Archers Fork Trail Trek, Sept 24-26, 2004

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Dave McGee (OH/In-Rep, COHT) standing outside of the Great Cave and infront of the smaller cave Dave McGee (OH/IN-Rep, COHT) standing on top of the Natural Bridge Blackie or Jim McClure, sitting by the fire in the Great Cave Our first nights camp site where we were surrounded by the Coyotes Dave McGee (OH/IN-Rep, COHT) underneath the Natural Bridge Dave McGee again under the Natural Bridge on the up-hill side of the bridge This is a view of the Great Cave as we were returning to the trail head Another view of the Great Cave from the trail above Dave McGee (OH/IN-Rep, COHT) pointing out the Great Cave View of the surrounding woods from the trail View of the surrounding woods from the trail Dave McGee on the trail Blackie or Jim McClure on the trail Blackie resting from a trip over the ravine for water, this was camp for the second night Strange, single leafed, six lobed, very thick leaf... strange unknown plant was found all around our second nights camp View of the woods from our second nights camp Another view from the second nights camp, lots of large rocks A view into the ravine that Blackie climbed, staggered, fell into to get us water... the canteen survived Blackie, minor surgery View from the Natural Bridge to the ridge, above that large rock was our second nights camp BIGFOOT!! Thats a view of Blackie from my advantage point beneath the Natural Bridge looking back up the ravine, see the rocks at the top of the photo Theres a view of Blackie on the natural Bridge as I stand in the ravine infront of the Natural Bridge The Natural Bridge This is a view from inside the Great Cave looking out, the morning of the second day A view of the Great Cave from a top of the ravine Blackie making tea and Bacon the morning of the second day

The Great Cave, is a massive rock house with a smaller cave or rock house adjacent to it. It could comfortably sleep some thirty hunters or Inidan Spies. Part of the North Country Trail, this trail also provides a loop which can be used by day hikers. The 9.5-mile trail traverses the most scenic parts of the Irish and Jackson Run areas. This area is among the most rugged and unique in the Forest. Hikers will see numerous rock shelters and outcroppings. One point of interest on this trail will be the Irish Run Natural Bridge. Erosion and natural weathering have created a hole beneath a massive sandstone rock. Natural bridges are uncommon in Ohio; the bridge at Irish Run is one of only 7 in Ohio. The trail takes the hikers over the arch which is some 50 feet long, 16 feet thick, and 39 feet above the ground. The bridge lies along an upper slope in a steep hollow. It was formed by stream erosion and weathering. The center section of the huge sandstone formation was softer and gradually eroded through and broke off along joint planes forming a hole under the massive rock wall. The remaining rock in the bridge section has a higher iron content and was more resistant to weathering. Large blocks of sandstone that once formed a window before they broke away are still present in the gully below. The rock is Permian-age quartz sandstone, deposited as sediment when the oceans receded.
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