OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

I swear I coulda got lost in Hocking Hills for a week and not minded a bit. The trails wind everywhere, and every single time you think "oh that’s gotta be the last waterfall"—NOPE, another one jumps outta nowhere.


Did Old Man’s Cave first (big crowd, but worth it), then hit Cedar Falls. Got all turned around at Ash Cave—soaked my shoes, laughed, kept walkin.


We packed peanut butter sammiches and ate ’em sittin on a rock by a creek, watchin two chipmunks fight over a crumb.


Best time for pics: after a rain, but also? You WILL get muddy.


What’s y’alls favorite hidden spot? We missed Whispering Cave somehow and now I’m mad about it.


#hockinghills #ohiowaterfalls #hikemidwest

Man, I got lost in Hocking too—followed a deer trail by accident, nearly ended up in a mud bog. Found my way back by followin folks with wet socks, lol.


Pro tip: bring extra granola bars, you will get hungry.


Rock House is wild, echoey and kinda spooky at dusk. Don’t forget bug spray, them gnats are relentless.

We did a sunrise hike, thought we’d have it to ourselves but ran into a whole troop of birdwatchers with huge cameras and too much coffee. Listened to em argue about if a bird was a thrush or a wren.


The fog rolling over the trees is outta this world.


Don’t skip Conkle’s Hollow. Narrow cliffs, big views.


Also: why does every trail here feel like uphill both ways?

Ate trail mix with M&Ms, never saw em again (chipmunks win again). Water at Cedar Falls COLD, dont jump.


Bring dry shoes.

I went lookin for Whisperin Cave, never found it, found a bunch of muddy dogs instead. Met a family makin s’mores in the parking lot, said they got rained out but still had fun.


Keep your phone charged, no service half the time. Trails get real slick after a rain.


Oh, and don’t feed the raccoons (they bold).

Cedar Falls in spring, whole trail’s green and alive. Got a waterfall pic that looked like a postcard (accident, promise).


Old Man’s Cave gets busy weekends, but if you go real early or after dinner you’ll have it mostly to yourself.


What shoes do y’all wear for all the rocks? I’ve torn up three pairs so far.


Bring a raincoat, don’t trust the weather report!

Ever see a waterfall freeze up here? Looks wild, like a glass sculpture.


Where’s the best spot for a picnic if you wanna avoid the crowds?