Appalachia Ohio Alliance Hike Announcement

 Crane Hollow, October 15, 2011

 

Appalachia Ohio Alliance (AOA) is sponsoring a free Nature Interpretive Walk at Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve located near Gibisonville, Ohio.  Participants are invited to meet at the privately protected Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve at 10:00 a.m. October 15, 2011. We will take a leisurely walk with local naturalist Paul Knoop.  We will learn more about the geology, flora and fauna of this magnificent site.  Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and be prepared to hike, rain or shine.  Bring drinking water and a snack.  The hike will last about two hours.

Join us as we tour this 1200 acre protected preserve in Hocking County and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and scenery found on this property.  Crane Hollow is located west of Gibisonville off State Route 678.  

Please RSVP by contacting Paul Knoop or Steve Goodwin by e-mail at aoalt@earthlink.net   by October 11, 2011.

Hikers should expect to hike difficult terrain including steep hills, uneven ground, and may also need to cross shallow streams as Crane Hollow does not have an organized system of trails.  Participants should be in good physical condition and wear appropriate hiking boots or shoes.

 Directions to Crane Hollow from Route 33:

• Take the Laurelville exit and follow SR 180 to SR 678 through Gibisonville.
• At the intersection of SR 678 and SR 374, turn left at 16820 SR 678. 
• Follow the gravel driveway past a white house on the left.  Continue on to the green house and the parking area at the end of the driveway.  If the area is full, please turn around and park along the side of the driveway or around the barn.

Mapquest will also work: the address to the house where we will meet is 16820 State Route 678, Rockbridge, OH 43149.  Thank you in advance for respecting the fact that this is a private residence.  Crane Hollow is accessible by permit only and on guided hikes with Crane Hollow employees, partners or contractors.

Additional information: Restrooms are available at our meeting place, the Ellis home; however facilities do not exist on the preserve itself.  If you are driving a long distance there is a rest stop on Route 33 just before the Laurelville exit if you are driving from Columbus.  If you are driving from Athens, the rest stop is just past the Laurelville exit. If you have sturdy waterproof boots or shoes, please wear them.  If not, wear sturdy shoes and bring some extra ones to change into for the ride home.  Your feet will get wet.  We will follow old road beds, deer trails and stream beds as we hike.  Crane Hollow does not have an organized system of trails.  Bring your rain gear.  We will hike rain or shine.