Yesterday, after driving my brother to Columbus and moving him into his dorm, I decided to return to a couple of classic spots I hadn't been back to since before I graduated. As the Glen Echo creek winds its way toward the Olentangy River, it passes through a couple of interesting little tunnels. The first is Ten Pin, which is smaller and not as well known as its counterpart. The Gates of Hell, also referred to as the Blood Bowl, is one of the most well-known locations in the city. It is frequently visited by students of the local high schools and colleges and the concrete is covered in graffiti from end to end. What makes both tunnels stand out is the obstructions used to keep large debris like fallen trees out of them. Ten Pin has ten large concrete blocks arranged in a ten pin formation and the Gates of Hell has a large iron V-shaped grate.
1. The entrance to Ten Pin
2. Head room is very low in the tunnel
3. The tunnel becomes concrete when it goes under the railroad tracks
4. The exit of Ten Pin
5. This grate is the first obstruction for the Gates of Hell
6. The tunnel is located in a sloped concrete basin
7. The Gates of Hell. Just after I took this and approached the tunnel, four teenagers ran out of the tunnel screaming. I'd like to think I spooked them, but they were probably just messing around.
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9. Starting here and throughout the tunnel, you can hear the echo from cars hitting the manhole cover above.
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12. The tunnel makes two turns, leaving you in pitch black between them.
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14. This is the small chamber in the center
15. At the chamber, the tunnel changes to the smaller original section that goes under the street
16. Near the end, the tunnel becomes square-shaped
17. Exit
While it's definitely not a large-scale explore by any stretch, it was a fun trip down memory lane to one of the locations that got me started in the hobby during my college days.