You may also want to see About Outings
for description of Outings, Friday Night Hikes, and the Outings Rating System (E/S).
Friday, July 25 -- Friday Night Hike, Ohio State University – Main Campus, Ratings: E/S 1/2
Come enjoy the serenity of OSU’s main campus on a mid-summer’s evening. Meet at 7 pm at the Tuttle Park Recreation Center at the end of W. Oakland Ave. which is west of Neil Ave. We’ll cross the Olentangy River at Lane Ave. and walk through the Chadwick Arboretum before heading back across the Olentangy on the footbridge by the Drake Union. Our route will include Mirror Lake and the Oval. We’ll find a restaurant in the area for an optional dinner afterwards. Contact leaders for further information.
Sunday, July 27 -- Lake Hope Day Hike and Swim, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Join us for a 5-7 mile hike around Lake Hope followed by an optional refreshing swim in the lake to cool off after the hike. The terrain is rolling with some small but steep hills. Our pace and distance will depend on the weather. The hike includes a brief stop at the Lake Hope Furnace where we can learn about how furnaces in this region were used to make iron for the Civil War. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and a towel and bathing suit if you are interested in swimming. Meet at 9 am behind McDonald’s at Route 33 and Gender Rd. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, August 1 -- Friday Night Hike II, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1
The flat to gently-rolling trails through woodlands, prairies, and fields make this one of our easiest parks to walk. We'll be walking on both the unpaved nature trail and the paved multi-use trail. 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.
Friday, August 1 -- Friday Night Hike I, 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.
Sunday, August 3 -- Kenyon College, Kokosing Gap Bike Trail Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/3
This is a 9+ mile hike on the Kokosing Gap Bike Trail and around the Kenyon College campus in Gambier. Please bring plenty of water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Meet at 9 am at the Target parking lot just west of I-71 on Polaris Parkway. Contact leader for further information.
Wednesday, August 6 -- 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, August 8 -- Friday Night Hike II, Whetstone Park Dog Hike and Pot Luck, Ratings: E/S 1/1
This will be a 3.5 mile walk on Whetstone Park trails, the bike path and the streets of Clintonville. Everyone is welcome to attend with or without a dog. All dogs must be on non-retractable leashes and must be compatible with other dogs. We will have a potluck at Whetstone Park after the hike (we suggest simple finger-food type snacks). Meet at 7 pm at the casting pond (last parking lot in the park). Whetstone Park is located midway between N. Broadway and Henderson Rd. on High Street. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, August 8 -- Friday Night Hike I, Three Creeks Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Our hike is on dirt packed slopes and dry stream beds. With dry conditions we will tramp through the undeveloped trails along the confluence. An alternative route is planned if conditions dictate. Meet at 7 pm by restrooms in the parking lot near the Bixby Road entrance. From I-270, take US 33 east to the South Hamilton Road exit. Turn right and go about 1 mile to Bixby Road and turn right. The entrance is about 1 mile on the right. Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, August 10 -- Green Lawn Day Walk, Ratings: E/S 2/2
We will walk 3-4 miles through historical Green Lawn Cemetery to enjoy the beautiful old trees of this arboretum and watch for notable tombstones. This area is also popular for birdwatching. Meet at 10 am at the front cemetery parking lot. Bring water and a snack. Directions: Take the Greenlawn exit from I-71 (just south of downtown Columbus where 315 merges with I-71) and go west to cemetery parking lot. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, August 15 -- Friday Night Hike II, Highbanks Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2
Meet at 7 pm at the Nature Center. There will be some hills on this hike, so please be prepared and remember to bring some water. Contact leaders for further information.
Friday, August 15 -- Friday Night Hike I, Black Dog Farm, Ratings: E/S 2/3
Join us for a new Friday night hike at Black Dog Farm. We'll walk about 3 miles at a good pace but will stop occasionally to admire the beauty of this hilly property. The farm is located at 7213 Morse Road in Alexandria, about 11 miles east of Hwy 62. If you wish to carpool, meet at the corner of Hwy 62 and Morse Road (by Coldwell Banker and Donato's Pizza) where the co-leader Tom Ruf will be from 6:30 until 6:45 pm. If you are driving eastbound directly to the farm, turn right from Morse Road, follow the dirt road for approximately 1/4 mile until you see a cabin on the left, and park there. Plan on arriving by 7 pm. Wear sturdy footwear in case we encounter wet areas. Co-Leaders: Line Martineau and Tom Ruf. Contact leader for further information.
Sunday, August 17 -- Great Seal State Park Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 4/5
This is one of our youngest state parks and takes its name from the emblem of Ohio which it helped to inspire. Great Seal is situated on the western edge of the Appalachian Plateau and offers views of the Scioto Valley to the west and south. This 9+ mile hike spans the southern region, the hilly Bunker Hill and Mt Ives Trails, and then extends northward to Sand Hill Trail. It is a strenuous hike on unglaciated steep hills and ridgetops. Bring water, lunch, suitable attire and meet at 9 am behind Tim Hortons in the Great Southern Shopping Center on US 23 just north of I-270. Contact leader for further information.
Friday, August 22 -- Friday Night Hike, 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.
Sunday, August 24 -- Hocking Hills Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4
This is a dog-friendly hike. Everyone is welcome, with or without a dog. The scenery in and around Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Rose Lake, and Ash Cave is unequaled for its beauty and serenity. See and learn about the gritty, reddish stone, called Blackhand Sandstone, and how it was left behind more than 200 million year ago when Ohio’s ancient ocean drained from the land. We will be hiking 12 miles at a brisk pace through some challenging hills, so please be aware of your hiking abilities and limitations. Bring lunch, water and hiking boots and meet at 9 am behind McDonald’s at Route 33 and Gender Rd. Contact leader for further information.
