Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Day 3
The Ledges Trail, A Farewell to Cuyahoga Valley
Our last hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was on The Ledges Trail, a 1.8-mile loop, within the Virginia Kendall Park Historic District. Cuyahoga Valley was only federally protected 50 years ago, initially as a National Recreation Area for 25 years, until 2000, when it was designated as a National Park. We, however, noticed that elements in the Virginia Kendall Park Historic District were developed by the CCC almost a century ago, such as the Stone Staircase, which beautifully blends into the surrounding rock formations.
The ledges visually resemble the Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills State Park, although their geological origins differ. Cuyahoga Valley’s ledges are estimated to be around 315-320 million years old. These unique features are composed of pebbles and sand deposited by high-energy streams flowing from the rising Appalachian Mountains. Erosion then carved massive walls, creating alcoves, crevices, and “slot canyon-ish” sections. Moss, ferns, and lichens cover the rocks, adding to their unique beauty. Another distinctive feature was the noticeably cooler microclimate in the ledges caused by the dense canopy and deep crevices. At the Ledges Overlook, we took in the broad view of the forested Cuyahoga Valley. With fall colors, the view must be so spectacular.
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Our final visit was a truly worthy farewell (for now) to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It again highlighted why Cuyahoga Valley stands out as a national park with a multifaceted appeal that offers a broad variety of natural, cultural, and historic components.