In
Vinton County outside of Wilkesville (Where the heck is Wilkesville?), Ohio....back in the woods on County Road 9 is Hawk Station Hill.
Topo With North Up - Vinton County Road 9 heads Southwest toward State Route 124 between Wilkesville and Highway 32.
Hawk Station Stats
Distance
1.86 miles
Average Grade
4 %
Maximum Grade
16 %
Elevation Gain
316 ft.
Base Elevation
643 ft.
Peak Elevation
959 ft.
3D Facing Southwest
Climbing out of the Raccoon Creek Valley, Hawk Station Hill is not the steepest hill around but it is a climb that makes the muscles in your legs cry for mercy (especially after 60 miles of hard racing). The ascent starts out mellow enough at 4% and goes down hill. Then the pitch goes up to 11% and goes down hill. Next you make a sharp right turn and you head into a 13% grade and up to a 16% grade. Then when most hills in this neck of the wood level out, Hawk Station throws .5 miles of up hill rollers to gain 50 ft. more elevation. This makes for a hill that first gives you no chance to set a rhythm and then it unrelentingly takes away a chance at a speedy recovery. This is why this hill has been used frequently as the finale to several road races in Southeastern Ohio by Team Columbus.
Wilkesville, Ohio is at the intersection of State routes 160, 124, and 689. Following State Route 32 (The Appalacian Highway) to the intersection of 160 (Radcliff, Ohio), go South 5 miles to Wilkesville.
Cycle Path recommends wearing ahelmet, obeying all traffic laws and riding within your limits.