Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve, Nature preserve in Hocking County, United States
Conkle's Hollow is a gorge carved through sandstone cliffs that rise steeply above the valley floor and narrow significantly in places. Dense ferns and hemlock trees cover the valley bottom, creating shade that persists throughout the day.
W.J. Conkle carved his name into the sandstone wall in 1797, giving the gorge its permanent name. This act of marking the site sparked a tradition that continued for generations as visitors left their own marks.
The site holds meaning for hikers who seek out remote canyons and appreciate landscapes shaped by geological forces alone. Its narrow passages and steep walls create a sense of stepping into a place largely unchanged by human activity.
The lower route spans roughly one kilometer and accommodates wheelchairs, while the upper route covers about three kilometers over steeper ground. Visitors should choose based on their fitness level and bring appropriate footwear for uneven surfaces.
For generations, visitors have carved their names into the sandstone walls, creating an unintended record of people who passed through before the site became protected. The overlapping marks tell a story of repeated visits spanning more than a century.
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