Morgan, Washington, Monroe and Noble Counties
Wayne National Forest
101.6 mi total 36.5 certified 0.0 connecting 36.5 marked 65.1 bare
In order to investigate the Wayne National Forest east of Marietta, the NCNST takes leave of the Buckeye Trail at Stockport, although it rejoins the Buckeye at the end of this section. No route has been marked between Stockport and the trailhead at Hill, east of Marietta, but the following route should be adequate. CAMPING: No prepared campgrounds between Stockport and Marietta, or between Cline and the end of the section; however, trailside camping is permitted in the Wayne National Forest. Maps: The maps here should be adequate, but county maps of Washington and Monroe Counties would be useful
0.0 [0.0] CORNER TR23 AND TR39 SOUTH OF STOCKPORT
The route heads southeast, following along and near the Muskingum River. After 2.1 miles, TR46 joins; 0.9 miles farther, CR18 intersects. After another 1.8 mies, reach an intersection with TR42, TR142 and TR102.
4.8 [4.8] TURN NORTHEAST ON TR 102
Take TR102 northeast; after 0.8 miles, CR60 intersects from the south. TR102 heads north from the intersection, but soon bends to the east, and becomes TR103. After 3.7 miles, the CR174 intersection is reached; TR68 comes in from the north at this point. Beverly, OH, is about 0.1 mile east on CR174, and two miles north on SR339.
BEVERLY, OH 45715 (Pop. 1471): Motel, full-service grocery, convenience stores, hardware, pharmacy, bank.
8.0 [3.7] TURN SOUTHWEST ON CR174
CR174 is followed to the southeast for only about 0.2 miles, until it intersects with TR108. Turn south on TR108; after 1.0 miles, the intersection with TR175 is passed. The route continues southeast; after another 0.9 miles, reach the intersection of TR172. Hervida 4-H Camp, just to the south, was the site of the 1997 NCTA Annual Meeting.
10.1 [2.1] TURN EAST ON TR172
TR172 is followed to the east for 1.2 miles, until intersecting with SR339. Follow this southward a short distance, until reaching the CR31 intersection.
11.3 [1.2] CONTINUE EAST ON CR31
After 2.6 miles, the route jogs south for a short distance on CR109, then continues east on CR31. After 2.5 miles, TR146 and TR71 intersect from the north; about 0.1 miles past this intersection, turn south on TR140.
16.5 [5.2] TURN SOUTH ON TR140
After about 0.5 miles, turn east on TR124. After a mile or so, the route bends to the southeast, and after another 0.5 mile, passes the intersection with TR187, which comes in from the east. Continue southeast on TR124; after another 0.9 miles, CR4 intersects from the east. Continue south; the road now becomes TR184. After another 1.9 miles, CR50 intersects from the east.
20.3 [4.8] TURN EAST ON CR50
CR50 winds southeasterly for 3.6 miles, until reaching CR44 at the Muskingum River in the northern part of West Marietta.
24.9 [3.6] TURN SOUTH ON GILMAN ST. (CR44)
Follow Gilman Street south along the riverbank, crossing SR7 after 1.0 mile, and the Putnam Street bridge about 0.4 mile farther, and continuing south, now on Fort St., about another 0.2 mile until reaching an old railroad bridge that's been turned into a pedestrian walkway. Turn east to cross the bridge into Marietta; at the east end, it reaches Front Street.
MARIETTA, OH 45750 (Pop 15,000) is the first fairly large city passed since Logan, and, for that matter, the largest city passed since Dayton, and, as such, is a good place for resupply. Marietta is the site of the first real settlement in the old Northwest Territories, being founded in 1788 by Rufus Putnam and a band of 48 pioneers. LODGING: Several highway motels are located near the SR7/I77 interchange north of town. Several full-service supermarkets, smaller groceries, convenience stores. CAMPING: Camp Civitan is located near the SR7/I-77 interchange near the Washington County Fairgrounds, open Apr-Nov., flush toilets, snack bar, coin laundry. OTHER: Bank, hardware, laundry, department stores, pharmacy, doctor, dentist, hospital.
26.8 [1.9] TURN SOUTHEAST ON FRONT STREET SIDEWALK
The route follows the Front Street sidewalk southeast for two blocks, then turns northeast and follows the street until reaching SR26/SR7. After 0.3 miles SR7 forks off to the east; follow the left fork. 112 miles later, cross under I77. The sidewalks have petered out by now, and it's a roadwalk for 4.1 miles along SR26 until reaching CR544 at the hamlet of Hills.
32.9 [6.0] TURN SOUTH ON CR635
Follow CR635 south for 0.2 miles, then turn east on CR544 to cross a covered bridge. The trailhead is on the east side of the bridge, just across the river.
WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST: The trail in this section of the Wayne NF is being slowly expanded to the northward. When completed, it's anticipated that the trail in the Wayne in this area will be about 62 miles long, but this is still in progress. The forest only covers about 20% of the area, resulting in wandering trails to avoid private holdings, and following roads when private lands must be crossed. For information, contact Athens Ranger District, RR#1, Marietta OH 45750 (614) 373-9055. Trailside camping is permitted in this segment of the Wayne NF. Trailside camping is permitted. The Hutchins Guide has a detailed description of the trail between CR544 and SR260.
33.2 [0.3] TURN NORTH ON MARKED TRAIL
From the trailhead at the covered bridge, the trail continues north, close to the river, for about 2.0 miles, then winds around on a route on private land for 0.4 miles, emerging at Cow Run Road at the river. The trail in this area goes through the floodplain of the Little Muskingum River; river debris is heavy, and crosses steep, muddy ravines in places; however, the area is quite scenic. Hutchins in 1990 found the trail weedy and overgrown in this section, with possible private land crossing problems, but the situation reportedly has improved.
35.6 [2.4] TURN EAST ON COW RUN RD. (TR7)
The route is a roadwalk east for about half a mile, then turns north to follow graveled Brooks Rd. About 0.3 mile to the north, the road bends to the east, and the trail turns to head north.
36.6 [1.0] TURN NORTH ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail heads north, with a jog to the east, then turns north again. After about 0.8 miles, it again reaches the riverbank, and follows it to the northeast, bending to the east, and then to the southeast. The trail then leaves the river, and climbs a hill to the south, then heads to the southeast, shortly picking up an old road (TR94), which if tollows to the southeast. After crossing another old road, the route bends to the east, reaching Bear Run Rd. (CR25).
41.3 [4.7] CONTINUE EAST ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail continues to the east in an up and down pattern. After about half a mile, it jogs to the north, then after about another 0.3 turns to the northeast, reaching CR32 about 1.4 miles from CR25.
42.7 [1.4] CONTINUE NORTHEAST ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail continues northeasterly, reaching and following the faint trace of an old road after a short distance, then leaving the old road, and, about a mile further, crossing another old road. The trail then climbs a couple of switchbacks, then turns to the southeast, reaches an old road, and descends to the southeast, emerging on paved CR9.
45.6 [2.9] TURN EAST ON CR9
The route follows CR9 eastward for 0.7 miles, where a gravel road turns off to the south. The trail turns north off CR9 and parallels it eastward for 0.6 miles until reaching CR14.
46.9 [1.3] CONTINUE NORTHEAST ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail leaves CR14 just northwest of the CR9 intersection. The trail soon bends to the north, then circles back to the south, crossing CR9 after 0.7 miles. Once across CR9, the trail heads southeast and climbs along an old road, but soon leaves the road and winds around on a southeasterly heading, going up and down all the way. It turns east, crosses a couple of small creeks and an old road, then turns back to the north, emerging at CR9 again, at the intersection of the River Trail, a side trail that leads south to Leith Run Picnic Grounds on the Ohio River. A small parking area is located at the trail junction.
50.8 [3.9] CONTINUE NORTH ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail descends to the north-northwest, then turns to the north. After about 0.6 miles, the route bends to the east, follows an old road briefly, then leaves it to the north, crosses another old woods road, and reaches the junction with the west leg of the Archer's Fork loop trail.
53.5 [2.7] TURN WEST ON MARKED TRAIL.
The North Country Trail uses the west leg of the Archer's Fork Loop Trail, a 9.4 mile circle through the best part of the Wayne NF, a day hike or easy overnighter. The trail heads west on the old road from the junction; after a while, the road peters out. 1.8 miles from the junction, the trail bends to the northwest, crosses a stream and climbs to cross CR36. The trail continues north, paralleling CR36; after a short distance, it reaches a junction with the Covered Bridge Trail, which leads to an old covered bridge near Hume Bridge Canoe Access.
55.3 [1.8] CONTINUE NORTHEAST ON MARKED TRAIL
The trail continues in an easterly direction after taking the east fork at the Covered Bridge trail junction. After a short distance, the trail bends away from CR36 and heads to the north. About 0.9 mile from leaving CR36, a natural bridge is passed; less than a mile later, a cave - a big, open rockshelter reminiscent of Hocking Hills - is passed. There is a short side trail down to a parking area to the north from the cave area. Past the cave, the trail turns to the east, and after another 0.7 miles reaches TR34. 0.6 miles farther the trail crosses Irish Run and reaches the other junction with the east leg of the Archer's Fork Loop Trail.
58.9 [3.6] CONTINUE NORTHEAST ON MARKED TRAIL
The east leg of the Archer's Fork Loop takes the right (southeast) fork at the trail junction; Irish Run Natural Bridge is about 0.7 miles to the east. The NCT, however, takes the left (northeast) leg, and follows an old woods road till it peters out, then continues along Irish Run, until it turns to cross it, heading north, and picking up another old woods road, which takes the trail out to SR260. The Hutchins Guide ends at this point.
60.4 [1.5] CROSS SR260
The route continues to the north, parallel and to the west of TR100; after a short distance, it turns east to cross it, then crosses it again about 1.7 miles later, and continues northeasterly for about another 1.5 miles to the hamlet of Glass.
63.9 [3.5] TURN WEST ON CR138
The route turns to the west, following CR138 along English Hill. After about 0.3 miles, it bends to the north, crossing the Washington-Monroe County Line along the way. After about another 2.7 miles, at the TR403 intersection, the route enters the woods.
67.0 [3.1] TURN NORTHWEST ON MARKED TRAIL
The route continues north through the woods. After about 2.2 miles, there is a trail intersection, with one leg leading northeast about another 2.5 miles to the hamlet of Poulton. It's expected that eventual extention of the trail in the Wayne NF will go down this leg, the right fork. However, the route given here takes the left leg, leading northwest to SR 26 and. Trail construction reportedly has continued northwest of Poulton, and the general trend of the trail is northerly to northwesterly from this point until reaching the ultimate trailhead somewhere near Lewisville. Check with the District Ranger to get the latest information, check a Monroe County map and modify the roadwalk accordingly. The suggested route given here generally follows the route taken by Talone in 1994.
71.2 [4.2] TURN NORTH ON SR26.
It's a roadwalk from here to the end of the section. Follow SR26 northeast about 0.4 miles to the hamlet of Cline, and the intersection with Pleasant Ridge Rd.
71.6 [0.4] TURN NORTH ON PLEASANT RIDGE RD.
Pleasant Ridge Rd. is followed northwestward for 8.6 miles, passing through the villages of Way and Sprague. About 2.7 miles north, when crossing SR537 in Way, following the state route about half a mile to the east, and SR26 two miles to the north brings the hiker to Graysville, a possible supply point, with small grocery, post office, and other services. 1.8 miles farther, pass intersection with Death Ridge Rd; cross Long Run Rd. at the hamlet of Sprague after another 1.8 miles. About 3.3 miles north of Sprague, Hanson Ridge Rd. is reached.
80.4 [8.6] TURN WEST ON SANDBAR RD.
Sandbar Rd. is shown as Hanson Ridge Rd. on some maps, and as Trail Run Rd on others. By whatever name, it heads west, then bends to the northwest. After about 2.5 miles, Trail Run Rd. leads west to Stafford, another possible supply stop, with a small grocery and other services. The route continues north on Sandbar Rd. (Hanson Ridge Rd.) and about another 3.4 miles, until reaching SR146 at the hamlet of Jerles. Lewisville, OH, is about 4 miles to the east, and is another possible supply point.
85.7 [5.3] CONTINUE NORTH ON SWAZY RD.
The suggested route follows Swazy Rd. northwestward, passing through the hamlet of Swazey along the way, before reaching Bracken Bridge Rd, outside the hamlet of Ethel after 3.5 miles.
89.0 [3.3] TURN WEST ON BRACKEN BRIDGE RD.
Follow Bracken Bridge Rd. to the west for 0.2 miles, to the hamlet of Ethel.
89.2 [0.2] TURN WEST ON SR78.
Follow SR78 to the west for 1.1 miles, until reaching TR204.
90.3 [1.1] TURN NORTHWEST ON TR204.
Follow TR204 for a mile northwestward into Noble County and the village of Summerfield.
SUMMERFIELD, OH 43788. Store
91.2 [0.9] CONTINUE NORTHWEST ON SR146
In the village of Summerfield, cross SR513 and join SR146. Follow SR146 northwestward for about 3.5 miles through the small villages of Steamtown and Whigville. About 0.4 mi west of Whigville, TR228 intersects from the north.
94.5 [3.5] TURN NORTH ON TR228.
Follow TR228 to the north for 1.3 miles until reaching TR183.
96.8 [1.3] TURN WEST ON TR225
Follow TR225 to the west, then northwest, then northeast for 0.3 miles until reaching TR223 at the intersection of Mud Run Rd.
97.1 [0.3] TURN WEST ON TR223
Follow TR223 westward, then northwestward, for about about 2.2 miles to SR147.
99.3 [2.2] TURN NORTH ON SR147
The route goes north for about 0.2 miles until reaching SR566.
99.5 [0.2] TURN NORTHWEST ON SR566
The route goes northwestward for about 1.3 miles until SR574 forks off to the northwest; continue on SR 566 for another mile, reaching the Buckeye Trail crossing south of Senecaville Lake, at the entrance to Buffalo Hills Campground.
101.6 [2.1] REJOIN BUCKEYE TRAIL.
Description of this segment ends at this point.