Off the Beaten Path with AOA-Hocking Hills Waterfall and Wildflower Photography

Sunday April 23.

Waterfall and Wildflower Hike in the Hocking Hills

Celebrate Earth Day with an Outdoor Nature Experience

Note:  This Event is for Photographers Only

As if all the varieties of spring ephemerals were not enough, the sounds of waterfalls soothe the soul and provide endless photographic possibilities.

Come join us on a photographer’s only outing to explore the bounty of nature subjects.  We will visit several beautiful waterfalls located on private property soon to be conserved by AOA.  Reaching heights of over 70 feet, the waterfalls are bordered by wildflowers that will offer a perfect opportunity to be fully present in the moment. We hope all the worries of the day potentially fade away while you are at these locations!

We will preview AOA’s soon to be added Menchhofer Preserve in the heart of the Hocking Hills.  AOA is purchasing this 86-acre site from Vera Nixon, who seeks to honor her late husband, Larry Menchhofer, a former Hocking Hills realtor, AOA conservation supporter and board member.  Larry and Vera previously donated a conservation easement on their neighboring home site.

Located just west of Ash Cave, the Menchhofer Preserve contains spectacular Hocking Hills geology, including a deep gorge, four waterfalls, high sandstone bluffs, a large cave, hemlock forests, and a high-quality stream tributary of Queer Creek.  The preserve is part of AOA’s Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative which seeks to conserve natural features, landscapes, habitats, heritage areas and water quality in this special Ohio region.

Kathryn Cubert and Carol Shurlow, AOA photographers, will be leading this hike.  The primary focus of our visit will be to take images of four waterfalls on the site.  One of them, Double Falls, is particularly stunning with two levels of falling water.  A couple are surrounded by high Black-hand sandstone walls and a beautiful deep gorge typical of those found in the Hocking Hills.

We will get an early start to take advantage of soft morning light. Bring your tripods, wide angle, telephoto and macro lenses, neutral density and polarizing filters.  This event will not be instructional in nature.

This hike and other AOA events are free and open to the public.  This event will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on slopes. We will postpone the event in the event hard rains are expected during the hike.  Much of the area we will cover can be easily accessed but there will be a couple of places where we will be required to navigate relatively steep slopes to access the gorge.  We will be walking through shallow streams while in the gorge. Don’t forget to wear hiking boots.

What to Bring:  Snacks, lunch and/or drinks of your choice.  We will be taking our time there to fully enjoy the peace and serenity of the deep forest environ.  Insect repellant of choice is recommended during tick season.

Time:  Participants should arrive at the parking area prior to 7:00 a.m.  Please plan ahead to arrive on time.  The hike will last a minimum of four hours if attendees want to see all of the falls at a photographer’s pace.  Participants can leave earlier or stay longer.

Registration Required for Photographers Attending:  We are limiting the number of spots to provide an enjoyable experience for all.  Photographers must register on Eventbrite to attend.  Register on Eventbrite through the following link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aoa-waterfalls-and-wildflowers-tickets-617713085467

Location:  There is very limited space for parking on the property. We will rendezvous at the west end of the Ash Cave parking lot and caravan and /or carpool the 2.3 miles to the Preserve property as needed, depending on the number of participant vehicles.  The street address is 26400 Highway 56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152.

Google Map Link to the Ash Cave Parking Area: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ash+Cave+Main+Parking+Area/@39.3958705,-82.5463082,211m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x8847c014758fca35:0x152f3db0f0c5118!2s26400+OH-56,+South+Bloomingville,+OH+43152!3b1!8m2!3d39.3961244!4d-82.5455998!16s%2Fg%2F11tfkq7hsc!3m5!1s0x8847c1f299ffe61d:0xed58293d19b719e9!8m2!3d39.3955475!4d-82.5463271!16s%2Fg%2F11j8v63kjc