overlook Trail (Blog Hike #982)

Trail: Overlook Trail
Hike Location: Warriors' Path State Park
Geographic Location: south of Kingsport, TN (36.49052, -82.47716)
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: A short lollipop loop to an overlook above the Holston River.
Park Information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/warriors-path
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=950132
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 22)

Directions to the trailhead: In northeast Tennessee, take I-81 to SR 36 (exit 59).  Exit and go north on SR 36.  Drive SR 36 north 1.3 miles to Hemlock Road and turn right on Hemlock Rd.  Drive Hemlock Rd. east 1.6 miles to the state park entrance on the right.  Turn softly right to enter the park.  Drive the main park road 1.1 miles to the boat ramp parking lot and the adjacent parking lot for the Cliffside Disc Golf Course and the Overlook Trail.  Park here.

The hike: Consisting of 950 acres in the northeast tip of Tennessee, Warriors' Path State Park occupies a scenic area along Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir on the South Fork Holston River.  Fort Patrick Henry Dam was built in the early 1950's by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for purposes of hydroelectric power generation and water flow regulation.  The park's land was acquired from the TVA by the State of Tennessee in 1952.  The park is named for its proximity to the Cherokee Great War and Trading Path, an ancient road that went through this area.

            The park has many fantastic amenities including a 90-site developed campground, an 18 hole golf course, 2 18 hole disc golf courses, a marina on the reservoir, athletic fields, and several hiking trails.  The Overlook Trail described here is one of the park's shorter trails, but it may be the park's most scenic trail.  As its name suggests, the Overlook Trail leads to a scenic overlook high above the South Fork Holston River, and few trails in east Tennessee match this trail's effort to reward ratio.

Overlook Trail trailhead

            Start at the rear of the parking area, where a metal vehicle gate and wooden sign that says "Overlook Trail" mark the trailhead.  Marked with new red paint blazes and older light green paint blazes, the Overlook Trail heads south as it climbs gradually on single track dirt trail; the wider path going right is the first hole on this park's Cliffside Disc Golf Course.  The forest here is a nice mix of deciduous trees that includes maple, oak, hickory, and sweet gum.

Climbing on the Overlook Trail

            After 0.3 miles of gradual climbing, you reach the intersection that forms the Overlook Trail's short loop.  To go directly to the overlook, turn left and hike the loop clockwise.  Scrambling down a short rocky area brings you to the overlook.  This viewpoint looks southeast over the wide South Fork Holston River with the I-81 river bridge visible to the right.  This viewpoint is indeed this hike's and this park's best overlook, so take a few minutes to enjoy the view.

Main overlook

            Past the overlook, the trail descends a steep rocky area to cross what appears to be an old dirt road.  Another disc golf hole follows the old road to the right through what looks like a hill cut.  The Overlook Trail climbs more gradually than it descended and curves right to pass 2 more holes on the disc golf course before closing the loop.  A left turn takes you back down the entrance trail to the parking area to complete the hike.

Point Pleasant Riverfront Park to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park (Blog Hike #981)

Trails: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Riverfront Park and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park
Geographic Location: Point Pleasant, WV (38.84250, -82.13919)
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: 0/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: A flat hike, mostly on paved trail, along the Ohio River to the Point Pleasant Monument.
Park Information: https://wvstateparks.com/park/tu-endie-wei-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=950002
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 2)

Directions to the trailhead: This hike starts at the Riverfront Park floodwall door in downtown Point Pleasant.  Park in the perpendicular parking on the north side of the town's post office.

The hike: When most people think of American wars during the 1770's, the Revolutionary War is the first one to come to mind.  Yet while revolution against the British was fomenting in America's eastern cities of Boston and Philadelphia, another war was taking place on what was then America's northwestern frontier.  Named for the Royal Governor of the Virginia Colony, Lord Dunmore's War came about when forces under Shawnee Chief Cornstalk tried to stop the advance of American/British settlers in the Ohio valley.

            Lord Dunmore's War had only one major battle, namely the Battle of Point Pleasant in present-day West Virginia on October 10, 1774.  Though he was outnumbered at least 2 to 1, Chief Cornstalk advanced south to attack the Virginia militia under the command of Colonel Andrew Lewis.  Cornstalk's goal was to prevent the militia from crossing the Ohio River into present-day Ohio, thereby protecting Shawnee land along the river.  Fighting lasted all day, but the Shawnee were eventually outflanked and forced to retreat north across the river.  Later that month, Lord Dunmore led the Virginia militia deep into present-day Ohio, thus forcing the Shawnee to sign the Treaty of Camp Charlotte to end the war and surrender land claims south of the Ohio River.

            Today the Battle of Point Pleasant is commemorated by Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, a tiny 4 acre park in downtown Point Pleasant at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers.  The park's name comes from the Wyandot word that translates to "point between two waters," a reference to the park's confluential location.  The park's main structure is the Mansion House, a wooden structure dating to 1796 that was originally a tavern.  The City of Point Pleasant's Riverfront Park is only a short distance away, and walking the asphalt trail that joins the two parks forms the super short and super easy "hike" described here.

Point Pleasant floodwall

Riverfront Park

            Start by walking through the floodwall door, which brings you to the top of the amphitheater at Riverfront Park.  The amphitheater's stage is right by the Ohio River, and the "seats" are formed by a tiered wavy concrete structure.  The amphitheater looks like a small version of Cincinnati's famous Serpentine Wall, and the Ohio River bridges visible in either direction add to the scenery.

Entering Tu-Endie-Wei State Park

            To head for Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, turn left and begin walking downstream with the Ohio River on your right and the floodwall on your left.  A beautiful mural of pioneer life in this area adorns the floodwall, and metal statues of famous people from the pioneer era such as Sacagawea and Mad Anne Bailey line the asphalt trail.  At 0.25 miles, the asphalt trail ends where a sign welcomes you to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.  Continue straight to walk across the mowed grass and enter the state park.

Point Pleasant Monument

Confluence of Ohio and Kanawha Rivers

            The state park occupies only about a city block, but there is lots to see here.  In addition to the aforementioned Mansion House, separate monuments stand to Shawnee leader Chief Cornstalk and The Magazine, where several members of the Virginia Militia are buried.  The tallest monument is the Point Pleasant Monument, a stone obelisk that stands to the battle itself.  Walking to the other (south) end of the park brings you to the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers and allows you to see river bridges on both rivers.  After exploring the park, retrace your steps back to Riverfront Park and the floodwall door to complete the hike.

Strouds Run State Park: White Pine and Vista Point Trails (Blog Hike #980)

Trails: White Pine and Vista Point Trails
Hike Location: Strouds Run State Park
Geographic Location: east of Athens, OH (39.35180, -82.04494)
Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: An out-and-back to a vista overlooking Dow Lake.
Park Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/strouds-run-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=949963
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming October 18)

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Athens, head north on Lancaster Street.  Drive Lancaster St. north 0.4 miles to Columbia Avenue.  Angle softly right on Columbia Ave.  After passing over US 33, turn right on Strouds Run Road.  The trailhead parking area is 2.2 miles ahead on the left.

The hike: Occupying land acquired in the 1940s and 1950s for the now defunct Athens State Forest, Strouds Run State Park comprises 2606 acres in the hills and hollows east of Athens.  The park is centered around Dow Lake, a 161 acre man-made lake that was built in 1960.  The park is named for William Stroud, who was a shareholder in the Ohio Company of Associates.  The Ohio Company was a land company in the 1700's that founded Marietta, Ohio and facilitated European and early American settlement of southeast Ohio including Athens County.

            The large park offers many amenities including a 76-site developed campground, numerous picnic areas, and aquatic recreation on Dow Lake.  The park is oft-frequented by students at nearby Ohio University, and some of the University's aquatic sports such as rowing train on Dow Lake.  For hikers, Strouds Run State Park offers over 14 miles of trails that range in difficulty from flat lakeside strolls to long, steep routes through the hills.  The hike described here leads to the park's most famous overlook while passing some other interesting sites, and it is long and hilly enough to get you going without completely wearing you out.  I came here on a cool damp Saturday morning before an Ohio University football game and had a nice hike.

Trailhead for White Pine Trail

            A brown road sign that says "White Pine Trail" stands at the rear of the parking area and marks the trailhead.  The narrow trail climbs steeply and reaches a trail intersection after only a few hundred feet.  The trail going right leads to the mountain bike trailhead, so you need to turn left to continue climbing on the White Pine Trail.  As the trail's name suggests, a large number of white pine trees (probably planted by foresters) grow on this hillside, and in total you gain about 200 feet of elevation on this initial segment.

Climbing steeply on the White Pine Trail

            At 0.3 miles, you reach the top of the ridge and a trail intersection with the Vista Point Trail, which goes left and right.  A well-placed bench also sits here.  To head to this park's most famous vista, turn right to begin heading east on the Vista Point Trail.

Hiking the Vista Point Trail

            The Vista Point Trail is a ridge-running trail that embarks on a gently rolling course.  Just past 0.4 miles, you reach an ancient burial mound that sits to the right of the trail.  Experts think this mound is between 2100 and 2400 years old, and many similar mounds were built on the hills of southeast Ohio.  This mound is fairly long but not very tall, and almost nobody would notice it today but for the interpretive sign.

Ancient burial mound

            The trail meanders its way east along the top of the increasingly narrow ridge.  Maple and pine trees dominate this ridge at first, but more oak trees appear as you approach the end of the ridge.  Just shy of 0.9 miles, you reach this park's most famous vista.  While this vista peeps through a narrow window in the tree branches, you can see Dow Lake, the park's main lake, below surrounded by several ridges.  I came here in late October just after peak leaf color, and some remaining reds and yellows brightened the hillsides.

Vista of Dow Lake

            From this overlook, 2 options to get back to the trailhead present themselves.  The Vista Point Trail switches back to descend the steep and rocky hillside and intersect the Thunderbunny Trail, a mountain bike trail that leads west back toward the parking area that contains your car.  I didn't feel like hiking steep terrain or sharing the trail with mountain bikes, so I simply retraced my steps back up the Vista Point Trail and down the White Pine Trail to complete my hike.  The two options are about equidistant, so choose whichever one you like best.

Lake Hope State Park: Olds Hollow Trail (Blog Hike #979)

Trail: Olds Hollow Trail
Hike Location: Lake Hope State Park
Geographic Location: northeast of McArthur, OH (39.33138, -82.34008)
Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: A short loop passing the Hope Iron Furnace, a rock shelter, and a pioneer cemetery.
Park Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/lake-hope-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=949877
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming August 30)

Directions to the trailhead: East of McArthur or west of Athens, take US 50 to SR 278 or SR 677.  Turn north on SR 278 or SR 677.  Where SR 278 and SR 677 merge in the town of Zaleski, continue north on SR 278.  Drive SR 278 north 5.1 miles from Zaleski to the parking area for Hope Iron Furnace on your left.  Park here.

The hike: Often overlooked in favor of the large and famous Hocking Hills State Park some 20 miles to the north, Lake Hope State Park actually predates the establishment of Ohio's state park system.  Originally named Lake Hope Forest Park, the park was founded in 1937 by the Ohio Division of Forestry.  That Division still manages 28,000 acre Zaleski State Forest, which surrounds the park.  The area was broken off from the state forest and became a state park when the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was founded in 1949.

            Before the land became a park, the mining and lumber industries ruled this area.  The Hope Iron Furnace at this trailhead produced pig iron from 1854 until 1874.  During those years, iron and limestone were mined and hillsides were clear-cut to supply inputs for the furnace.  After the furnace was shut down, coal was mined in this area.  The park and lake are named for the town of Hope, Ohio, an old mining town that existed from 1865 through 1890 and now sits under Lake Hope.  Only a 1-room schoolhouse and an abandoned church remain of the town.

            Today Lake Hope State Park offers surprisingly good amenities that include a lodge, boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Hope, 2 cabins, a 189-site developed campground, and many miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.  Among hikers the park is best known as a trailhead for the Zaleski Backpack Trail, a 23-mile loop known as the one of the best and toughest backpacking trails in Ohio.  Yet the park also has 8 trails suitable for dayhiking that total over 11 miles.  The Olds Hollow Trail described here is neither the longest nor shortest of this park's hiking options, but it may be the most scenic.  This trail passes through a rocky gorge that is a small version of the gorges found in Hocking Hills while also letting you see some of this area's history.

Hope Iron Furnace ruins

            Before starting the hike, take a few minutes to check out the ruins of the Hope Iron Furnace, which stand on a small hill behind the parking area.  When this furnace was in operation, the fire required to produce pig iron would be tended 24 hours per day.  Today one stone furnace remains somewhat intact while another structure is basically a pile of rocks.  The interpretive signs and historical markers that describe the site make for interesting reading.

Olds Hollow Trail trailhead

            To start the actual hike, walk out to the state road, turn right, cross Sandy Run on the highway bridge, then look to the left for the large wooden sign marking the Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Backpack Trailhead.  This trailhead is one of the main trailheads for the Zaleski Backpack Trail, but it also serves the Olds Hollow Trail.  After crossing a wetland area on a short wooden boardwalk, the trail curves left to begin heading east with the hillside to your right and Sandy Run's wetlands on your left.

Hiking the entrance trail

            At 0.2 miles, you reach the signed trail intersection that forms the Olds Hollow Trail's loop.  I chose to angle left here and use the trail going right as my return route, thus hiking the loop clockwise.  The blue blazes of the Olds Hollow Trail and the orange blazes of the Zaleski Backpack Trail run conjointly as the singletrack dirt trail heads north.  The forest is dominated by beech trees, and a woodpecker kept me company as I hiked through a light rain on a Friday morning.  Occasional views of Sandy Run's wetlands can be had to the left.

Heading into the hollow

            Just past 0.5 miles, you reach the trail intersection where the Zaleski Backpack Trail and the Olds Hollow Trail part ways.  As indicated by the blue blazes, turn right to remain on the Olds Hollow Trail.  Next comes perhaps the most scenic part of this hike: the trail heads up a narrow hollow with a small rock shelter on the left.  This rock shelter is small compared to Ash Cave or Old Mans Cave in nearby Hocking Hills, but it is a scenic sight for almost anywhere else in Ohio.

Small rock shelter

            Upon reaching the rock shelter, the trail curves right to climb steeply out of the hollow via some wooden steps.  The grade quickly moderates, and in total you gain about 100 feet of elevation over less than 0.2 miles.  Near the hike's highest elevation, you pass the Hope Furnace Graveyard, a pioneer cemetery where some of the workers at the iron furnace are buried.  5 headstones can be seen today, but researchers think as many as 50 people could be buried here.  A bench encourages you to take a few minutes to ponder this solemn area.

Hope Furnace Graveyard

            Past the cemetery, the trail descends on a grade similar to the one you climbed on.  After crossing an unnamed small stream, the trail curves right to head out the hollow you just descended into.  Just shy of 1 mile, you close the loop.  Angling left retraces your steps out the entrance trail and back along SR 278 to return to the parking area and complete the hike.  If you want to do more hiking, the state park's Peninsula Trail and Furnace Trail each offer 3+ mile hikes along Lake Hope, and of course the Zaleski Backpack trail offers an even longer option through the adjacent state forest.

Wayne National Forest: Archers Fork Trail to Irish Run Natural Bridge (Blog Hike #978)

Trail: Archers Fork Trail
Hike Location: Wayne National Forest, St. Patrick Cemetery
Geographic Location: northeast of Marietta, OH (39.52388, -81.18097)
Length: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: October 2023
Overview: An out and back passing a large rock shelter en route to Irish Run Natural Bridge.
Trail Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wayne/recarea/?recid=10344
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=949804
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming March 14, 2025)

Directions to the trailhead: From Marietta, take SR 26 northeast 24.7 winding miles to SR 260 and turn right on SR 260.  Drive SR 260 east 2.9 miles to Township Road 34 and turn right on TR 34.  TR 34 becomes gravel just before you reach the signed turnoff for the Archers Fork Trailhead on your left.  Turn left and drive the trailhead access road, which is marked on some maps as TR 411, to the trailhead at St. Patrick's Cemetery.  There is room for 3 or 4 cars at the cemetery/trailhead parking area.

The hike: I first learned of Wayne National Forest's Archers Fork Trail in 1997 when I read my first hiking book: 50 Hikes in Ohio, a classic multi-edition work by Ralph Ramey and the inspiration for all of the trail writing I have ever done.  Ramey wrote highly of the rustic and remote hills through which this trail passes, and I quickly added this trail to the list of Ohio trails I wanted to hike.  At long last, more than 25 years later I drove up the steep, narrow gravel road that leads to this trailhead.  The hike was every bit as good as I had hoped.

            On its own merit, the Archers Fork Trail is widely regarded as one of the best (but not longest) backpacking options in Ohio.  The trail forms a 14 mile loop that goes up and down multiple steep ridges, and several creeks will need to be waded during normal water levels.  For dayhikers such as I, the out-and-back to Irish Run Natural Bridge described here makes for a perfect short hike.  Irish Run Natural Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in Ohio, and this segment of the Archers Fork Trail gives you a taste of the full trail without overwhelming you with distance or difficulty.

St. Patrick's Cemetery Trailhead

            The signed trailhead is located at the northwest corner of St. Patrick's Cemetery, which is a surprisingly modern cemetery for such a rustic area: St. Patrick's Cemetery has 185 headstones with dates ranging from 1849 to 2020.  The single track dirt trail heads east with the cemetery on your right.  This trail is marked with both yellow/orange plastic diamonds and powder blue rectangles painted on trees.  A metal pipe partially buried in the ground runs beside the trail here.

Start of Archers Fork Trail's loop

            After 0.3 miles of fairly flat ridgetop walking, you reach the trail intersection that forms the loop portion of the Archers Fork Trail.  As directed by a wooden sign, turn right for the shortest route to Irish Run Natural Bridge.  The trail descends steeply down the west side of the ridge, and you will lose about 200 feet of elevation over the next 0.2 miles.  Maple trees are the most common trees in this forest, and their leaves were a brilliant shade of yellow when I hiked here in late October.

Hiking in the fall

            Just past 0.5 miles, you reach the top of a large rock shelter.  Peering down into the shelter, you can see an established fire ring beneath the shelter, but the steep spur trail to get to the floor of the shelter was too steep for me to attempt while hiking alone.  The main trail continues by circling the upper reaches of the ravine and heading south along the ravine's west wall.  The hillside is very steep here, and some sections of the sidehill trail are quite narrow.

Rock shelter, as seen from above

            1.1 miles into the hike, you reach the signed spur trail that exits left to Irish Run Natural Bridge, which is reached only a couple hundred feet later.  At 51 feet long, 19 feet wide, 16 feet thick, and 39 feet high, this sandstone bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in Ohio.  The spur trail approaches the bridge at the top of its north support.  The trail to the base of the bridge seemed too steep for me to descend safely, so I enjoyed the view looking down under the bridge from above.

Irish Run Natural Bridge

            The entire 14 mile loop is too long for a comfortable dayhike.  Thus, I turned around at the bridge and retraced my steps to the St. Patrick's Cemetery Trailhead to complete my hike.  Alternatively, continuing another 0.2 miles past the bridge would bring you to a crossing of Township Road 411, which is the continuation of the last road you drove uphill to the trailhead.  Therefore, you could form a loop by continuing to the road and turning right to walk the road back to the trailhead.  Be warned that the road is rough, heavily rutted, and eroded if you choose that option.