Glen Helen Nature Preserve/John Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge

Three parks in one hike. 14 miles. I viewed it as The Total Package.

Nature Center, yellow springs, waterfalls, forest, gorge, and cliffs.

August 30th, 2018

Back in April, I was hiking on the 13 mile Perimeter Trail in Caesar Creek State Park. I was putting my cell phone away after a brief chat with my cousin when I noticed a hiker coming towards me. My cousin had strongly recommended that I visit this very park, the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.

Upon approaching the said hiker, we greeted each other, and immediately struck up conversation. Shortly into the conversation, the hiker then strongly recommended that I visit this very park as well. The hiker also said to venture over to John Bryan State Park and hike the historical Pittsburg- Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail.

Within minutes, I had received two significant vibes for the same place. It hit me like something special. I knew right then that someday I was going there and it was going to be amazing. Was it ever.

I make a habit of researching wherever I plan to go for parking, food, fuel, etc… In this case, I found that the best location to park was at the Glen Helen Nature Center. It’s a semi secure lot as you must pay $5 to park. Not that Yellow Springs, Ohio is a high crime rate area, but rather the safer, the better.

I parked and curiously went over to check out the Nature Center. It was a neat place, mostly geared for tourists and children. I ended up getting a shirt which depicted the aerial life of the park.

From there, I wasted no time and jumped on the nearest trail. I knew I was in for at least 11 miles.

I initially noticed many large and unique stone formations. I then came across several water attractions. There were natural springs, streams, waterfalls, and pools of water so clear the image of skinny dipping came to mind.

I then saw this memorial. It provided a pleasant story of the park.

I made my way through the preserve and continued on my planned hike. My plan was to hike clear from Glen Helen through John Bryan to Clifton Gorge, and back. I figured it to be around 3-4 hours.

Up these carefully and generously placed stone steps I went. Before I knew it, I was in John Bryan State Park. This is where I took a striking notice of cobwebs. Thousands of them. I say striking because they were literally hitting me at every angle. Quite the nuisance if I must say.

Finally, I made it out of the woods and into the park. No more cobwebs! Woohoo! Seen below, I came across a backpackers site. Odd, I have an REI tent too. Maybe not so odd being they are one of the biggest outfitter companies in the world.

From here, I made my way across the park to the official Pittsburg-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail.

Here I was, hiking a historical lane from long ago. Smooth at first, it then got rocky. Ankle rolling rocky. Soon after you pass through the park, you come to Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve.

Clifton Gorge. What an amazing gorge it was. It was such a serene setting, with stunning waterfalls, and tranquil foliage. There just aren’t enough words or pictures to describe it. You must see it for yourself.

I got to the end of the trail where the furthest parking lot was, took a short break, and headed back. Being that I had taken several photos and videos, I soaked up too much time on the front end. It was time to kick in the turbos.

As seen above, this bridge was closed. Well, there went part of my plan. I was going to take the south rim trail back, being that I took the north rim trail prior. I then said the heck with it, crossed the bridge, and proceeded to head back on the south rim trail.

A few college boys were trail running, crossed the bridge, and passed me. As I got further down the trail, I saw a set of steps partially submerged in mud. This might explain the sign that said the south rim trail was closed shortly after I crossed the bridge. However, it was no task at all for my Merrell shoes with Vibram soles. Up the steps I went, and turbo speed was back on.

What came next was a nightmare I had never imagined.

I was moving right along when a darn cobweb got me right in the face. Then another, and another. It was the return of the cobwebs tenfold. It was enough havoc to drive you completely bonkers. I eventually had to put my arms up in front of me to catch them before they hit my face. I would stop every so often to wipe them off my arms and legs. I then checked my phone, and sighed when I saw I still had 3 miles to go. I thought, “3 more miles of this torture? Or do I turn back 3 miles, thus adding 6 more miles?”

Then came an even worse condition. The trail was overgrown, primarily because the trail was CLOSED. I began to notice poison ivy all over. I stop. I look back, and here I had already blazed through a ton of it. I look down and see this clear juice all over my legs. I couldn’t think of what plant bleeds like that. Regardless, it felt like my legs were on fire. I immediately started running. I ran as fast as I could, arms up protecting from webs, legs still burning from whatever plant juice that was, and mentally going bezerk trying to get to the car as quick as I could.

At last, I came to a clearing, out of the webs, and away from the poisonous vegetation.

Yeah!! Out of John Bryan State Park and back to the Glen Helen NP!! I was close. A short while went by, and I finally made it back to the parking lot. 14 miles and 5 hours 45 minutes later. I immediately took my backpack off, got out Aloe babywipes and Aloe Purell, and generously lathered my legs and arms. I then took off my socks and shoes, chucked them into the trunk, and wiped down my feet as well. It felt great to put on fresh socks and shoes.

I met a few couples in the parking lot, and elaborated on my experience. They were graceful enough to wish me luck with building this website.

Note: The Sunrise Café is molto delizioso.

Looking back, there are a few things I learned. I should have brought my trekking poles, should have worn pants, or just maybe should not go on trails that are closed. I did get a very light case of poison ivy around my ankles. I kept it clean, dried it out repeated through the day with Aloe Purell, and it went away in a week.