Ranger Led Hike To The Beaver Marsh

We'd been on the go all day but we weren't finished yet.  The Park Rangers were doing a guided hike in the Beaver Marsh so we decided to head over and see if we could see any beavers.

It wasn't much of a hike.  The two female rangers walked us into the Beaver Marsh where we had been before in the day light.  After that they were more of a distraction than anything else.  The rangers kept talking and laughing with people the whole time they stayed and they stayed until it was too dark to get pictures.  It was really disappointing.  

I wandered away from the rangers when we first got there and actually saw a beaver floating toward me so I went to get Lee because he had the camera.  He did manage to see him and it would have been a great shot, but I also managed to get the attention of the rangers so they started calling to everyone and made so much noise that the beaver went under water.  I'm not quite sure that these rangers knew what they are doing.    They told us that was their first beaver sighting.  I wonder why!!  I guess we'll have to come back on our own some night when the rangers aren't out!

We did have a pretty sunset and this was a nice shot with the heron sitting in the tree over the marsh.

The Ledges Area Of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

If you ever need a "scenery fix" there is nothing like hiking around one of our National Parks to perk you up.  After our walk on the boardwalks leading to Brandywine Falls, we got back in the truck and headed for a picnic area and found a nice spot at the Octogon Shelter, a nice pavillion next to a large open field.  

After we were rejuvenated from lunch, we set off for 

our next area of exploration - The Ledges Trail.  We didn't walk the whole trail but we certainly hiked far enough to feel the difference in temperature as we walked through the cool, moist hemlock forest.  As we walked we took pictures of the 300-million-year-old Sharon Conglomerate rock formations.  The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Ledges are located within the Virginia Kendall Park Area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

I had to quit watching these couple of kids that were jumping from ledge to ledge and having a great time.  I was wondering how long it would take for medics to get to this area of the park!  They had no qualms or fears whatsoever and so I was happy when they managed to get themselves down the ledges far enough that we could no longer see or hear them!  I imagine that they survived but their guardian angels certainly have their work cut out for them!

Such a beautiful place for a hike and so restful once the two dare-devil kids could not longer be seen or heard but it was time to go explore another area of the park!

Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

We packed a picnic lunch today and headed for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park which is between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.  This National Park is more urban than any of the other National Parks we've visited.  In fact, it gets a little confusing as you are driving around because you continue to go in and out of the park!  


Our first stop was at Brandywine Falls.  You can park and take a short trail and boardwalk to the falls.

Entrance and path to the falls

Boardwalk through the trees

Our first view of the falls through the trees

Not a lot of water coming down - a lot of drought in the area

There was just a trickle of water going over the top of the falls so they were not as impressive as they have been in years past.  One woman we met said this was the least amount of water going over these falls that she has seen.    

What is left of  the old Champion Electric Company

We passed the ruins of the Champion Electric Company that produced restaurant appliances until 1937 when the factory was destroyed by lightning.   This factory was built near the ruins of the Old Grist Mill and we didn't see any sign of the Grist Mill ruins.  This was the last industry in Brandywine Village.

The brink of the falls

Mary at the site of the burned down Champion Electric Co.

Lee on part of the boardwalk

Brandywine Falls is 60' tall.  The rocks here at the base of the falls were formed millions of years ago.  Brandywine Creek and this bridal veil cascade began about 10,000 years ago after the last Ice Age.  Even with the drought, the falls are pretty impressive.  We would have loved to see them when they were really flowing well. 

Nice boardwalks but lots of steps too!

Lee and Mary at Brandywine Falls

I love it when there is someone who wants their picture taken because we can take theirs and they can take a picture of us.  Otherwise, we never would have a couples picture!

The falls were impressive but the walk along the boardwalk with the tall trees and the rock formations along the boardwalk were interesting too!

 

Next we are heading to the Ledges part of the park.