NuclearNed
Raconteur
WARNING: Massive pic warning. 56kers beware.
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I've been in Cleveland the past few days because my dad had heart surgery Tuesday. Everything went well with the surgery, and I had about 3.5 hours to kill Wednesday, so I drove just outside the city to Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
It will be difficult for me to give a trip report on this park without sounding negative; I'm the type of guy who likes to get in the serious backcountry where most people don't go. I've been to almost all of the national parks in the US, and this one is very different from the rest. Most national parks have a major point of interest (i.e. the Grand Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Yellowstone Geyser basins, etc.). Cuyahoga is different; it has no single main feature to draw in the crowds. It is a very nice urban park. The park has lots of golf courses, picnic areas, and other easily accessible recreation places. One oddity about this park is that it is literally set among residential areas; private homes are everywhere.
Most of the trails are paved for casual walkers and bicycle use. There really don't seem to be a whole lot of opportunity to get into the deep woods. That said, interspersed among residential areas there are some pretty nice strands of dense hardwood forest, along with some interesting exposed rock features (cliffs, ledges, etc.). I had enough time to hike to two waterfalls, one of which was pretty but not particularly outstanding. The other waterfall and its ravine (Brandywine Falls) was quite scenic and one of the major features of the park. Fairly close to this waterfall was a nice trail called "The Ledges". It was a 1.75 mile circular trail that ran around the base of a picturesque set of sheer exposed stone cliffs and small caves.
This isn't the sort of park where a person could spend more than a few days exploring. Honestly, I was a little disappointed because it just wasn't as wild and natural as most national parks. That said, I still would probably go back. If I do, I will be sure to take my bike and/or my dog. The people of Cleveland probably love this nice park that is in such close proximity to urban areas.
023
028
040
052
082
099
I've been in Cleveland the past few days because my dad had heart surgery Tuesday. Everything went well with the surgery, and I had about 3.5 hours to kill Wednesday, so I drove just outside the city to Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
It will be difficult for me to give a trip report on this park without sounding negative; I'm the type of guy who likes to get in the serious backcountry where most people don't go. I've been to almost all of the national parks in the US, and this one is very different from the rest. Most national parks have a major point of interest (i.e. the Grand Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Yellowstone Geyser basins, etc.). Cuyahoga is different; it has no single main feature to draw in the crowds. It is a very nice urban park. The park has lots of golf courses, picnic areas, and other easily accessible recreation places. One oddity about this park is that it is literally set among residential areas; private homes are everywhere.
Most of the trails are paved for casual walkers and bicycle use. There really don't seem to be a whole lot of opportunity to get into the deep woods. That said, interspersed among residential areas there are some pretty nice strands of dense hardwood forest, along with some interesting exposed rock features (cliffs, ledges, etc.). I had enough time to hike to two waterfalls, one of which was pretty but not particularly outstanding. The other waterfall and its ravine (Brandywine Falls) was quite scenic and one of the major features of the park. Fairly close to this waterfall was a nice trail called "The Ledges". It was a 1.75 mile circular trail that ran around the base of a picturesque set of sheer exposed stone cliffs and small caves.
This isn't the sort of park where a person could spend more than a few days exploring. Honestly, I was a little disappointed because it just wasn't as wild and natural as most national parks. That said, I still would probably go back. If I do, I will be sure to take my bike and/or my dog. The people of Cleveland probably love this nice park that is in such close proximity to urban areas.
