MILFORD - SINKING SPRING, OH

Clermont, Brown, Adams and Highland Counties

Milford is an important turning point on the North Country Trail, and, as such, is a good place to bring this volume to an end. The first turn is directional; at Milford, the long trek southward from the Naomikong Bridge on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's upper peninsula, nearly 900 trail miles to the north, comes to an end. Though a hundred miles farther on to the east, the trail does get a bit farther to the south, the general trend of the trail from here to its end is eastward, then northeastward. The trail is moving into its fourth, and final stage, as well; in fact, it has been in it for a while at Milford, but it's been a little masked to the hiker traveling the level pathways of canal towpaths, river levees and rail-trails: from here on east, the North Country Trail will be a hill country trail. At times, it will flatten out for a while, but as the long-distance hiker heads east from Milford, "up" and "down" will regain real meanings that will be noticed in the legs and the chest. Gone will be the population density of the Dayton-Cincinnati area, and gone are the flat, open farmlands; though farms remain, they'll be hill farms, smaller and less productive, and much more forested country. Gone, too, will be the section lines that have marked out the hiker's passage mile by mile, especially on roadwalks, all the way from North Dakota; they'll not be seen again, as most of the countryside the trail passes through was settled and surveyed before section surveying was invented. After nearly 200 miles of mostly off-road walking, it'll also be a change to start roadwalking again. Though there will be many miles of roadwalk to come, starting with most of the next hundred miles, the roads will be more crooked, more rolling, and more scenic.

CAMPING: Camping opportunities are very spotty in this section, but users that have hiked this section have generally been able to find places to camp on private property with permission. There are a few scattered campgrounds, mentioned in the text. MAPS: Topo maps are not a bad idea in the Shawnee State Forest; at least one of the park brochure variety. See the discussion later in the chapter. Otherwise, the BTA maps or the ones here are probably adequate for this section.

0.0 [0.0] MILFORD, OH: US50/SR28 AT LITTLE MIAMI SCENIC TRAIL.

The route heads east from Milford from the southern trailhead of the Little Miami Scenic Trail at US-50. The route crosses the river, and after a short distance, US50 turns to the north, while the route continues along Mill Street about 0.2 mi. to Mill Street, where the route turns south onto Cleveland Ave. At the south city limits, Cleveland Ave. becomes S. Milford Rd, and turns southwestward. About half a mile from the turn, it turns back to the southeast.

1.3 [1.3] TURN SOUTHEAST ON S. MILFORD RD.

At the turn, Club Dr. intersects from the south. The route continues to the southeast, descends a long hill, and passes Terrace Park Country Club before crossing railroad tracks and reaching Round Bottom Road.

1.8 [0.5] TURN EAST ON ROUND BOTTOM RD.

Round Bottom Rd. parallels the railroad tracks eastward, crosses under I275, then bends to the southeast, and then back to the east. Just before reaching the crossing of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, reach Binning Rd. Perrintown is on the far side of the river.

5.2 [3.4] TURN EAST ON BINNING RD.

The route continues to follow Binning Rd. eastward, sandwiched between the railroad tracks and the river for a ways, staying close to the tracks when the river turns away. The road continues to the Olive Branch - Stonelick Rd. (SR99) intersection.

7.4 [2.2] TURN SOUTH ON OLIVE BRANCH-STONELICK RD

The roadwalk climbs up out of the valley while heading south. About a mile after the top of the climb, the route bends sharply to the east and continues on about 0.3 mi to the corner of Ross Rd.

9.1 [1.7] TURN EAST ON ROSS RD.

The roadwalk follows Ross Rd. northeastward, bends to the east, and descends sharply back into the valley. Ross Rd. ends at the intersection with Roudebush Rd.

10.3 [1.2] TURN SOUTHEAST ON ROUDEBUSH RD.

Continue east 0.3 miles to SR32, then cross SR 32 on an access ramp, then continue east another 0.2 miles on Main Street. Cross the East Fork of the Little Miami River downtown. Just past the river, reach SR222 in the city of Batavia.

BATAVIA OH, 45103 (Pop. 1896) Grocery, laundromat, convenience store. LODGING: Gayla Bed and Breakfast, (513) 732-1222.

11.6 [1.3] TURN SOUTH ON SR222

Follow SR222 south out of Batavia. For a ways, the trail joins an old road close to the bank of the river, but shortly rejoins the newer road. About a mile south of the turn, just before SR222 crosses the river, the route turns east on Elk Lick Road, and follows it as it winds around in a generally southeast direction. After 2.4 miles, pass the intersection with Greenbriar Rd. Past Greenbriar Rd., the route runs along the river until entering East Fork State Park, and follows it south, then east into the park until the road ends.

EAST FORK STATE PARK surrounds William H. Harsha Lake, a flood control dam project. East Fork State Park has an extensive trail network, with a ten-mile section on the south side of the lake (away from the NCT) restricted to hikers only. The Buckeye/NCT follows horse/hiker trails along the north side of the lake. Camping along the trailway is prohibited; camping is only permitted in designated camping areas, for one night. All backpackers staying overnight must self-register, and fill out a permit, available from the park office. In addition, there is a developed campground, with 416 sites and flush toilets, located along the trail; a fee is required. For more information or permits, contact East Fork State Park, PO Box 119, Bethel OH 45106 (513) 734-4323.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The trail in East Fork State Park has problems with overuse and misuse by horse riders, to the point of decertification having been considered. Trails are badly eroded, and in wet weather, nearly impassible on foot. Blazing is reportedly poor. Efforts are under way to improve the situation, but with only limited success.

16.5 [3.9] TURN EAST ON MARKED TRAIL

From the end of Elk Lick Rd, the route heads to the east about half a mile, then turns northeast on abandoned jeep road, following it around an arm of the lake making several hundred-foot ascents and descents. The trail continues southeast, eventually reaching a park road. The route continues easterly through woods for about a mile, crossing two small streams, then turns sharply to the northeast, descends and climbs through open fields, then crosses an old road. The trail then turns northerly, crosses a ridge, descends to cross a stream, and then climbs again, crosses another ridge, and descends to follow Cabin Run northward. After following the stream for a ways, the route makes a turn to the east at a trail intersection, and climbs to the developed campsite and Kain Run Rd, in the middle. Users must register at the park offices half a mile north on Kain Run Rd.

22.1 [5.6] TURN SOUTHEAST ON KAIN RUN RD.

The route follows Kain Run Rd. southeast for about 0.7 mi, then turns east along a ridge, then descends to Kain Run Valley . The route follows the valley northeastward for about a mile, turns east and climbs out of the valley, reaching Williamsburg-Bantam Rd. This road is followed north for 0.2 mi, then turns east onto a park service road, and leaves the park at the end of South Broadway Rd., entering the village of Williamsburg.

WILLIAMSBURG, OH 45176 (Pop. 1952) Grocery store, convenience store restaurant. LODGING: Lewis McKeever Farmhouse B&B, 4475 McKeever Pike Rd., (513) 724-7044.

25.0 [2.9] TURN NORTH ON SOUTH BROADWAY.

The route follows South Broadway St. to the north to Lytle St. Turn east on Lytle St., and follow it to Third St. There, turn north and follow the street to Main Street. Turn east on Main Street, and cross the East Fork of the Little Miami . Continue eastward about 0.3 mi, and turn southeast on SR133. After another 0.3 or so, reach Todds Run - Foster Rd.

26.5 [1.5] TURN EAST ON TODDS RUN - FOSTER RD.

The route continues east through the outskirts of Williamsburg, bends to the south for a distance, then back to the east, following the valley of Todds Run. After 1.8 miles, cross Brown County Line. After another half mile, turn south on Todds Run - New Harmony Rd. After 0.6 mi, reach Maple Grove Rd.

29.4 [2.9] TURN EAST ON MAPLE GROVE RD.

The roadwalk continues east on Maple Grove Rd. After about 1.4 miles, the road turns sharply south, and intersects with New Harmony - Shiloh Rd. The route turns east at the intersection, and after about 1.4 miles, New Harmony - Shiloh Rd. turns sharply southward; the route continues straight ahead on Butts Rd. After another half mile, reach Old State Rd. Mt. Orab, OH, is about a mile to the northeast, off the trail.

MT. ORAB, OH 45154 (Pop. 1573) Convenience store, restaurant. LODGING: Greencrest Motel, 13642 US 68, (513) 444-4115.

32.9 [3.5] TURN SOUTHEAST ON OLD STATE RD

After a short distance, Boyd Rd. leads northeast to a right turn on SR34 to Mt. Orab. The roadwalk, however, continues straight ahead. After 0.9 mi, reach intersection with Pleasant Hill Rd. The route bears south, and follows Lake Grant Rd., which joins at this point, and parallels the shoreline of Lake Grant. After another 1.2 mi, reach the intersection of SR774 at the corner of Locust Ridge Rd. The roadwalk continues south on SR774 for 0.9 mi, when the state road bends to the west and Fite Rd. continues straight ahead. Follow Fite Rd. south another 0.4 mi through farmland, until reaching the intersection with Sterling Run Rd.

37.8 [4.9] TURN EAST ON STERLING RUN RD.

The route heads east, then southeast, then east again; after 1.5 miles, it reaches US68. The trail jogs slightly to the north, then continues east on Sterling Road for a short distance, until it turns south to cross White Oak Creek and enter the village of New Hope. The route continues south through the village, and recrosses US68, and follows Hauke Rd. parallel to US68. 0.2 south of the village, a covered bridgeis passed to the west, but the route continues to follow the road south another 0.8 mi to Stony Hollow Rd..

39.1 [1.3] TURN EAST ON STONY HOLLOW RD.

The route leaves US68 and heads east on Stony Hollow Rd. (TR35) and climbs gradually up out of the White Oak Creek valley. After about 0.4 mi, the road swings to the southeast, and about 0.9 mi. farther reaches the intersection of Delhi-Arnheim Rd. The route turns east; after 0.6 mi, cross Hamer Rd. About 0.2 east of the intersection, Delhi-Arnheim Rd. bends to the east, but the route continues straight ahead on Lindsay-Shafer Rd., and continues to follow this southeast about 1.1 mi. to Seip Rd.

42.7 [3.6] TURN EAST ON SEIP RD.

The route follows Seip Rd. east about 0.5 mile until reaching West Fork Rd., then turns south at the intersection. About 0.4 mi south, West Fork Road bends to the southwest for a short distance, and then intersects with Baker-Hanselman Rd. to the south.

44.3 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON BAKER-HANSELMAN RD.

The route turns south on Baker-Hanselman Rd., descending into the valley of Straight Creek, which it follows for a ways. Day Hill-Arnheim road joins from the northeast and the route continues southerly on it, following the creek and the road south 2.6 mi. to SR125. Georgetown, OH, is about 2 miles west on SR 125.

GEORGETOWN, OH 45121 (Pop. 3467) Grocery, restaurant, laundromat, convenience stores, hardware. LODGING: Georgetown Motel, 932 Mount Orab Pike, (513) 378-6789.

48.8 [4.5] SR125 AT ARNHEIM-DAY HILL RD.

Buckeye Trail West Union map picks up at this point. The route continues south a short distance, then turns east and crosses Straight Creek on the closed Conn-Gieslen Rd. The next 1.6 miles to the east is partly over the closed road, and partly through pastures and over a small creek. The route continues to the corner of Conn Rd. and Clifton Ave.

50.4 [1.6] CONTINUE EAST ON CLIFTON AVE (CR77).

Once back on the road, the route continues east on Clifton Ave. After 2.1 miles, it crosses US62, and continues straight on CR77, now George Miller Rd. After another 1.8 miles, the intersection with Mt. Aire Rd. is reached.

54.3 [3.9] TURN SOUTH ON MT. AIRE RD.

The route turns south to follow Mt. Aire Rd. After two miles, SR353 is crossed. The route continues south; after half a mile, the road jogs slightly, then continues south to the intersection with Hermann Rd.

57.2[2.9] TURN EAST ON HERMANN RD.

The route follows Hermann Rd. east. On its way, it jogs left and right a couple of times, then makes a hard turn to the south, reaching Chicken Hollow Rd. .

58.6 [1.4] TURN EAST ON CHICKEN HOLLOW RD. (CR19))

The route follows Chicken Hollow Rd. eastward for 1.8 miles, then turns south on SR763 for 0.5 miles to the village of Neel, which boasts the only covered bridge the trail uses to cross Eagle Creek. Just south of the bridge is the intersection with Stony Lonesome Rd.

60.9 [2.3] TURN NORTHEAST ON STONY LONESOME RD. (TR19)

Stony Lonesome Rd follows the Eagle Creek valley back to the northeast; then the road turns to the east and begins to climb up out of the Eagle Creek Valley. Near the top of the ascent, Adams County is entered. The road becomes TR9, and the name changes to Lonesome Road. After another 2.5 miles, the road joins Brier Ridge Rd. (TR11), but the route continues straight to the eastward along it.

65.1 [4.2] TURN SOUTH ON BRIER RIDGE RD.

After about a mile, the route turns back to the east, and continues on to the village of Bentonville, reaching SR 41.

BENTONVILLE, OH 45105 Limited services.

68.2 [3.1] CONTINUE SOUTHEAST ON ISLAND CREEK - BENTONVILLE RD.

The route descends a valley along Island Creek-Bentonville Rd. (CR2) which runs southeast out of Bentonville. After 3.1 miles, the route reaches Island Creek Rd. This is about as close as the trail gets to the Ohio River; there are two chances in this area to check it out. The first is to follow Island Creek Rd. about two miles to the south, to Manchester, OH.

MANCHESTER, OH 45144 (Pop. 2313) is about 2 miles south on Island Creek Rd. Manchester is the fourth oldest settlement in Ohio, and was orignally founded as a fort in 1791. Grocery, convenience store, restaurant. LODGING: Three Islands Bed and Breakfast, 503 E. 8th St., (513) 549-2149; Hickory Hill B&B, 1418 Germany Hill Rd. (513) 549-3563.

71.3 [3.1] JOG NORTH ON CR3; CONTINUE EAST ON CR2

The route jogs north on Island Creek Rd. (CR3), then after about 0.2 mile, continues east on Bat Roost Rd, which continues to be CR2. The route climbs steadily, and after about 2.0 mi, the route reaches a fork; Pumpkin Ridge Rd. goes north. The route turns east on Gift Ridge Rd., still CR2. The route continues east for 1.7 mi, reaching SR 247. The last house on the left before SR247 is known as the Counterfeit House. It was built in 1840, and was designed for the purpose of counterfeiting anyting from 50-cent pieces to $500 bills.

Heading south on SR247 is the other good opportunity to get down to the Ohio River, about 2 miles south. The route turns north up SR247 and goes north for 1.5 miles, descending sharply, reaching Beasley Fork Rd. West Union is about 3 miles northwest up SR247.

WEST UNION, OH 45693

74.5 [1.5] TURN EAST ON BEASLEY FORK RD. (CR1)

The route follows Beasley Ford Rd. east along Beasley Fork, crossing Ohio Brush Creek just before reaching the intersection with Waggoner Riffle Rd. (CR5) (BT #18).

77.5 [3.0] TURN SOUTH ON WAGGONER RIFFLE RD. (CR1)

The route follows Waggoner Riffle Rd. south, past Hickory Valley Campground, a private fee campground, tents and RVs. After the campground, the route reaches Abner Hollow Rd.

80.2 [2.7] TURN NORTHEAST ON ABNER HOLLOW RD (TR177)

The route heads northeast along Abner Hollow Rd. until reaching Hamilton Rd.

81.7 [1.5] TURN NORTH ON HAMILTON RD.

The route follows Hamilton Rd. north appx. 1.3 miles until reaching the gravel Lewis Rd.

83.0 [1.3] TURN EAST ON LEWIS RD (TR156)

The route follows the gravel Lewis Rd. up a valley. As the road climbs, it peters out and becomes abandoned.It continues to climb eastward, passing an abandoned log cabin at the head of a valley near an open field. The route bears to the south, and the road improves, becoming Sunshine Ridge Rd. Near an old cemetery, Morel Ridge Rd. joins from the north. The route continues east to Blue Creek Rd. (CR18).

85.9 [2.9] CONTINUE EAST ON SUNSHINE RIDGE RD. (TR156)

The route continues east on Sunshine Ridge Rd., passing junctions with TR289 and Johnson's Run Rd. from the north, and TR181 from the south. The route continues east; 1.1 mile later, CR4 joins from the north, but turns to the south 0.3 mi later, while the route continues east. From this point on, Sunshine Ridge Rd. becomes TR202 and the route is near the fringes of the Shawnee State Forest. After half a mile, pass Sunshine Church; a mile later, pass Step Church and cemetery at the junction of Carter Hill Rd. (TR173), which comes in from the north. About 2.3 miles later, Sunshine Ridge Rd. takes a hard bend to the north while a fork goes to the south to the Twin Creek Fire Tower in Shawnee State Forest. The route to the left is followed to the intersection with Churn Creek Rd.

SHAWNEE STATE FOREST: The NCNST uses only a few of the many miles of designated backpacking trail in the Shawnee State Forest, some of the ruggedest land in the state. With 59,000 acres, the forest is Ohio's largest public land holding. The first loop of the Shawnee Backpack Trail was completed in 1973, and many miles have been added since. The trail has a lot of ups and downs; at some points it does things like ascend a ridge, then descends the same side of the ridge. Camping is only permitted at designated sites, of which there are two along the section the NCNST uses. There are outhouses and tanked water provided at these sites. A permit is required for backcountry use, available only at Turkey Creek Lake; long-distance users should call (614) 858-6685 to make permit arrangements. MAPS AND INFORMATION: A very good map of the forest and the backpack trail is available from Shawnee State Forest, Rt. 5, Box 151C, Portsmouth OH 45662 (614) 858-6685. Those desiring topo maps will need the Otway, West Portsmouth, Beuna Vista, Pond Run and Friendship 7 1/2 minute quadrangles.

SHAWNEE STATE PARK is located in the forest. It has a 50-room state park lodge, and 25 housekeeping cabins, a 107-site campground, and a golf course. For more information, contact Shawnee State Park, Star Rt. 68, Portsmouth OH 45662, (614) 858-6652. For the lodge, Shawnee State Park Lodge, Star Rt. 69-A, Portsmouth OH 45662, (614) 858-6621.

93.2 [7.3] TURN SOUTHEAST ON CHURN CREEK RD. (FR2)

Churn Creek Rd. (FR2) continues to the southeast. After about 1.5 miles, now in Scioto County, Brushy Fork Rd. joins from the north; shortly after that intersection, FR 2 turns east at the intersection with Upper Twin Creek Rd. About 0.1 mile past the intersection on FR2, the Shawnee Wilderness Trail crosses. This is the southernmost point on the NCNST. Turn east on the trail. The trail is a side trail to the main Shawnee Backpack Trail, and is white-blazed. (A backpack campsite, Camp 7, is about half a mile west on the trail. The trail climbs to the top of the ridge, then winds around, generally in a northerly direction, but turning easterly after a distance, eventually arriving at the main trail. The distance is about five miles, but it's a rugged five miles; don't expect to make good time.

98.2 [5.0] TURN NORTH ON MAIN TRAIL LOOP

The routeturns northeast on the main trail. The trail goes through a hollow and fetches up at Mackletree Run Rd. The trail follows the road for a short distance, then crosses a stream, makes an ascent to the ridge top, crosses a couple of saddles, reaches Long Hollow, and follows it upstream, climbs to the top of a ridge, and follows the ridge top until it drops into a saddle that once had a wagon road. The white-blazed side trail to Camp 8 follows the old wagon road to the west. The main trail continues to the north. The trail from here to Shawnee Lodge is relatively easy. It follows the ridge for a ways, then drops down into a valley to cross a road, then climbs back to a ridge, which it follows for another 2.5 miles, then drops into Lampblack Valley, crosses a couple of bridges, and arrives at the parking lot at Turkey Creek Lake. This is where Turkey Creek Lodge and the State Park Headquarters is located.

106.4 [8.2] CONTINUE NORTH ON NORTH LOOP OF MAIN TRAIL

The trail heads north from the parking lot at the Shawnee Park Lodge, climbs to the top of a ridge, follows it for a ways, dips to cross a couple of hollows, and continues on north until reaching the FR6 road crossing. At this point, the NCT exits the Shawnee Backpack Trail.

109.5 [3.1] TURN WEST ON FR6

The route from this point to Wamsley is unmarked; however, it was the route that NPS NCNST Manager Bill Menke followed in his 1996 walk from Milford to Old Man's Cave, and it makes an adequate unmarked connector. Follow FR6 to the west about 0.4 miles to the intersection with FR3.

109.9 [0.4] TURN NORTH ON FR3

Follow FR3 north about 1.7 miles to the corner of Long Run Rd.

112.6 [2.7] TURN WEST ON LONG RUN RD.

The route heads to the west, up a the valley of the Long Fork of Bear Creek. After about a 2.4 miles, the trail reaches Oppy Rd., and follows it westward for about 0.3 mile until reaching Tick Ridge- Koenig Rd.

115.3 [2.7] TURN NORTH ON TICK RIDGE - KOENIG RD.

Tick Ridge-Koenig Rd heads northwestward for 2.8 miles, until reaching Knokel Hill-Bracken Ridge Rd. at the corner of Rocky Ford Rd.

118.1 [2.8] TURN WEST ON KNOKEL HILL-BRACKEN RIDGE RD.

The road winds around a bit just after it leaves Rocky Ford Rd. as it climbs to a ridgetop, and then heads west for about, finally descenting to meet Mt. Unger Rd, back in Adams County and on the Buckeye Trail, just south of Wamsley.

121.6 [3.5] TURN NORTHON MT. UNGER RD.

Follow Mt. Unger Rd. about 0.4 miles to Wamsley. BT Section maps change to Sinking Spring at this point.

WAMSLEY, OH 45657 Limited services.

122.0 [0.4] WAMSLEY OH: TR160 AT SR348.

The route heads northeast. After 0.7 mile, reach corner of SR781, which starts here. SR 348 turns east (right); continue to follow SR 781 northwest up the Turkey Creek Valley, until reaching Mineral Springs Road, (CR18) which comes in from the north.

125.6 [3.6] TURN NORTH ON MINERAL SPRINGS RD. (CR18)

The route heads north up Mineral Springs Rd. (CR18) After 1.7 miles, it reaches the village of Mineral Springs, which is a former resort built around several mineral springs that tasted so bad that they were believed to have medicinal properties. Just north of the village, CR18 leads off in a fork to the northeast. After 0.7 miles, the road forks again, with Peach Mountain Rd. (CR29) leading off to the northwest.

128.0 [2.4] TURN NORTHWEST ON PEACH MTN. RD. (CR29)

CR29 heads northeast for about 1.2 miles to Peach Mountain Church, then hangs a hard left turn and heads back to the southwest, and continues for about 0.7 mile to the corner of Mineral Springs Rd., now CR8.

129.9[1.9] TURN NORTHWEST ON MINERAL SPRINGS RD (CR8)

The route continues northwesterly for about 1.5 until reaching a small country store. Mineral Springs Rd. turns west at this point, and the route follows it westward for about 0.4 miles, until reaching Cedar Fork Lane (TR 131). To reach the nearby resort and campground, follow Mineral Springs Rd. west for another 0.7 miles, then turn north to the lake. 300 sites, flush toilets, small camp store, coin laundry.For information, Mineral Springs Lake Resort, 160 Bluegill Rd., Peebles OH 45660, (513) 587-3132.

131.8 [1.9] TURN NORTH ON CEDAR FORK LANE

The route follows Cedar Fork Lane north for a short distance, until it reaches Cedar Fork Chapel. The trail turns into the woods on a gated off-road trail (keep gate closed) on private land, owned by the Mineral Springs Lake Resort. (The trail goes north on the closed service road, then climbs to follow a cliff near Cedar Fork and then enters Edwin H. Davis Memorial Nature Preserve, owned by the Ohio Historical Society. Open daily dawn-dusk. Phone (614) 297-2630 for information.

133.5 [1.7] TURN EAST ON DAVIS MEMORIAL RD. (TR129)

Shortly after leaving Davis Memorial, TR 129 becomes Beaver Pond Rd. Continue east through the village of Beaver Pond. About a mile after passing through the village, the route turns north on marked trail on private land.

135.0 [1.5] TURN NORTH ON MARKED TRAIL

The trail heads north on private land, climbing throught the woods up Tolle Hill. This section is reportedly difficult, and a relo is possible. At the top of the hill, the trail turns to the northwest to follow the ridgetop, and passes under a powerline. The trail then descends the ridge on an old logging road, turning north along the way, until reaching Pine Gap Rd.

136.7 [1.7] TURN WEST ON PINE GAP RD.

The roadwalk crosses Cedar Fork, then passes under a railroad, reaching a sawmill at Portsmouth Rd. E. The route continues on in the same direction, now on Portsmouth Rd. E, winds around a bit, then crosses under SR32. At a complex intersection in the village of Bacon Flat just beyond this point, the continues west on Portsmouth Rd., which soon bends to the southwest, reaching the corner of Adkins Rd.

PEEBLES, OH 45660 (Pop. 1800) Convenience, grocery store, restaurant.

139.1 [2.4] TURN NORTHEAST ON ADKINS RD.

Adkins Road heads northeast for a short distance, crosses a small creek and makes a sharp turn back to the west, and continues west until reaching SR41.

140.7[1.6] TURN NORTH ON SR41

The NCNST follows SR41 north to Cemetery Rd. (CR16), about 0.7 mi. The route follows Cemetery Rd to the west, crossing Stony Rd. along the way. After about two miles, the road makes a sharp turn to the south, and comes to a fork with CR101 where Cemetary Road turns west. The route continues east another 0.2 to intersection with Louisville Rd. (CR 13)

144.2 [3.5] TURN NORTHWEST ON LOUISVILLE RD.

The route follows Louisville Rd. to the northeast. After 2.5 miles, it reaches the former village of Louisville. At a four-way intersection, CR13 turns north, and so does the route, continuing as Louden Road, and after another 2.5 miles crosses Weasel Run and reaches the village of Louden.

149.2 [5.0] TURN EAST ON SR73

The route follows SR73 eastward. After about a mile, pass the entrance to Serpent Mound State Memorial Park, site of the largest effigy mound in the world.

SERPENT MOUND is another famous Ohio primitive earthwork, but was created in at a totally different and earlier era, and possibly for different reasons, than Ft. Hill to the north, and Ft. Ancient, which the trail passes to the west near Cincinnati. As America's most famous ceremonial earth works, Serpent Mound stretches for 1300 feet, and resembles a writhing snake with an egg in its mouth. It was included on the 1993 list of the 11 most endangered historic places in the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.For more information about Serpent Mound, contact Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 SR73, Peebles OH 45600, (513) 587-2796.

The route continues on past Serpent Mound on SR 73, reaching Horner Chapel Rd. (TR116) at the next corner.

151.0 [1.8] TURN NORTH (LEFT) ON HORNER CHAPEL RD (TR116)

The route heads north on Horner Chapel Rd., eventually crossing Baker Fork and reaching Strait Creek Rd. (CR45).

153.0 [2.0] TURN NORTHEAST ON STRAIT CREEK RD.

The route turns northeast on Strait Creek Rd., and follows along Baker's Fork. After 0.8 mi, enter Highland County. The road continues with the same name, but is now TR239. After another 1.4 miles, the route reaches SR41, and turns north to follow SR41 1.3 mi into the village of Sinking Spring.

155.7 [2.7] REACH SINKING SPRING

Description of this segment ends at this point.

Return to main menu.

Go to previous section.

Go to next section.