West Woods Ohio Hiking Trail Pictures and Movie

The West Woods in Ohio is a 902-acre gem in western Geauga County, which protects the historic sandstone ledges of Ansel's Cave, Silver Creek and its watershed, extensive wetlands, and mature forests. The West Woods Nature Center provides a venue for innovative exhibits that teach the geology, hydrology, and diverse ecology of Geauga County lands. Geauga Park District's intent is to protect this natural area in perpetuity, and utilize the center to provide high quality nature education.

TRAILS:
There are currently over 5 miles of trails in The West Woods, traversing through woodlands, across streams and past outcroppings of Sharon conglomerate sandstone.

West Woods Park Hiking

Pioneer Bridle Trail is open to horseback riders and hikers, making a large loop west of the nature center. Horse trailer parking is available in the north parking lot.

Visit website hikingohioparks.com for more detailed information about The West Woods and many other hiking Ohio park trails. Get the DVD loaded with pictures information and Park Maps.

Ansel's Cave Trail leads from the picnic shelter area to Ansel's Cave. Ansel's Cave Trail Link provides additional access to and from the Nature Center.

Enjoy Discovery Trail, which leads past vernal pools; take Trout Lily Trail to Sunset Overlook; or follow Neighbor's Way from the Nature Center to picnic shelters.

HISTORY:
NATURAL HABITATS:
The West Woods features 900 acres of natural diversity that is not only pleasing to the eye but also provides refuge for a variety of wildlife. Ansel's Cave is composed of ledges of Sharon conglomerate sandstone. Silver Creek is a high quality cold-water stream; protection of its watershed improves water quality for all downstream properties and ultimately impacts the Chagrin River and Lake Erie. A tributary of Silver Creek has become one site for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife project for the reintroduction of the state "threatened" species of brook trout. This small stream is proving to be a successful habitat for the trout. Wetlands, mature forests and reclaimed farm fields provide habitat for a great number of plant and animal species.

Several species listed as potentially threatened have been identified in The West Woods, including the butternut tree; closed gentian and blunt mountain mint wildflowers; tall manna grass and the mourning warbler. Britt Bunyard, Ph.D. found over 100 species of fungi, several being rare in North America.

As the forest continues to mature, the intact habitat becomes increasingly valuable to wildlife, including woodland songbirds, such as tanagers, warblers, thrushes, vireos and flycatchers; as well as pileated woodpeckers, barred owls and others which depend on sizable mature forest stands with undisturbed interiors.

Frogs, toads, and a large variety of salamanders benefit from the abundance of seeps, springs, streams, and both naturally occurring and created wetlands.

FACILITIES:
The West Woods Nature Center is a special feature of this park, which provides a venue for nature education for students of all ages. Its innovative, hands-on exhibits portray how the geology (rocks) and hydrology (water) of Geauga County have given rise to a rich variety of natural communities harboring a great diversity of plants and animals. Allow yourself to be awed by the transformations rocks and water work on the landscape, and be inspired to stewardship.