Winter Hiking the Grandma Gatewod Trail

"Historic winter hike fun for all involved; Path goes through Hocking Hills sites" is the title of the article by Ellie Cummings in the Chillicothe (OH) Gazette of 27 January 2008. It's about a kind of memorial hike in honor of Grandma Gatewood.

"Now in its 43rd year, the Winter Hike is surely one of the finest hikes in the state. ... It has become a legendary hike - a rite of passage into wintertime that began in 1965 with then Chief Park Naturalist Norv Hall's intent to let the public know Ohio's State Parks are winter, as well as summer, playgrounds.

"That first year, according to Hall, some 80 stalwart souls hiked from Cedar Falls to Old Man's Cave, and among them was the colorful and hardy outdoorswoman Emma Rowena Caldwell - 'at 70, a crusty ole gal with her sneakers and knapsack who slept under shrubs and had thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail several times.' Still, she often cited the Hocking Trail from Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave as her favorite hike. She went on to lead that hike for 13 years, and it was later re-named the 'Grandma Gatewood Trail' in her honor."

'Nuff said.