Ash Cave Gorge Wheelchair Accessible Trail - Hocking Hills Ohio State Park
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 39° 23.770 W 082° 32.748
17S E 366892 N 4361880
Available for 20 years or more years, an accessible trail leads visitors to the 700-foot long, 90-foot high Ash Cave.
Waymark Code: WM7YAB
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 12/22/2009
Views: 10
The Ash Cave trails of
Hocking Hills State Park consists of two
trails. The upper Rim Trail is approximately 1/2 mile long and takes 40 minutes to an hour to complete due to slightly rugged terrain and stairs.
The lower Gorge Trail is a little over 1/4 mile long and is handicap accessible along a paved path ending in the large sandy region of the recess cave. It takes approximately a 1/2 hour to hike the trail under normal conditions.
Unfortunately, the accessible trail ends once visitors reach the horseshoe-shaped shelter, which measures 700 feet from end to end and 90 feet high. However, the end of the trail does provide an excellent viewing spot to take photos.
The entrance sign proclaims this accessible trail was installed during the time Richard Celeste was Governor of Ohio whose term ended in 1991. Therefore, this trail has been available for at least 20 years if not more.
The entrance sign reads:
Ash Cave Trail for the Physically Challenged
Dedicated to the millions of Americans whose lives are challenged by physical disabilities
This hard-surfaced trail meanders one-quarter mile along a stream which sculpted the sandstone gorge terminating at majestic Ash Cave. Early settlers named this rock shelter for the huge mounds of campfire ashes that blanketed its floor, testimoney to the generations of Native Americans who took shelter beneath its 700-foot rock ceiling.
This fully accessible trail is just one of many state park facilities which have been improved in recent years to enable all visitors to enjoy the scenic treasures preserved in Ohio's state parks.
Richard F. Celeste, Governor
State of Ohio