Follow the Blue Blazes

by Pond, Robert J.

• ISBN13: 9780821414897
• ISBN10: 0821414895
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Ohio Univ Pr

Summary

Athens, Ohio--Ohio is blessed with a unique, 1,200-mile hiking trail that forms a complete loop around the state. The Buckeye Trail--"BT" to those in the know--is the longest loop trail in the nation and crosses more than 40 of Ohio's 88 counties. Showing the way on tree trunks, rocks, and other natural signposts are "the blue blazes," painted blue marks that guide hikers along canal towpaths, abandoned railroad right-of-ways, rivers, farms, nature preserves--even urban environments. FOLLOW THE BLUE BLAZES: A Guide to Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail, published by Ohio University Press on May 1, 2003, is the only book that introduces readers to the entire trail. It takes readers on hikes that "may lead you on a Walden-like journey of personal discovery," writes author Robert J. Pond. The Buckeye Trail is within a short drive of any Ohioan. In addition to many outlying areas, the extensive trail is accessible in or near Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Cleveland, and Akron. Beginning with the striking rock formations and graceful waterfalls of Old Man's Cave in southern O

Author Biography

Robert J. Pond is a native of Hillsboro, Ohio, and a graduate of Ohio State University. He makes his home on the shores of Buckeye Lake

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xv
How to Use This Guide	xvii
Key to Maps and Abbreviations	xviii
CHAPTER 1 HIKING THE BUCKEYE TRAIL	1	(14)
The Need to Hike	3	(12)
Trail Markings	4	(1)
Planning Is Crucial	5	(3)
Safety and Comfort on the Trail	8	(4)
Bicycling and the Buckeye Trail	12	(1)
The Buckeye Trail Association	12	(2)
Contacts	14	(1)
CHAPTER 2 SOUTHERN WONDERLAND	15	(23)
Overview	17	(4)
Featured Hike 1-Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls	21	(6)
Featured Hike 2-Tar Hollow State Forest	27	(6)
Featured Hike 3-Scioto Trail State Park	33	(4)
Local Contacts	37	(1)
CHAPTER 3 THE BLUEGRASS REGION	38	(21)
Overview	39	(6)
Featured Hike 1-Pike Lake State Park	45	(3)
Featured Hike 2-Fort Hill	48	(7)
Featured Hike 3-Shawnee State Forest	55	(3)
Local Contacts	58	(1)
CHAPTER 4 OHIO RIVER COUNTRY	59	(23)
Overview	61	(6)
Featured Hike 1-Buzzardroost Rock	67	(4)
Featured Hike 2-Ripley	71	(5)
Featured Hike 3-East Fork State Park	76	(4)
Local Contacts	80	(2)
CHAPTER 5 THE LITTLE MIAMI RIVER VALLEY	82	(25)
Overview	83	(8)
Featured Hike 1-Eden Park	91	(5)
Featured Hike 2-Fort Ancient	96	(5)
Featured Hike 3-John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge	101	(5)
Local Contacts	106	(1)
CHAPTER 6 PLANES, TRAINS, BICYCLES, AND CANAL BOATS	107	(26)
Overview	109	(7)
Featured Hike 1-USAF Museum to Wright Memorial Hill	116	(4)
Featured Hike 2-The Locks at Lockington	120	(7)
Featured Hike 3-The Miami & Erie State Trail (MEST)	127	(5)
Local Contacts	132	(1)
CHAPTER 7 THE GREAT BLACK SWAMP	133	(25)
Overview	135	(7)
Featured Hike 1-Defiance and Independence Dam	142	(4)
Featured Hike 2-Oak Openings	146	(6)
Featured Hike 3-Providence Metropark to Roche de Bout	152	(4)
Local Contacts	156	(2)
CHAPTER 8 THE WATERSHED TRAIL	158	(24)
Overview	159	(8)
Featured Hike 1-Wolf Creek Park	167	(4)
Featured Hike 2-Findley State Park	171	(4)
Featured Hike 3-Hinckley Reservation	175	(5)
Local Contacts	180	(2)
CHAPTER 9 CONNECTICUT'S WESTERN RESERVE: BIG LOOP TO LITTLE LOOP	182	(24)
Overview	183	(11)
Featured Hike 1-Brecksville Reservation	194	(4)
Featured Hike 2-Canal Fulton	198	(4)
Featured Hike 3-Chapin Forest	202	(3)
Local Contacts	205	(1)
CHAPTER 10 THE UPPER CUYAHOGA RIVER: EAST BRANCH OF THE LITTLE LOOP	206	(22)
Overview	207	(9)
Featured Hike 1-Mentor Marsh	216	(3)
Featured Hike 2-West Branch State Park	219	(3)
Featured Hike 3-Quail Hollow State Park	222	(5)
Local Contacts	227	(1)
CHAPTER 11 LAKE COUNTRY	228	(23)
Overview	229	(10)
Featured Hike 1-Fort Laurens to Zoar Village	239	(4)
Featured Hike 2-Clendening Lake	243	(4)
Featured Hike 3-Salt Fork State Park	247	(2)
Local Contacts	249	(2)
CHAPTER 12 HILL COUNTRY	251	(23)
Overview	253	(9)
Featured Hike 1-The American Electric Power Recreation Lands	262	(3)
Featured Hike 2-Burr Oak Lake	265	(3)
Featured Hike 3-Wayne National Forest	268	(5)
Local Contacts	273	(1)
CHAPTER 13 MAKING IT ALL POSSIBLETHE BLUE BLAZES, OF COURSE!	274	(12)
The Pioneers	274	(4)
The Maintainers	278	(5)
The Present: Looking to the Future	283	(3)
Appendix 1: Geologic History of Ohio	286	(4)
Appendix 2: Geologic Map of Ohio	290	(1)
Bibliography	291	(2)
Index	293