Gorge Metropark Hiking Trail Pictures Movie Gorge Metropark Gorge Trail is in Ohio and lies above the north bank of the Cuyahoga River at the furthest southern reach of the river. After the river flows through the trail, it heads back north to Lake Erie. The major features along the trail are sharon conglomerate ledges which dominate the scene for most of the length of the trail. When hiking this trail, you will notice a number of features along the way. One of the more common phenomena is "pudding stone" which appears as small round stones embedded within the sandstone of the ledges, giving the rocks the appearance of a chunky english pudding.
 Gorge Metropark trail winds its way among the broken up rocks that have fallen from the ledges over the years. Muddy areas in the trail are caused by numberous seeps and springs. These springs are formed when the water, which flows through the porous sandstone, meets the relatively impermeable shale which lies beneath the sandstone ledges. The shale is formed of compressed and hardened clay, and will not let the water sink any further into the earth, so the water is forced to travel horizontally along the shale until it reaches an edge, hence the springs and seeps that are common at the base of sandstone ledges in the Gorge Metropark trail.
 After the Gorge Metropark passes by Mary Cambell Cave, it crosses some small streams, and heads uphill until you are near the top of the ledges. In this area, the trail goes through several rock crevices.
 Soon, you will hike down the trail with the help of a newly constructed set of wooden stairs. At this point, the trail turns back toward the parking lot. This section of trail is closer to the river. From here you will have the opportunity to see rapids on the river, as well as get a different perspective on the ledges at the top of the trail area.
 The forests along the Gorge Metropark trail are composed mainly of oaks (Quercus spp.) but there is a smattering of birches (Betula spp.) and Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) as well. The birches and hemlocks need a cool environment, and the ledges with their numerous seeps and their shade provide this.
 As you hike, the the Gorge Metropark Trail, the roar of the water rushing over the dam is everpresent. Now, you will see the dam from its most impressive side. At the very bottom of the dam is the last cascade of the Big Falls, for which Cuyahoga Falls is named. (The falls still present near downtown Cuyahoga Falls are the Little Falls.) This small cascade is the only visible portion of the Big Falls, as the remainder of the falls is now under the lake created by the dam before you. The dam is always spectacular at the trail.
 The Gorge and Glens Trail Gorge Metropark was probably was cut during the past 12,000 years, after glacial debris blocked the former route of the Cuyahoga River near modern downtown Akron and caused the river to find its present course. The rushing water flows over a shale riverbed between ledges made of Sharon Conglomerate. Oak, Blackgum, Tuliptree, and Yellow Birch are common in the woods that cover the valley walls. Springs flow from the ledges at one spot along the Glens Trail, which provides the water source needed for liverwort.
 Trails: Symbol Trail Name Length Description: Glens 1.8 miles Gentle; Hike Gorge 1.8 miles Steep; Hike Mary Campbell Cave .6 mile Gentle; Hike High Bridge 3.2 miles Moderate; Hike |
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