You have to wonder-why go to the Hocking Hills in Winter?

A hiker steps gingerly along the uneven sandstone steps leading to a small, sheltered plateau about 1/4 mile into Old Man's Cave. I see him coming from my perch on the trail above him at what has been aptly nicknamed "The Overlook". It has snowed during the night and I had scrambled out of bed early to try to get some photos of Old Man's Cave before the trails were heavy with hikers. I like the thrill of being the first there, of seeing fresh pure snow not trudged and browned by boots. And taking in the forest before the tranquil air is noisy with others curious to see the hills wearing their Winter whites. But maybe I had arrived later than I thought because the world around Old Man's Cave seemed to be already awakening with the reverberation of other visitors.

The hiker ambles closer. Snow sticks to the bottom of the hiker's boots and makes a soft crunching sound when he walks. But I can't hear it, those boots leaving a size 10 print in the snow. In tow, he has eleven or so boys of various shapes and sizes clambering along the trail tossing snowballs, laughing loudly, discussing how they could shove one unsuspecting boy's face into a particularly large snow bank. The group looks chaotic, a tiny ball of commotion rolling through the hemlock-lined trails deep within Old Man's Cave. They burst the peaceful air of the recess cave with the same ferocity of a baseball-size snowball crashing through a stained glass window. What was once a tranquil walkway now bears a significant resemblance to a junior high school hallway during class change.

It's 20 degrees and while the lead hiker stops to catch his breath, tiny puffs of white clouds slip from his lips. He pauses long enough to turn and look out into the sweeping basin below and takes in a sharp breath, pointing toward the group below him, "Hey guys, stop for a minute. Look."

For a moment, it appears the boys will pass him by continuing to wrestle one smaller boy to the ground. But they stop, turn and for a moment, all is quiet. You expect a groan or roll of eyes from the group. But there is only silence as each looks out over the blanket of fresh snow covering the landscape below and to a huge mound of ice formed from a waterfall. Silence. Only the cool whistle of wind through the sandstone nook where the lead hiker stands flows through the air.

"Hey, I wonder if anybody's ever snowboarded down that thing." 90 seconds later, the silence is broken. It is one of the boys and he is referring to the frozen waterfall. For a moment, eleven or so boys' and one leader's eyes gleam as if they are actually considering the idea. I think about slip-sliding down the waterfall too. But suddenly they come to their senses. One of the boys whines that his little toe is numb and quite possibly falling off. And once again the frenzied ball of boys resume their ear-shattering progression along the trail.

I pull out my digital camera and take a shot of the frozen waterfall. I can still hear the echoes of the boys far up the trail and contemplate the awesome view that had kept eleven or so thirteen year old boys silent for an entire 90 seconds. The picture in the view finder doesn't give the scene justice. There is something missing in the image and I realize it is the sounds and scents and even the feel of the cold air smacking at my cheeks. I wish I could have captured the exact moment in time the lead hiker had raised his hand toward the falls below and eleven or so boys had turned their eyes toward the view within. But no camera could have pull that one off. You simply can't capture the whole spirit of the moment even on the most expensive digital camera.

I sigh, wondering how many millions of visitors to the park have been completely blown away by this same view and realize my little toe is numb too. Then I shrug and follow the size ten boot trail toward the top of the cave.

6 Great Places to Stay.

6 Great Specials for Staying.

Eagle's Nest Cabins

25315 Macedonia Road

South Bloomingville, Ohio 43152

1-866-858-6096

http://www.eaglesnestcabins.com

Eagle's Nest Cabin guests enjoy seclusion and comfort in the Hocking Hills Region of Ohio. The cabin is close to Hocking Hills State Park attractions but far enough away that visitors to the cabin can enjoy the peaceful setting of the forest away from the usual crowds.

Eagles Nest Cabin is located on the Old Man's Cave section of the Buckeye Trail-a 1,435 mile hiking trail that encircles the state of Ohio.

Winter rates starting on December 1st and running through April 16th.

Are only $85 weeknights and $130 weekends.

The Hocking Hills Homestead
19727 Unger Road
Logan, OH 43138
(740) 385-0449

http://www.hockinghillshomestead.com/

The Hocking Hills Homestead offers Hocking Hills cabin rentals and vacation lodging with a pet friendly environment.

"We have two different Hocking Hills lodging and both are near Old Man's Cave and park attractions- The Homestead is a step into the past and The Glenwood is a woodland retreat. We are only one mile from Old Man's Cave with a peaceful country setting and relaxing hot tubs."

3-Night

Mini-Vacation For

“Two”

In Glenwood Cottage

$133 A night includes tax

Honey Ridge Cabins

24208 Brown Road

South Bloomingville, OH 43152

740-332-1364

http://www.honey-ridge.com

Honey Ridge would like to host your winter wanderings in the magnificent Hocking Hills. Winters feature giant icicles hanging from towering rock-faced cliffs, sweeping views of deep gorges and hillsides no longer shielded by leafy cover and sometimes a waterfall frozen from top to bottom. Come and experience the Hocking Hills through different eyes during nature's quiet time. "Come and enjoy our lovely, new 2 bedroom cottage with full amenities on a private, rural, wooded ridge."

Discounted winter rates offer great value:

~ weekends, $125 per night

~ weeknights, $100 per night

~ holidays, $150 per night (no discounts on holidays)

Frontier Log Cabins
18381 Thompson Ridge Rd.
Laurelville, Oh 43135

PH: 1-888-332-6747
http://www.frontierlogcabins.com

Discover the serenity of the Hocking Hills in these authentic style, tin roofed log cabins on 43 private acres.

Nestled among the towering pine forest, the secluded wooded setting offers privacy for a romantic getaway or a perfect place to hide from the real world. If you like solitude, Frontier Log Cabins is the perfect spot. Each log cabin is completely furnished and accented with a touch of old-fashioned hospitality.

Stay 2 nights anytime and add the 3rd night for $75
Special good: November 2005- February 2006

3 Great Things to Do in the Hocking Hills In Winter

Sledders can use the dam at Lake Logan and there is plenty of parking at the dam parking lot right off of State Route 664. How to get to Lake Logan: To get to Lake Logan, folks can take State Route 33 East from Columbus to the Logan Bremen Exit which is State Route 664. Turn right. The Lake Logan Dam parking lot is about 1/4
mile down on the right.

Sledders can use the dam which is located right off State Route 278. How to get to Lake Hope: Take 270 to Route 33 South through Lancaster and down to Nelsonville and State Route 278. Take 278 South to Lake Hope State Park. (1.5 hours)

2 HIKE. The park is open all year long so you can hike from dawn to dusk 365 days a year in the Hocking Hills. If you like the waterfalls at Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls in summer, you'll love to see them frozen to a blue glaze in winter. There are beautiful panoramic views at Conkle's Hollow and Cantwell Cliffs and Rock House have unique features (Ever heard of Fat Woman's Squeeze?). But watch out for slippery trails and don't get close to cliff edges! We suggest wearing ice cleats. More here. . .

3 Find Your Adventure. Both Hocking Hills State Park and Lake Hope State Park have naturalist events all year long. From programs Ohio Birds of Prey to night hikes, there are plenty of outdoor activities to explore. Backpack at Zaleski forest or mountain bike at Lake Hope State Park. You can even discover a ghost or two around the region-http://www.hauntedHocking.com

Sweethearts Hike

February 11 5-7 PM

Maple Sugaring in the Hills

March 11&12 12-4 PM

Wildflowers and Waterfalls

Hike April 21

10 AM

Frontier Trail Hike May 6

Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike October 14

You have to wonder-why go to the Hocking Hills in Winter?

It's 20 degrees and while the lead hiker stops to catch his breath, tiny puffs of white clouds slip from his lips. He pauses long enough to turn and look out into the sweeping basin below and takes in a sharp breath, pointing toward the group below him, "Hey guys, stop for a minute. Look."

“Two”

3 Great Things to Do in the Hocking Hills In Winter

And don't forget to Book a Weekend Getaway during Winter Hike!