Time to shake out the extra calories from Christmas! Let's do an afternoon hike at Rowe Woods (Cincinnati Nature Center - 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford OH 45150) on Sunday, the 27th.

I am picking this one for several reasons. It is one of the best hiking parks in the area, with trails ranging from easy to moderate (nearly 20 miles of them), with some fairly recent additions. In talking to other people in the Hiking Club, I find that it also seems to be one of the best kept secrets in the Cincinnati area. A surprising number of people do not seem to know of its existence. It is also fairly close for most. The outer trails are usually not much used, so a quality hike without crowding is quite practical.

We will start at 12:00 AM to allow some extra time for snow conditions. Let's meet in the Main parking lot of the Nature Center beside the large bulletin board showing a park map.

This will be a middle distance hike over moderate trails. Exact trails will be selected dependent upon weather conditions at the time. If it is cold enough to freeze the trails (as is predicted) we will probably do the Geology to the Redwing and Whitetail loop, and then the Edge trail to the Upland and onto the Lookout trail. I am setting the route to avoid some stairways that can get dangerous in icy conditions. This is a connected loop of trails totaling about five and a half miles. Per the request of the Nature Center, group size will be restricted to 15.

Please go to the "Files" section of this website and read "Joe's Rules" for my hikes.

Temperature is predicted to be in the high 20s, with snow and some wind. Dress accordingly. If you have not previously done so, this would be a good time to review Darryl's articles on clothing and equipment also in the "Files" section. In a nutshell - layer, using clothing of synthetics and/or wool, good boots are a necessity (double socks, thin inner and heavy outer - both wicking, would be good), desired personal articles in a day pack, water (2 liters recommended). A staff or trekking poles are quite useful anytime, but are particularly so in snow/ice.

Dogs are permitted, provided you clean up after them (deposit cans are provided at various trail junctions). However, in ice and snow, dogs may have difficulty with some trail sections, and may not be a good idea for this hike.

There is an admission charge at the gate of $5.00 per person for those who do not have a membership, and this is deductible at the gift shop at the Nature Center, and is deductible against a membership.

This event was supported by Columbia Sportswear. Let them know that you appreciate their support of your hiking club by clicking on their logo/name in the "Our Sponsors" box to the left (below Scotty's picture). Clicking on their logo/name lets them know that the Tri-State Hiking Club values their contribution, and helps ensure they will continue the relationship.