Distance: 6 miles
Hiking time: 2-1/4 hours

Description: This hike starts at Headlands Beach and follows the blue-blazed Buckeye Trail (also called the Zimmerman Trail) along a hummock on the west side of Mentor Marsh. Tall reed grass and cattails grow in the marsh alongside stumps of dead trees from a once-lush forest. Many birds, waterfowl, and other varieties of wildlife thrive in Mentor Marsh.

Directions: From SR 2 take the exit for SR 44 (north). At the end of the off-ramp, turn left (north) directly to Headlands Beach State Park.

Parking & restrooms: Park in the lot farthest to the east (P-1). Several restrooms are located along the beach.

Headlands Beach State Park, Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, and Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve are all under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (which manages Mentor Marsh jointly with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History). Many activities, guided hikes, and programs are offered by a naturalist at Mentor Marsh Nature Center, 5185 Corduroy Rd., Mentor 44060; 216-257-0777.

The four-mile-long, 750-acre Mentor Marsh, a National Natural Landmark, features exceptional diversity of plants and animals. Many birds, ducks, reptiles, amphibians, and insects thrive in this rich environment. The miles of open area contain the tall plume grass Phragmites australis, an invasive plant that is crowding out native species.

The wetland was formed by the Grand River, which formerly flowed through what is now Mentor Marsh and emptied into Lake Erie several miles west of here. During the 800 to 1,000 years the Grand River took to find its present outlet at Fairport Harbor, the old river channel gradually changed from swamp forest to marsh.

1. Begin the hike at the Buckeye Trail sign at the north end of parking lot P-1. Beyond the sign to the right is Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. This vast accumulation of sand along the Lake Erie shoreline was created by wind and water along the western side of the mouth of the Grand River. Each year the sandy shoreline builds up and extends farther out into the lake because of the existence of the breakwall at the river's mouth.

This nature preserve is open to the public for research, nature study, bird watching, art, and photography, but visitors are asked to walk only on the sand and not disturb any of the rare plants growing here. Plant species found here include dune-making switchgrass and beach grass, sea rocket, and beach pea. Monarch butterflies often stop to rest here on their long migration between Canada and Mexico.

Start this hike by going west on the paved walkway, enjoying the views of Lake Erie. There are few blue blazes here, because the trail passes parking areas, picnic shelters, and the Ranger Office and First Aid Station.

2. At the parking area marked P-16, turn left (southeast) and go through the park service area at the sign "Service Only." Turn right (west) at Headlands Rd. and go uphill a short distance. Shipman Pond is hidden on the left (east).

3. On the left is the Shipman Pond parking lot and the start of the Zimmerman Trail. The trail is marked both with blue blazes of the Buckeye Trail and white blazes of the Zimmerman.

4. Enter cool woods to find a well-used trail with several wooden footbridges over wet spots. On the left are views of the marsh. You will see very large old oaks and maples along the trail, as well as numerous saplings.

5. Bear left at a trail intersection (1.6 miles). In the autumn and winter there are lovely long views of the marshlands on the left. Continue to follow the gently rolling trail another 1.5 miles to reach another intersection.

6. Just ahead is a wooden fence where the trail bears right and comes out to Morton Park, a recreation area with a playground, private pool, and restrooms.

The Buckeye Trail continues west along Rosemary Lane, but this hike returns back along the same route to Headlands Beach.
 

From Beyond Cleveland On Foot, (c) 1996 by Patience Cameron.  Reprinted with permission of Gray & Company, Publishers.  Beyond Cleveland On Foot offers a wide variety of walks and hikes tested and enjoyed by local enthusiasts.  Find the hikes you'll enjoy by reading about places before you set out. Then, use this guide to get there and back without getting lost-and learn a little more about northeast Ohio along the way!