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Scioto Trail Section Trail Alerts:
Effective immediately the BT in Scioto Trail Section is changed between points 10 and 12. Clockwise at point 10 the trail turns west on Musgrove Road and after a short distance turns south up a valley. It proceeds south over a hill and comes out on US 35 where it goes through a pedestrian underpass. On the SE side of US-35 it proceeds through a series of switchbacks up to the top of the hill (about a mile). It then follows a logging road around the hill, traverses along a short section of off-road trail to avoid a steep hill, rejoins the logging road and continues to a parking area adjacent to a cell tower. The trail then follows this road down the hill to the south, crosses the railroad tracks, over a low locked gate, across old US 35 and on to Higby Road. Follow Higby Road SW to Three Locks Road (point 13).
This eliminates the road hike down Vigo Road through Richmond Dale and out old 35 to Higby Road.
SEE map and detailed information below: |  |
| CW |
CCW |
Pt |
Description |
0.0
W |
6.9
N |
10 |
Lickskillet on Musgrove Rd. (C-213B)
Note that Pt. 10 is actually somewhat E of where it is drawn on the June 2005 Edition of the Scioto Trail Section map. This error affects the drawing only and has no affect on the distance between Pt. 9 and 10. On the attached drawing, new trail is marked in red. Off-road trail is marked by a solid line. On-road trail is marked by a dotted line. BT turns W onto Musgrove Rd. past Goshen Run Church and Myers Rd. (1460', T-525, exits N).
|
1.3
S |
5.6
E |
11 |
Musgrove Rd. at Driveway
BT leaves Musgrove Rd. and turns S onto the
more westerly of the two driveways that exit S here. In 1000', BT leaves driveway and continues S across lawn towards an electric utility pole. Just past utility pole, BT fords intermittent stream and continues S on mowed path.
In 540', BT fords a second intermittent stream and immediately turns NW in a broad turn. For the next 5000', the trail will be on an old forest road that was important enough to be recognized on the Richmond Dale Quadrangle. However, several other traces with similar footprint intersect this forest road. The blazing was adequate but not transparent when I walked the trail in early June.
In 400', BT reaches a low ridge and turns sharply S.In 1100' at a "crossroads", BT makes an ascending turn and heads NW. In 1200', BT passes an interesting log house in an advanced state of disrepair. Associated outbuildings have mostly collapsed. BT continues W but soon rounds a hogback and turns SE. Approaching another hogback, BT turns back W.
|
2.6
S |
4.3
E |
A |
Hogback
From this vantage point, you can see the culvert that ODOT constructed for the North Country Trail to pass beneath US-35. Fortunately, BT and NCT are partners. Otherwise, one can only guess that permanent loss of trail, as occurred in Hocking County when US-33 was reconstructed, would have resulted.
The blue line that passes just SW of Pt. A more correctly represents the route of US-35 than does the blue line marked with the shield and shown on the original map.
BT descends towards the culvert and passes beneath US 35. BT turns S on bench built by ODOT on grassy fill. In 360', BT turns back towards corner in highway fence (no bench). At corner of fence, BT begins arc that leads to an opening in the pile of logs that line the north edge of this area of grassy fill. Remember that this is all grassy fill. There is no established, marked trail. As long as you do not climb the highway fence and manage to hit the gap in the logs mentioned above, you will do just fine.
In 920', BT fords an intermittent stream in broad swale and then begins a long ascent on newly benched footpath in woods with graceful climbing turn and several switchbacks. In 3900', BT turns SE onto an inactive skid road that undulates and winds along a wooded ridge. In 2300' as skid road begins an ascent, BT turns SW onto footpath that returns to the skid road in a saddle in 780'.
|
4.6
W |
2.3
E |
B |
Crossroads near Microwave Relay
You have come this far. The wonderful view across the Scioto R. valley from Hang Glider Hill is just 560' SE past the fenced tower. Go for it!
BT joins service road and descends W to saddle. Here, service road turns sharply S and descends more steeply. At the bottom of the hill (2100'), service road turns NW parallel to CSX tracks. In 1500', service road turns W across the CSX tracks and through a gate.
|
5.6
W |
1.3
E |
12 |
Service Road at US-35 and Higby Rd. (C-206)
BT joins Higby Rd. heading E past the drive that was Pt. 12 on the June 2005 Edition of the Scioto Trail Section map.
|
6
S |
0.0
NE |
13 |
Higby Rd (C-206 NE and C-205 S) at Three Locks Road (C-205)
This location marks the end of the log changes that were created by the US-35 relocation. Although some trail remains on road, the relocation created 4.3 miles of off-road trail that was formerly all on road and reduced the length of the segment, and the section as well, by 1.3 miles.
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End of Trail Alerts
 The Scioto Trail Section traverses portions of
Vinton, Hocking, Ross and Pike counties. These are the legendary
foothills of the Appalachians - beautiful southern Ohio hill
country. The BT passes through three state forests - Tar
Hollow State Forest, Scioto
Trail State Forest, and Pike
State Forest. These forests have state
parks nearby, affording plentiful camping and recreational
facilities for individuals and groups. The trail through the
state forests is either off-road or on state forest access roads.
The Scioto Trail Section begins on State Route 327 just east of
Tar Hollow State Forest. It works its way northwest through the
forest up to the Tar Hollow Fire Tower, then southward through
state forest and private lands to US Route 50, just west of
Londonderry. These miles provide some beautiful sections of
forested off-road trail as well as some spectacular views of the
surrounding countryside from a variety of ridgetops. The Buckeye
Trail then connects to Scioto Trail State Forest via pastureland,
backcountry roads and picturesque off-road ridgetops overlooking
the Scioto River valley, crossing the Scioto River just before
entering the Scioto Trail State Forest. The trail west of Scioto
Trail State Forest follows mostly remote, scenic backroads to the
small crossroads of Nipgen, just outside of Pike State Forest.
The western terminus of the section is in Pike State Forest,
southeast of Pike Lake Dam.
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Information on this page is provided as a service by the
Buckeye Trail Association. It is believed accurate, but not
guaranteed. Changes may occur at anytime. When known, such
changes will be noted on this web site, and in Trailblazer, the BTA's bi-monthly
publication. The Buckeye Trail Association is not responsible for
any errors, omissions or changes to the information on this page.
If you note any errors, please contact the Buckeye Trail
Association, PO Box 254, Worthington, Ohio, 43085, or E-Mail the
webmaster.
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Last updated: Jan. 19, 2010
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This page Copyright (c) 2007-2010 by the Buckeye Trail Association
Some sign images used above are from the Manual of
Traffic Signs
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