Major Reroute
- Date Posted
- Jun 12, 2023
- Section
- Old Man’s Cave
- Chapter
- Little Cities of the Forest Chapter
This update applies to the 2018 BTA Printed Old Mans Cave section map.
The Section Supervisor has announced a major reroute of the BT between Points 14 and 17 which takes the trail back into restricted access areas in two State Nature Preserves, Little Rocky Hollow and Scheik Hollow. The effort to gain trail back in this area has taken 10 years to accomplish. Please respect this privilege – Leave No Trace and stay on the trail.
This reroute moves Point 15 to 0.2 mi north of its former location on Kreshbaum Rd, inserts Point 16 to a location on Hockman Rd (T238), adds 1.5 mi between new Point 16 to newly designated Point 17, and increases the remaining Point numbers by 1. The section now has 29 Points and a total of 52.5 mi. In the Point descriptions, the CW miles increase from Points 17 to 29 by 1.5 mi. The CCW miles increase by 1.5 mi from Points 16 to 1. See the new information below:
Point 14 Rocky Fork Rd (T232) at Hocking State Forest (HSF) — Reroute starts here at the end of Point 14 with this text rewrite:
After 1.9 mi, ford Big Rocky Fork and climb S, then generally W past trailhead parking sign (white blazes) on steep skid road. After .5 miles cross Kreshbaum Rd (C9) through horse stiles.
CW 22.6 W | CCW 29.9 E | Point 15 | Footpath w/horse stiles at Kreshbaum Rd. (C9)
CW UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL USE STRICTLY ENFORCED. ODNR and DNAP have allowed the BT to reestablish the trail across two State Nature Preserves, Little Rocky Hollow and Scheik Hollow. Please follow Leave No Trace principles closely and stay on trail in this fragile environment.
BT continues SW and soon enters Little Rocky Hollow SNP. STAY ON TRAIL. In 1000’ the BT turns SE, and after switchback descends NW then SW into the creek valley. Continue across small intermittent stream and passing through hollow valley generally NW before ford of Little Rocky Branch. BT ascends from branch and turns NW below massive sandstone cliffs before crossing small stream and turning W ascending steeply. Crossing small foot bridge BT leaves SNP and enters HSF. BT turns S, then W before crossing unmaintained Extine Rd (T229) and passing through remnants of hilltop farmstead before entering Scheik Hollow SNP. STAY ON TRAIL. BT descends into lush hemlock valley before small intermittent creek crossing and soon after above large waterfall through (name of the creek/branch?). BT soon leaves SNP into HSF and ascends steeply through wooded valleyside before passing through horse stiles onto Hockman Rd (T238).
CW 24.6 S | CCW 27.9 NE | Point 16 | Hockman Rd (T238) at horse stiles (P)
CCW UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL USE STRICTLY ENFORCED. ODNR and DNAP have allowed the BT to reestablish the trail across two State Nature Preserves, Little Rocky Hollow and Scheik Hollow. Please follow Leave No Trace principles closely and stay on trail in this fragile environment.
BT turns S on Hockman Rd past styles and soon after (0.2 mi) turns W into Airplane Rock Parking Lot. Past service gate BT follows gravel road to orange blaze bridle trail and turns S into HSF on bridle trail. Bridle Trail follows gorge rim of Long Hollow, past view of Chapel Cave (2250’ facing N) before descending into creek valley. Bridle trail meanders through creek valley for 0.5 miles past HSF trail kiosk before entering into HSF Climbing Area Parking Lot and crossing Big Pine Rd (C11).
