CANCELLED – Nine Mile Gorge Escarpment Ravine Hike with Dr. Roy Larick

This hike has been cancelled due to inclement weather. We are looking to reschedule in February or March.

About the Hike

The Nine Mile gorge is the ambitious ‘hike of hikes’ for the East Side escarpment. It will run for two hours in unimproved rugged terrain. Safety is paramount. The gorge entry and exit involves a very steep slope across a 60-ft elevation change. This hike requires hikers to be comfortable navigating steep, slippery and at times uneven surfaces.

During the Hike, Dr. Roy Larick will share information about the ecology and natural history of the area, so come prepared to learn!

Nine Mile Gorge

Shale gorges punctuate Cleveland’s East Side Portage Escarpment. All have walls too steep for traditional development. The larger gorges, on Doan, Dugway and Euclid creeks, hold public parks. The smaller ravines are barely touched by humans. Nine Mile is the largest of the latter.

Once at stream level, this special hike will cover 30 acres of gorge floodplain under an open second growth forest. Nine Mile’s surprising anticline pools are unique habitat features. Conservation issues include entrenched channels, scoured aquatic habitat, biological and chemical pollution, and severe deer-browsing.

What to Bring

Sturdy hiking shoes are best for the approach slope. However, we will cross the creek several times with potential for overtopping low shoes. Waterproof knee-highs will keep you dry in the stream, but are not the best for the approach. If you don’t wear at least calf-highs, you’re likely to get wet feet, so an extra change of socks for the ride home might be a good idea.

Where to Meet

The South Euclid Police request that we park at Quarry Park North, 669 S Belvoir Blvd, South Euclid 44121. We will gather there at 10:45, and walk 850 ft north along Belvoir to the gorge entry point on Princeton. We want to begin the gorge descent promptly at 11:00.

Registration

Pre-registration is required as the number of people we can accommodate is limited. Attendance is free, however donations are always welcome!