OHIO
Ohio is not a wilderness state, although there are places where it gets fairly wild. For the NCNST hiker, Ohio comes in basically two flavors: the generally flatland western section, and then the hillier eastern section. Much of the NCNST in the state is followed through roaded rural areas, although the trail penetrates several towns, and in the Dayton/Cincinnati area, the largest urban area the trail passes through. Still, for a state so populated, and with so little public land, there is a surprising amount of off-road trail _ in fact, with 277.4 miles of certified trail, Ohio trails only Michigan in that category. Of course, the trail in total distance is not far behind Michigan, either, with 985.5 miles total.
Williams, Fulton, Lucas and Henry Counties
72.9 mi total 1.4 certified 0.0 connecting 49.2 marked 22.3 bare
When North Country Trail users think about Ohio, they usually are thinking about the Buckeye Trail. However, the Buckeye Trail is not all of the NCT in Ohio, and long distance users coming from the north will have to penetrate a fair distance into the state before encountering the Buckeye. Before they do, they encounter a great metropark, and a new trail system that has several unique features.
Hikers looking for steep hills and scenery far off roads will not find it here. As in the last few miles north of the Michigan state line, the terrain is flat, with only a few small suggestions of rolling countryside; what small grades that exist are usually involved with crossing a stream. Though there are trees around _ perhaps 10 to 20 percent coverage _ it's usually possible to see for miles anywhere along the flat countryside. However, to make it easier, this section is largely a off-road break in the "long roadwalk" between Croton, MI, and Delphos, OH.
INFORMATION AND MAPS: Information for this region is sparse, and will be noted where available. Maps are another story; all the long distance hiker really needs is a good county road map, or the maps here.
0.0 [0.0] MICHIGAN STATE LINE (MI TERRITORIAL RD AND OH CR 20.5)
The trail in Ohio starts as a roadwalk south from the Michigan line. In this part of Ohio, there are few gravel back roads, but there are many narrow paved ones, sometimes not much more than one lane wide. This road is wider than most.
0.6 [0.6] TURN WEST ON CR S
The trail turns west on this road, and follows it for a half mile to CR20.
1.1 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON CR 20
The route continues south as a roadwalk. After two miles, it reaches the village of Alvordton, where there are a couple of bars and a small store. The route continues south another 4.8 miles, making a small jog to the west 3 miles south of Alvordton, and reaches SR 107 in the village of West Unity.
HARRISON LAKE STATE PARK is approximately 4 miles from the trail. (One mile south of Alvordton, turn east on CR P for 3 miles; it becomes County Road N once crossing into Fulton County. Go south 0.5 mi on CR 27 then east on the park access road, CR MN. The 142 acre park has the 107-acre Harrison Lake and a campground, rent-a-camp rental tents, along with showers, a picnic shelter, beach, and small beach store. For more information, contact Harrison Lake State Park, R#1, Fayette OH 43521 (419) 237-2593.
7.9 [6.8] TURN EAST ON ALT. US20.
After 0.4 miles on sidewalks, the junction with OH SR 191 is reached in downtown West Unity.
WEST UNITY, OH (Pop. 1639) RESTAURANTS: Sveral small family B/L/D restaurants. GROCERIES: Two medium-sized grocery stores; convenience stores. OTHER: Bank, hardware, laundromat. A motel is located in Montpelier, 9 miles west. (Rainbow Motel, 13402 SR 15, Montpelier OH 43543 (419) 485-3432.) TRANSPORTATION: An Amtrak station is located in Bryan, about 9 miles southwest.
8.3 [0.4] TURN SOUTHWEST ON SR 191
After 0.2 miles - partly on sidewalks - the Cannonball Trail is reached where the old railroad grade crosses.
8.5 [0.2] TURN EAST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL
The Cannonball Trail is an old Wabash railroad grade, currently in development as a multi-use rail trail. It has two legs- the north one, which runs east to Maumee, Ohio, and the south leg, which runs from Maumee southwest to Liberty Center. The NCNST doesn't go all the way to Maumee, but takes a short cut through Oak Openings Metropark, saving approximately 15 miles. The north leg of the trail, at least to the Lucas County Line, still needs some detail development, such as covering ties on bridges with bridge decking. Most of the stone ballast has been removed, leaving a cinder or dirt pathway that is loose in spots. The south leg of the line is fully completed. Eventual certification is anticipated on both legs of the line that the NCNST uses. There are no rules against trailside camping, but no prepared campsites, either. For more information on the Trail, write Northwest Ohio Rails to Trails Association, PO Box 234, Delta OH, 43515 (800) 951-4788. The route goes east on the Cannonball Trail, which is closed to vehicles. After about 5.3 miles, the Tiffin River is crossed on the ties of a 250-foot railroad bridge, the longest on the Cannonball Trail, decked in 1998 by NORTA with Challenge Cost Share assistance from the NPS. Another 1.7 miles farther on, reach Ohio SR66 at the edge of the village of Elmira. There's nothing much in Elmira, but there are a couple of stores in Burlington, half a mile to the south, and most services are available in Archbold, four miles to the south.
ARCHBOLD, OH, 43502 (Pop. 3400) Sauder Village, appx. 2.5 mi south of the Cannonball Trail, has restored buildings housing a potter, blacksmith, gunsmith, spinner, weaver, cooper, broommaker, glassblower and tinsmith, all dressed in period costumes. A turn of the 20th century homestead with a furnished farmstead, a barn full of animals and a summer kitchen are on the grounds. LODGING: Sauder Heritage Inn, 34 rooms (not cheap!), next to Sauder Farm and Village, 3 stories, no pets, restaurant nearby, cable TV, phones,V/MC. R#2, Archbold OH, 43502 (419) 445-2609. Also: Arch Motel 4957 SR66, Archbold, OH 43502, 2.7 miles south of trail crossing. RESTAURANTS: The Barn, at Sauder Village, family style AYCE, L/D, (419) 445-2231. Excellent food, reasonably priced. Also, in town 2 to 4 miles south, several restaurants, B/L/D, McDonalds, Burger King. GROCERIES: Large, full-service supermarket, plus convenience stores. OTHER: Bank, hardware, pharmacy, laundromat, doctor, dentist.
15.5 [7.0] CONTINUE EAST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL.
After about 3.3 miles, Brush Creek is crossed on another undecked railroad bridge. 6.2 miles after that, reach the city of Wauseon at the SR108 crossing.
WAUSEON, OH 43567 (Pop. 6,173) LODGING: Arrowhead Motel, 8225 SR 108 (3 miles north of Cannonball Trail), (419) 334-5811; Exit Three Motel, 8224 SR 108, (3 miles north of Cannonball Trail), restaurant on premises. (419) 335-9841; Chief Wauseon Motel, 1495 N. Shoop Ave., (419) 335-8011. RESTAURANTS: Several small family restaurants, fast food. GROCERIES: Several large, full-service supermarkets, plus convenience stores. OTHER: Bank, hardware, sporting goods, pharmacy, laundromat, doctor, dentist, hospital.
25.0 [6.5] CONTINUE EAST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL
About 2.2 miles past SR108, near a golf course, the Conrail railroad crosses. This is an active railroad, and busy. About 2.1 miles later, the trail passes under a railroad overpass of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad. About 1.5 miles further on, reach SR109 south of Delta, OH. NORTA plans a headquarters building at this corner.
DELTA, OH 43515: Motel, several restaurants, grocery store, convenience stores, laundromat, bank, pharmacy, doctor, dentist, hardware store.
31.8 [6.8] CONTINUE EAST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL
The route continues east, making four creek crossings on decked bridgesAfter 5.7 miles, cross CR 1-2. The city of Swanton, Ohio, is about 2 miles north.
SWANTON, OH 43558 Motel, several restaurants, grocery store, convenience stores, laundromat, bank, pharmacy, doctor, dentist, hardware store.
37.5 [5.7] CONTINUE EAST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL
The route is getting into a suburban area. In half a mile, cross the Lucas County Line. From the Lucas County Line on, the trail is much closer to being completed, and is covered with a firm dirt treadway, and is signed against vehicle use. Half a mile into Lucas County, the route crosses SR64 and crosses into Oak Openings Metropark. The NCNST stays on the Cannonball Trail; after another mile, it crosses Gridham Rd, and after another half mile, just before reaching Wilkins Rd., the NCNST turns south onto park trails. NOTE: Toledo Express Airport is about 3 miles northeast.
41.0 [3.5] TURN SOUTH ONTO TRAIL IN OAK OPENINGS.
Just before the crossing of Wilkins Road, the NCNST leaves the Cannonball Trail on the Seventeen-Mile Trail in Oak Openings Metropark. Oak Openings is a 3300 acre metropark, operated by the Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area, and was founded in 1939, on sandy soil that once housed a number of sand dunes. It has both individual and group campsites. The well-maintained trail turns southeast, crosses Wilkins Rd., then continues southeast, then south, after a mile crossing Reed Rd. The trail jogs to the east, then turns back to the southwest, emerging at the main trailhead and group campground at Barrige Walking Center. The hiker has done the end of the Seventeen-Mile Trail; now continue south on the beginning of it. The trail heads southeast along the banks of Swan Creek for almost a mile, turning south along SR295 for a short distance, then turns back to the west at the entrance to the Evergreen Lake picnic area. The trail uses the access road to again cross Swan Creek again, and then follow the shores of Evergreen Lake southwestward. Near the west end of the lake, the trail turns back to the northwest, re-emerging on a closed section of Wilkins Road. The NCNST leaves the Seventeen-Mile Trail here, and turns south on the old Wilkins Road until reaching SR64 about a quarter mile to the south. Just to the east of the intersection, a pathway leads south through the woods of the Maumee State Forest, across the road. A private campground is located about 0.3 mile east of the Wilkins Rd./SR64 intersection.
44.5 (3.5) CONTINUE SOUTH ON BERRIDGE RD.
The trail emerges from Oak Openings slightly west of Berridge Rd. Jog east on Archbold-Whitehouse Rd. a short distance, then go south on Berridge Rd. for 0.7 miles to intersect the south leg of the Cannonball Trail.
45.2 TURN SOUTHWEST ON CANNONBALL TRAIL SOUTH LEG
This trail heads southwestward in a pleasant, level walk that quickly leaves the suburban area and becomes rural countryside. About 2.4 miles to the west, Blue Creek is crossed on a decked bridge; shortly afterward, the village of Neapolis is passed through. There is a convenience store adjoining the trail. In the next mile, the trail briefly re-enters Fulton County, then in the next half mile enters Henry County. Approximately a mile after entering Henry County, and a mile farther on, the trail passes through small patches of adjoining Maumee State Forest. The trail continues southwestward, passing through the village of Colton (no services) and continues southwest until reaching CR6C, where the trail ends.
53.9 [8.7] TURN SOUTH ON CR6C
Follow CR6C south 0.6 miles to County Road "T".
54.5 [0.6] TURN WEST ON COUNTY ROAD "T"
Half a mile to the west, pick up sidewalks in Liberty Center, OH, and follow them westward for half a mile to the center of town.
LIBERTY CENTER, OH 43532: Motel, several restaurants, grocery store, convenience stores, laundromat, bank, pharmacy, doctor, dentist, hardware store.
55.5 [1.0] CONTINUE WEST ON COUNTY ROAD "T"
Follow sidewalks west out of Liberty Center for half a mile, then continue west as a roadwalk for another two miles, until reaching CR10.
58.0 [2.5] TURN SOUTH ON CR10.
The route continues south as a roadwalk. After 1.9 miles, cross US24, which is four-lane in this area. Be careful crossing this busy road.
59.9 [1.9] JOIN SR 424
South of the crossing, SR424 picks up; follow this south for 0.2 miles to where it bends to the west (right) overlooking the Maumee River. A short distance to the west, the route crosses an overpass over US6. About 1.1 miles to the west of the US6 overpass, take a break from the roadwalking by following the towpath trail starting in Vanwerk Park below the highway for about 0.6 miles, before it climbs back up to the highway. Continue on along SR424 until reaching SR108 in downtown Napoleon, OH.
NAPOLEON OH, (Pop 8,614): LODGING: Paramount Hotel, Junct. US6/US24 Bypass, 2395 N Scott St., PO Box 68 (419) 592-5010, 79 rooms, near downtown, laundry, V/MC; Daum's Motel, 522 Beckham St., (419) 592-4791. RESTAURANTS: Several, ranging from good to fast food. GROCERIES: Full-service supermarkets, convenience stores. OTHER: Bank, pharmacy, hardware, sporting goods, discount stores, doctor, dentist, hospital.
64.4 [4.5] CONTINUE WEST ON SR424.
Follow sidewalks westward along SR424. After half a mile, enter Ritter Park to the south (left). Walk through the grassy areas of the park until reaching towpath trail, and follow it southwestward for 2.1 miles until reaching Meyerholz Wildlife Area. At the end of the wildlife area, climb back up to SR424.
67.0 [2.6] CONTINUE SOUTHWEST ON SR424.
Continue southwest on SR424 as a roadwalk. After 4.1 miles, there is a pulloff on the south side of the road. There is 1.4 miles of certified trail west along the towpath from this pulloff, but it's not recommended that it be used, as the trail is in poor shape, and must be reached by a precarious walk over a dam. Continue the roadwalk west on SR 424 for another 1.2 miles to the village of Florida. In the center of the village, a road leads south (left) to the Florida Bridge over the Maumee River. The trailhead for the trail in Independance Dam State Park is on the west (right) side of the road just before the bridge.
72.9 [5.9] REACH INDEPENDENCE DAM TRAILHEAD
Description of this segment ends at this point. The route continues westward on the Buckeye Trail.