Trails & Ales! Clear Creek Metro Park / Double Edge Brewing

History

Long before it became a haven for central Ohio hikers, the deep valley of Clear Creek Metro Park was carved over millennia by glacial meltwaters and natural erosion. This geologic process left behind dramatic Black Hand sandstone cliffs, rugged gorges, and deep ravines that echo the scenery of the neighboring Hocking Hills. As Columbus expanded through the 20th century, the park system primarily focused on developing regional parks closer to Franklin County like Blacklick Woods or Blendon Woods. The remote Clear Creek Valley in Rockbridge remained largely untouched, existing as a hidden ecological treasure of rare plant colonies, hemlock forests, and nesting warblers. However, this pristine wilderness faced an existential crisis in the late 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a massive public works project.

The federal government drew up plans to dam the valley and transform the entire canyon into a massive recreational reservoir. Realizing that the rising floodwaters would permanently destroy the valley's distinct ecosystem, three visionary private landowners stepped up to defend the land. Known affectionately by park historians as the "Three Bs" of Clear Creek, the Allen F. Beck family, Emily Benua, and Oscar L. Barnebey began strategically coordinating efforts to outmaneuver the federal government. They recognized that the most effective shield against the reservoir was to transfer their land holdings under strict legal protections that a dam project could not easily dissolve.

The first major legal defense fell into place in 1973 when the Beck family of Columbus gifted an initial 1,159 acres to the Columbus Metro Parks board. They attached a strict stipulation requiring that three-quarters of the donated land be formally designated as a protected state nature preserve. Emily Benua reinforced this firewall by leaving her 662-acre estate to the state preserve system in her will, ensuring it would remain a wildlife sanctuary for scientific and aesthetic purposes forever. Meanwhile, Oscar Barnebey’s land, which had hosted a church youth camp since 1928 and later served as an Ohio State University natural resources lab, was eventually acquired by the park system to bridge the properties together. Under the weight of these ironclad environmental restrictions and mounting public advocacy, the federal government officially abandoned the reservoir project.

With the threat of the dam eliminated, Metro Parks spent the next two decades meticulously buying surrounding parcels and drafting a highly specialized master plan. Unlike urban Metro Parks where roughly 20 percent of the footprint is developed for heavy recreation like playgrounds or sports fields, Clear Creek was planned almost entirely for total wilderness conservation. In 1995, Clear Creek Metro Park officially opened its gates to the public with 3,800 acres of protected forest. Local residents quickly embraced the park as a primitive retreat, marveling at local landmarks like "Leaning Lena" -- the massive overhanging rock near the park entrance that is steeped in local folklore.

Since its formal opening, Metro Parks has continued to steadily expand the boundaries of this southern sanctuary through strategic conservation grants and land partnerships. By purchasing adjacent properties like the hemlock-shrouded ravines of Fern Gully from the Arc of Appalachia, the park has grown to encompass over 5,470 total acres. The crown jewel of this expanse remains the Allen F. Beck State Nature Preserve, which blankets over 4,700 acres and stands proudly as the largest dedicated state nature preserve in all of Ohio. Today, lifelong Columbus residents view the park as the ultimate wilderness escape within the system, keeping the visionary legacy of the "Three Bs" alive with every quiet step along the trails.

Map of the Park

Here is a map of Clear Creek.

Summary

For these event, we will hike just under 5 miles on the Creekside Meadows, Fern, and Cemetery Ridge Trails. This is not a hike for beginners -- there are serious inclines here, and there may be leaves on the trails making them slick.

That said, I don't do anything special here beyond wearing my hiking shoes. And if you like Hocking Hills or you've wanted to see Hocking Hills, the advantage of Clear Creek is that it has the same topography as that park, minus all the people: Hocking Hills is always packed, but you usually get Clear Creek to yourself (and it's a half hour closer to Columbus).

Where We'll Meet

We will meet at the Creekside Meadows Picnic Area. This is the first parking area for Clear Creek, and it will be on your left about 2 miles after you've turned onto Clear Creek Rd from U.S. Route 33.

Restrooms? Water Fountains?

There's a latrine where we'll be meeting. But unless you want to drive to the Valley View Picnic Area, there is no running water at Clear Creek (and even Valley View has no sinks or water fountains -- just toilets).

There will be no access to water while we're here, so I would recommend that you bring some of your own, at least for after the hike.

Gas Stations?

There's a Go Mart (and a Subway) at the intersection of Clear Creek Rd and U.S. Route 33, and it's usually reasonably priced. I've stopped here many times on the way to Hocking Hills.

After the Hike

Afterward, we'll head to the highly rated Double Edge Brewing Company in Lancaster for drinks and food. The brewery is about 15-20 minutes away from where we'll be at Clear Creek, but it should be on the way back to Columbus for most of us. Its actual address is 158 W Chestnut St, Lancaster, OH 43130. We should be at the brewery by 4:45 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

The brewery's food truck is scheduled to be The Pizza Rover.