You may also want to see About Outings
for description of Outings, Friday Night Hikes, and the Outings Rating System (E/S).
Saturday, May 17 -- Early Bloomers Walk, Ratings: E/S 2/2
This walk in the Little Miami River/Clifton Gorge area is intended as a self-instructional and discovery event. There are some 5 miles of scenic areas with a variety of flora. We will stop continuously as we move about and give ourselves the time and opportunity to identify and appreciate the wildflowers growing in this habitat. The walk takes us along the Stage Coach Trail, the Gorge Trail, and other trails near the banks of the river. The Little Miami was the first river in Ohio designated as a State as well as a National Scenic River. Bring water, snacks, field manual, and boots. Meet at 10 AM behind Bob Evans Restaurant at Westland Shopping Center (just east of I-270 and West Broad St.). Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, May 18 -- John Bryan, Glen Helen, Yellow Springs Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4
This is a dog-friendly hike. We will hike through John Bryan State Park to Glen Helen Nature Preserve to visit the Raptor Center. The hike continues to the “Yellow Springs” and we will hike on an old stagecoach road that offers some great scenery.This is a brisk-paced hike of 11 miles, so please be aware of your hiking abilities and limitations. Bring lunch, water, and hiking boots and meet behind Bob Evans Restaurant at Westland Shopping Center (just east of I-270 and West Broad St.)We will leave there promptly at 9 am. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, May 23 -- Friday Night Hike, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1
The flat to gently-rolling paved trails through woodlands, prairies, and fields make this one of our easiest parks to walk. Bring your own water since none is available on the trail. Meet at 7 pm near the restrooms and flagpole at the far end of the main entrance road. Directions: From the NW corner of I-270 take U.S. 33 west to the SR 161/Post Road exit. Turn right on Post Road, then take the next left onto Hyland Croy Road and drive PAST the Honda Wetlands entrance for about 3 miles until you see the main park entrance on your left. Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, May 25 -- Tar Hollow State Park Hike, Ratings: E/S 4/5
This 11-mile hike will take us through the North Loop of the Logan Trail. Tar Hollow is comprised of many ridges and valleys carved by erosion of the western portion of the Appalachian Plateau. The area sustains diverse species of wildlife and offers many varieties of trees and vegetation that color the hillsides in the springtime. The deep ravines and ridgetops also pose hiking challenges. Bring water, lunch, suitable attire and meet at 9 am behind Tim Hortons in the Great Southern Shopping Center on U.S. 23 just north of I-270. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, May 30 -- Friday Night Hike, Griggs Dam, Ratings: E/S 1/1
We will meet at the COTA "Park and Ride" across the street from the Subway on Riverside Drive, just south of Fishinger Road in Upper Arlington. We'll walk three or four miles along the river and, if the weather's nice, maybe loop around Fancyburg Park as well! We'll then go out to eat, likely at the Big Fat Greek Cuisina. Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, June 1 -- Granville Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 1/1
This is a dog-friendly hike. The town of Granville offers all the beauty and charm of a New England community. We have a great place for a Sunday hike, with the Denison University campus at the edge of the town. We will be walking about 6 miles throughout the town and campus and 4 miles in the Denison University Biological Reserve. The pace will be brisk and the hills challenging, so be prepared for a vigorous day. Bring water, snack, and hiking boots (recommended for the trails in the Reserve). Meet at 10 am behind Tim Hortons on Cleveland Ave., just north of SR 161. Contact leader for further information.
Wednesday, June 4 -- Wednesday Night Hike, Franklin Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1
Enjoy the variety of plantings and waterways to be found in this park close to downtown Columbus. We will meet by the EAST entry to the conservatory at 6:30 pm for an hour-long walk through the park located at 1777 E. Broad Street. The conservatory is open for free 5-8 pm to explore at your leisure (Community Night) even if the hike is canceled due to lightning. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, June 6 -- Friday Night Hike II, German Village, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Join us for a walk through historic German Village. We will walk around the German Village neighborhoods and visit Fetch Park. Meet at Schiller Park (Deshler and Jaeger) at 7 pm. Wear sturdy footwear appropriate for uneven walking surfaces. We will be walking about 3 miles and will stop for an optional dinner at a local area restaurant. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, June 6 -- Friday Night Hike I, Sharon Woods Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Meet in the Apple Ridge parking lot at 7 pm. We'll hike through woods, meadows, and around Schrock Lake. Although much of the terrain is flat, be prepared to navigate a few small and possibly muddy hills. Contact leaders for further information.
Sunday, June 8 -- Mohican State Park Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4
This hike of 10+ miles takes us along river and ridgetop trails of the Clear Fork Gorge. The gorge originated from the erosion of the moraines, rock till and deposits of the Wisconsinan glacier of some 12,000 years ago. It can reach more than a thousand feet wide and hundreds of feet deep. The area’s wildlife once provided attractive hunting grounds for the Delaware Indians. Today, old growth white pine, hemlocks, hickory and a variety of oak and maple comprise part of the vegetation that has made the area a designated National Natural Landmark. Bring water, lunch, suitable attire and boots. Meet at 9 AM in the back of Target’s parking lot on Polaris Parkway, just west of exit # 121 on I-71 north of Columbus. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, June 13 -- Friday Night Hike II, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1
This park is one of the less-traveled areas of our metro parks system. It has wooded areas as well as grasslands with a few lakes and a wide variety of birds. The trails vary from even, hard-packed gravel to uneven, bush-hogged vegetation. From I-270, take I-70 west to the Plain City-Georgesville Road/SR-142 exit and go about 0.8 miles north. The entrance is on the right. Drive back to the Whispering Oaks picnic area where we'll meet at 7 pm. We’ll go to an optional dinner afterward. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, June 13 -- Friday Night Hike I, Old Westerville, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Join us for a 3-plus mile hike in Old Westerville. We will be walking through some of Old Westerville’s quaint neighborhoods and around the charming Otterbein College campus. Our hike will end with an optional dinner at a popular area restaurant. Meet at 7 pm in the parking lot located behind Graeter’s Ice Cream Parlor at the corner of State St. and College Ave. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy footwear as we may encounter some wet and muddy areas. Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, June 15 -- Slate Run Metro Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/2
We’ll hike approximately 6 miles through Slate Run Metro Park. The hike will cover a variety of terrain including forest, meadows and wetlands. We’ll also stop at the Slate Run Living Historical Farm for a quick visit. Bring water and lunch or a snack. Meet at 10 am at the Shady Grove picnic area. Directions: From I-270 take U.S. 33 east toward Lancaster to the Canal Winchester/S.R. 674 exit. Turn right onto Gender Rd./S.R. 674 and go about 2 miles until it ends at Lithopolis Rd. Turn left and go about 1/2 mile to S.R. 674. Turn right and go about 4 miles to the entrance on the right. Once inside the park, take the first left past the ranger station and park in the picnic area at the end of the road. Contact leaders for further information.
