Poeaxtry's Prism

Spell. Stone. & Sparks that Ignite Change

Tag: mohican state park

  • Mohican Covered Bridge: Quiet Ending Woodsy Day

    The Covered Bridge at Mohican State Park was the third and final stop of our short morning out. Which happened to be right after I got off work overnight on Sunday, August 3rd. (Which was Saturday nights shift by night math) I wasn’t sure how long we’d actually be out, but it felt like we still had one last stop in us before heading home. The Covered Bridge made the perfect choice.

    Mohican State Forrest covered bridge
    Covered Bridge Mohican

    This one’s a classic, with the wide wooden beams, but different in lacking the old red color. It sports the color black and though faded it feels right. The Clear Fork River flows right underneath. You don’t have to hike to reach it at all… so another for the easily accessible theme. You can just drive right up, park nearby, and walk across or around it. There is a steady calm feeling here. Even with the few people I encountered around. You hear the river. You feel like the trees lean in a little closer.

    Luna and I didn’t take the full trail next to the bridge, just a small part of it. I wanted to get a few side shots of the bridge itself, and Luna was clearly still in an exploring mood. The trail ran alongside the water for a bit, framed with late-summer greenery, and I spotted all kinds of mushrooms just off the path. More than a few bright, orange like those from Blue Rock. A lot popping out from the sides of downed trees like they’d just emerged the battle on top.

    Trees, river , and side view of covered bridge. Photo taken from trail
    Photo of bridge, Forrest, and river taken from trail

     Unexpectedly enough it also felt nostalgic in a way. I was reminded of the covered bridge in Belmont County. The one next to my old high school. We took senior photos and class group shots there, but mostly it was where we snuck off to smoke reefers and escape whatever was going on that day. Seeing a bridge like that again, tucked into the woods out here, hit different. It felt familiar in the best way. Even though this one’s in use and their different colors I welcome the pleasure of a fond memory.

    River view through the trees from the trail
    River view

    This was just one of those slow, winding little forest detours that makes the whole morning feel more complete. We’d already completed the Fire Tower and the Gorge Overlook. This was just the extra bonus. It even reminded me a little of home. I felt relaxed and in my element without the need to rush. Just to feel the forest, with my baby dog who wasn’t quite ready to go home yet. And that’s okay because honestly I never am either.

    All photos from the day

    ko-fi

  • Mohican Gorge Overlook: Easy Access to One of Ohio’s Best Forest Views

    Mohican Gorge Overlook: Easy Access to One of Ohio’s Best Forest Views

    View of Mohican state Forrest from the Overlok
    Overlook view

    Sunday, August 3rd. After working all night, I decided to head out for a little fresh air and nature reset with Luna. Our second stop of three that morning at Mohican State Park was the Gorge Overlook. What I love about this place is how easy it is to get to. You pull into the parking lot right at the edge of the gorge, park your car, and just walk a few steps to the overlook itself. Luna was happy to roam around in the shade and sniff the quiet woods while I took in the view.

    The forest stretched wide and deep below us, thick with green trees that filled the valley and climbed the gorge walls across from us. You are just able to see a spot or two of the tell tale discoloration that will soon spread to most these trees. Though, the early August sunlight filtered softly through the canopy, casting patches of light and shadow along the trail and the stone wall at the overlook. That quickly erased any thoughts of the impending autumn. We attempted to walk the 1.4-mile loop trail behind the overlook, and we did but I doubt it was graceful. This trail is steep and complete with stairs and a fun swinging bridge.

    What made the trip even better was how close the Mohican Fire Tower was, just a five-minute drive from the overlook parking lot. We had visited the tower first, enjoying the panoramic aerial view. Then we came over to the gorge for a different kind of quiet POV from the trees perspective. Doing both back-to-back took less than an hour and a half, including time to soak in the sights and let Luna wander.

    Standing at the overlook as the morning sun lit the trees, the scene was calm and alive. The green stretched as far as I could see, the air cool in the shade, and the forest quiet except for distant bird calls. It’s the kind of place where you can pause and feel the size of nature all around you. Where you visibly can see the impending autumn, but still allow the lure of never ending summer steal you away.

    If you want a quick, no-fuss nature stop at Mohican that’s easy to access, dog-friendly, has restrooms and picnic spots, then the Gorge Overlook is for you. The loop trail is perfection and chaos. It’s a peaceful place to breathe in the woods or just sit and watch the forest go on forever. Paired with the steepest 1.4 miles of my life and a cute bridge.

    All photos

    Links