Major Reroute

Date Posted

Dec 18, 2024

Section

New Straitsville

Chapter

Little Cities of the Forest Chapter

This map update for New Straitsvile applies to the 2018 BTA printed map and to the 2025 Avenza and FarOut app version of the BT.

Ann Furste, Section Supervisor, and trail crew volunteers made several trail changes from Point 19 to Point 23. Point 20 has moved 0.1 miles north and new trail was built between Points 20, 21, and 22. From Point 22 to 23, the trail was routed through the Village of Shawnee, home of the BTA office, and two new camping locations were added. The total mileage of the section increased to 61.2 mi. This update also incorporates a former update dated 11-10-2024 for Point 22 (which was removed) identifying the trail change from Point 22 to Point 23 through Shawnee. See the trail log below:

CW 27.8 | CCW 34.4 E | Point 19 | SR 78 at SR 216 in Murray City

Facilities: MM, PO: 43144.
Follow BT mostly N on SR 216. Notice the large number of sealed drift mines beneath massive sandstone cliffs in Murray City. After 0.5 mi, where SR 216 turns more NW, continue N on Salem Rd. After 1.9 mi, pass Salem Cemetery. After 0.9 mi, cross into Perry Cty from Hocking Cty. Here, T21 becomes T18 but, if you are hiking, that is an unimportant technicality. Continue NW.

CW 32.4 W | CCW 28.8 SE | Point 20 | Salem Rd (T18) at Footpath

Exit Salem Rd (T18) left and immediately cross a usually dry creek bed. Follow the BT in a generally S and then W direction up and around multiple ridges. Cross an old forest road (0.6 mi), descend to cross first one creek, then another. After the second creek crossing, follow the trail and the creek bed in NW direction to cross T427 (0.7 mi from 2nd creek crossing). Cross T427 and continue N to Salem Hollow Rd (C17).

CW 35.2 | CCW 28.8 S | Point 21 | 160 ft W on Salem Hollow Rd (C17) from Intersection at T18 and T427

Follow trail another .21 mi as it turns first E, N, E and finally W. Continue 1.12 mi, meandering and ascending gradually through dense forest, passing an old oil pump, and descending down to Upper Rock Run (Mine Fire Trailhead) with several trail junctions. In 0.73 miles after following blue-blazed Carsonite posts to where the trail enters woods, ascending again through dense forest, and eventually crossing a service road under a utility line, cross Salem Hollow Rd (C17). Now descend, sometimes steeply, until you reach Tecumseh Lake (0.3mi, Point 22).

CW 37.9 N | CCW 23.3 S | Point 22 | Tecumseh Lake

Facilities: (P) No overnight parking.
Follow blue blazes across dam, turn N onto SR 93, and at the 4-way STOP, continue into the Village of Shawnee (MM,P,R,W,E, BTA Office) Overnight parking on Main St. Turn left on Main St and continue 0.6mi W, passing the BTA office in 324ft on your left. Just past Shawnee Mission Church turn left. On your right you will see a brown garage with a blue blaze on the back door. Inside are two wooden bunks, electricity, and some bottled water. Cross SR 93 at carsonite post and turn left. Follow blazes and continue in SR 93 right of way until just past a gas station. Turn right onto Upson Hollow Rd (T438). To the left is a dirt road leading to a private campground that provides parking and a pit toilet. Call Zach (740-603-8155) to reserve.
After 0.2mi on Upson Hollow Rd, the trail will turn right and enter the woods through a private property easement. Continue NW initially, then into the Wayne National Forest (0.4mi) before ending up in a beautiful, reclaimed strip mine, crossing limestone rocks battling acid mine drainage with a waterfall off to the left. Descend to Rock Run Rd (0.27mi, T41). Go NW on Rock Run Rd for 0.11mi before making a short, steep climb on an unused access road that parallels Rock Run. After 0.2mi leave the old access road and turn W through a white pine forest on footpath. In 0.45mi, turn NW onto Old Town Rd (C38), cross Monday Creek (450’), pass (T190, exits SW), and turn NE with Old Town Rd.