HAWK MOUNTAIN

HAWK MOUNTAIN - LOOKOUT TRAIL HIKE

Our hiking adventure today was one of the best yet as we went to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near the Appalachian Trail. Living in this area for the past 15 years I hadn't been here yet - and regret now that I waited this long. The Sanctuary is located off 61N turning right at the red light north of Port Clinton and then a right hand turn about 3 miles down the road. By driving up the mountain you avoid the long hike to the ridge (like the appalachian trail pinnacle hike) and start with a great view right off the bat! There is a fee to enter this park though and there is a ranger station located at the entrance so you have to pay. We bought the $40.00 family pass and it was a great deal because it is good for nearly a year and a half and beats the $5.00 a pop admission to the trail out of season and $7.00 in season Sept - Oct when the hawks and migratory birds come through. We figured there was so much to do here and to come back and see the birds in the fall that it was well worth it!

Warning: I would like to put this in as I know some of you have brought your kids to a hike or two from reading this blog (which is great!).....this is a great place to hike and very safe and VERY FUN!..... BUT there are many places where there are dangerous drops and cliffs.....the main trail is very smooth and steady but the Lookout Trail does get fairly rocky after the Bald Lookout.....The Escarpment Trail is VERY rocky and involves some low level climbing (bouldering) with hands free so if you have kids that can do this that's great....ours loved it but you don't want to get stuck carrying kids on this trail..enough said and HAVE FUN :)

Upon entering the grounds you hike up about 600 feet to the first lookout (South Lookout) 1300 feet up. The view is awesome! On a normal day this is a great place to rest and take in the birds! There is a bird counter that they write on to document the birds flying in and out of the area. Look for Golden Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks and Ospreys among others...

Looking at the many different birds we can possibly see!

The Awesome South Lookout View!

Another View from a side perch of the South Lookout 1300 feet down!

From here we decided today to do the Full Lookout Trail to the North Lookout with a few stops in between (Sunset Outlook and The Slide)....to the left you run into a set of 4 more lookouts with beautiful views of the valley....this trail is very flat and gravel placed so a very easy quarter mile hike. I will post some of these in my next Hawk Mountain Hike Blog...

Posing for a picture on the natural wooden bench!

After the last lookout point Bald Lookout the Lookout Trail gets pretty rocky...our kids loved it...real hiking they said! There are a few natural steps and bridges that made this trail really fun....they liked to climb the rocks and ledges and had lots of fun!

Like this rocky!!!

Crossing a Bridge!!

Loving the Rocky Steps!!

Snack Break on the Green Moss Mountain!!!

The Lookout Trail goes about half a mile through the rocky trails and then comes to a series of natural rock steps and then a cross road. To the left is the Sunset lookout.....straight ahead is The Slide and to the right is the last section of trail to the North Lookout....we choose the Sunset Lookout First.....This was a level 5 trail and again needs the ability to boulder climb with hands free so use caution...

The Trail in Front of Us...Right Over the Rock Pile!

Working Our Way Up!

The End View!!!!

After climbing down we went to the Slide....I didn't take pictures of it this time...will add them to the next Hawk Mountain Blog but it was a path for rocks mined from the mountain to be pushed down the face of the mountain to a stone processor below...not much to look at but a neat piece of history. The slide is fenced in and at this time of year the lookout was overgrown by trees so you couldn't see that much....we then went to the right and headed to the North Lookout!

Up the last set of natural steps...this was pretty cool!!

The mini lookout!

The North Lookout...this was really cool! 

Another View!

The North Lookout has another boulder field on top of the mountain...if you go out to the field you can connect with the Skyline Trail...level 6 and large steep inclines....our little ones aren't ready for that yet so we took the loop back and choose the Escarpment Trail ...another level 5....if you go this way be ready...our little ones loved it! They boulder pretty much the whole way (half mile or so) and you have two more scenic lookouts....BUT it is very rocky and needs some small hand climbing spots as you go over two ridge lines....

The Escarpment Trail!

Some Bouldering!

Chillin after a climb down a ridge!

They did it!!!

Family Pic on the South Lookout!!!

From here we went back down to the parking area...there is a neat flower garden (Native Woods) to walk through and stop in the visitors center for a popsicle and other treats! We found an awesome field picture guide to Mushrooms...our favorite thing to take pictures of on the trail! 

The nature pond in the Native Garden!

Posing at the Hawk Mountain Statue!

Overview:  Awesome day hike and lots of great lookouts and overlooks! The kids loved the rocky sections the best and had a great time on the Escarpment trail climbing up, over and around boulder sized rocks....not for the meek but if they can do it go for it!