The Ice Caves

Last time we made a trip to the "Ice Caves" was in winter 2006.  They probably haven't existed since then because it takes a certain amount of water and a certain period of below zero temperatures to get the formations.  We had a substantial amount of rain followed by a long period of cold over the past two weeks so on Thursday of last week we started checking the weather and making plans for our journey.  We left for Hocking County at 11 am on Sunday but didn't get to the caves until 2 pm. It should have only taken us about 1.5 hours.  None of the township roads on our route were plowed and we simply could not get the Vue up the steep hills going the back way which necessitated taking the long way. Once we got to the back entrance of the area we had to drive up another snowy road and park the car and then hike a couple miles down to the cave.  It was beautiful and very quiet in the woods. Andrew was on the job in part as he was assessing the health of the hemlock trees and looking for invasives while we were in route. Happily nothing to report there.  Here's a few photos of the cave. None that do it justice but a few that might make a publication somewhere. I also made a video of the water dripping and flowing and of the ice formations. Click here to view the video.

 Inside the cave looking out

 Entrance to the cave

In the ravine above the cave

 Ice flow

 Close up of dripping water

 The entrance

 Holly

 Inside toward the back wall

 Looking out and up

Andrew is far left in this photo so you can get an idea of the size of the formations.

About the area:
The Clear Creek valley extends from the intersection of Clear Creek with the Hocking River in the east to the town of Revenge in the west. In 1996 the valley officially opened as Clear Creek Metro Park, part of the Franklin County Metro Parks system. The beauty of the Clear Creek valley comes from the overlap of geologic and climate zones. Here the prairies of the west meet the Appalachian forests of the east. Canadian hemlocks pushed south by glaciers meet southern species such as rhododendron. And it all rests on a bedrock of Blackhand sandstone. The topography of the park is extremely rugged, with many steep ravines, rock outcroppings and cliff faces. While hemlocks and ferns prefer the cool ravines, the hillsides are covered with oak forests. Open fields on the ridgetops and in the valley provide habitat for meadow plants and animals, and wetlands along the creek create homes for sycamore trees and waterfowl. Over 1200 plant species have been identified in Clear Creek. Among the standouts are mountain laurel, little gray polypody, maidenhair ferns, horsetail, pink ladyslipper, skunk cabbage, witch hazel, American chestnut, and persimmon trees. The valley is home to over 150 species of birds, including black vultures, eastern bluebirds, veeries, wood thrush, great blue heron, woodcock, wild turkey, and many species of warblers. Evidence of beaver activity is easily found near the creek, but bobcats live more secretive lives among the rock ledges. Chipmunks rustle among fallen leaves and deer sightings are frequent.  www.hockinghills.com/ClearCreek

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