Vulture Point and Airplane Rock

Yesterday was a rather chilly, but clear, day. My son and I took a hike down at Hocking Hills, parking in the Long Hollow parking lot (that’s the lot for the rappelling area). We first hiked over and around Conkle’s Hollow, and then visited Vulture Point and Airplane Rock.

I’ve described Airplane Rock previously, here. The route we took headed us east from Conkle’s Hollow to where Vulture Point overlooks Crane Hollow. Here is a picture of the “vulture” of Vulture Point:

The "vulture" of Vulture Point

It is also that case that during the summer, a whole slew of turkey vultures can be seen rising on the currents throughout the valley.

Airplane Rock is on the opposite side of Crane Hollow. It can actually be seen from Vulture Point, if you know how to look (and if the vegetation is not too thick, and if you climb just the right tree . . .). You can see it here:

Airplane Rock from Vulture Point

It’s that little white speck in the distance. It’s a quarter of a mile away.

After taking that shot, we scrambled down into the hollow, crossed the creek, and then climbed back up to Airplane Rock. From this picture I took a while ago, you can see why it is called Airplane Rock.

Airplane Rock

This time we made sure to approach it from directly below it, so here is Airplane Rock from underneath.

Airplane Rock from Below

That is quite an overhang. Maybe I should feel more nervous when standing on it.

For those of you wanting to know where these two wonders of Hocking Hills are, Airplane Rock is off the Orange Bridle Trail, and Vulture Point is on a side trail (white blaze) off the Orange Bridle Trail. Here is where they are located relative to Conkle’s Hollow.

Crane Hollow, showing Vulture Point and Airplane Rock

I should note that both of these locations are within the Hocking Hills State Forest. Heading upstream from these locations would take you into the Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve, which prohibits visitor access (so don’t do it!).

One more anecdote: I hiked the route barefoot — I always hike barefoot. While we were on the rim of Conkle’s Hollow, one person stopped me to ask if she could take my picture with her daughter. She had seen me doing the Hocking Hills Midwinter Hike in January (barefoot, of course — didn’t I just say I always hike barefoot) and just thought it was utterly amazing.