Major Reroute

Date Posted

Nov 9, 2024

Section

Burton

Chapter

Crooked River Chapter

This material updates the Burton Map, Edition of March 2018 as well as earlier printed maps, and the 2024 versions of the Avenza and FarOut apps.

The Section Supervisor and a group of dedicated volunteers completed a major portion of the effort to move the Buckeye Trail off of busy Rapids Rd. This reroute adds an additional 3.3 mi to the Burton Section as well as a new Point, and shifts other Points. As a result, all Points from 24 to 32 should add 3.3 mi to their CW mi and all Points from 1-23 decrease their CCW mi by 3.3 mi if referring to a printed map from 2018 or earlier. The details of the new route are as follows:

CW 41.9 S | CCW 18.3 N | Point 24 | BT at Rapids Rd (C1)

The trail leaves the farmers field and heads S on Rapids Rd (C1). The trail follows a series of S-curves and a narrow berm. The trail exits Rapids Rd to the E in .9 miles. There is a dirt parking area at this location. Here the trail parallels Rapids Rd into a wooded area for .3 of a mile before the trail then exits back S onto Rapids Rd across from Pond Rd. The BT then follows Rapids Rd for another mile before it exits E into the woods at the Electrical Substation driveway and passes through Akron Watershed property into Eldon Russell Park (P, Pr). Hikers need to be aware that hunters are permitted on Akron Watershed Properties in this area during hunting season. Wear orange clothing (jacket, vest) if you decide to hike during this time. Cross a small ditch and reach a dirt road. 0.13 mi to the east are restrooms and a paved parking area. Turn W to follow the road 225 ft and join the Eldon Russell Nature Trail heading S as it crosses a small bridge and passes along an open field to a road. Cross the road.

CW 44.6 S | CCW 15.6 E | Point 25 | Eldon Russell Park Parking Area

Hikers need to be aware that hunters are permitted on Akron Watershed Properties in this area during hunting season. Wear orange clothing (jacket, vest) if you decide to hike during this time. From the parking, continue S on the Eldon Russell Nature Trail, cross another bridge. The Eldon Russell Nature Trail ends here and the Duane Ferris Trail begins heading W before the BT breaks off to the SW and then exits S onto Rapids Rd (C1). About 340 ft after crossing Bridge Creek on Rapids Rd, cross and exit Rapids Rd to the W going into the woods where the trail will follow Bridge Creek S to Stafford Rd. There is a dirt parking area on the east side of Rapids Rd across from Stafford. After crossing Stafford Rd, continue S along Rapids for approximately .2 mi where the trail will then enter the woods again. The trail meanders S and W through the woods until the trail crosses Rapids Rd to the W and continues on the west side of Rapids heading S again. The trail then follows a farm field S, then W, then S, (You will be behind Troy Mfg.), and then E. The trail parallels Rapids Rd on the west side and heads S through a Grove of Pine trees. Once you walk through the pines, cross Rapids Rd E and follow the trail that parallels Rapids on the East side of the Rd. After this last crossing, you won’t be on or cross Rapids Rd again. Walk along another farmers field and then turn SE to enter the woods and meander through multiple pine groves.

CW 47.5 S | CCW 12.7 NE | Point 26 | BT at Connector Trail

A white blazed trail here (Connector Trail) will take you to a dirt parking area that is across from a red Akron Watershed Maintenance building. Hikers need to be aware that hunters are permitted on Akron Watershed Properties in this area during hunting season. Wear orange clothing (jacket, vest) if you decide to hike during this time. Continue following the BT as it again follows another farmer’s field E, then S, then W before turning back into the woods. The terrain becomes a little more hilly and there are numerous pine groves. Encounter a steep hill to climb. At the top of the hill turn E on US 422 and cross the Cuyahoga River towards Welshfield. Just past a drive way leading to a pub and driving range, cross US 422 S into Troy Cemetery.

CW 49.4 S | CCW 10.8 W | Point 27 | NE Corner of Troy Cemetery

Walk down the gravel driveway into the woods. Park only on the gravel drive and not in the grass. Hikers need to be aware that hunters are permitted on Akron Watershed Properties in this area during hunting season. Wear orange clothing (jacket, vest) if you decide to hike during this time. Follow the meandering trail through numerous pine groves and two man made bridges before exiting the trail to the W onto Tilden Rd (T279). Follow Tilden Rd W and then S until you traverse a steep hill before turning WSW (R) on Allyn Rd (C281).

CW 53.4 SW | CCW 6.8 E | Point 28 | Ballpark (P) at Allyn Rd (C281) and Winchell Rd (T264)

Parking along ballfield fence along Winchell Rd. Allyn Rd and Winchell Rds travel together for 400 ft to where Allyn turns SW. Continue on Allyn Rd to reach Alpha Rd (0.1 mi, T277 ) and then turn S (left) on Alpha Rd. Continue SE on Alpha Rd, passing Cadek Rd (400ft, T749, Exits W) and Abbott Rd (400ft, C276, Exits SW). This rural route offers views of small farms, residences, and forested areas.

CW 55.8 E | 4.4 N | Point 29 | Alpha Rd (T277) at SR 82

Alpha Rd ends. Go E on SR 82, After 0.2 mi, exit SR 82, which continues into Hiram (PO: 44234), the home of Hiram College. Go S on Ryder Rd (T268) past Fairview Cemetery. After 1.0 mi, Ryder Rd ends at Pioneer Trail (C254). Go W on Pioneer Trail past Asbury Rd (0.35 mi T223, exits S).

CW 57.5 SW | CCW 2.7 E | Point 30 | Pioneer Trail (C254) at Lane into Camp Asbury

Location: 41.29418°N, -81.16279°W. An orchard and the Historic Johnson home (free tours) lie a little further W on Pioneer Trail (C254). The next segment of trail lies within a property known as Camp Asbury. This camp is owned and operated by the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Exit Pioneer Trail. Go S at Carsonite Post with BT decal on grassy lane past a sign marked “Camp Asbury” and “No Vehicles” (0.1 mi). After 0.24 mi near a sharp corner, exit the service road SW into woods on a footpath. The trail soon leaves the service road and continues into woods as a footpath heading SW. After 0.3 mi, go through a camping area. Continue to follow the Blue Blazes on their meandering way on mostly wooded trail whether it be wide and mowed or footpath through upland to wetland.

CW 59.3 SE | CCW 0.9 W | Point 31 | BT at Asbury Rd (T223)

The Camp Asbury Office is in house NE up drive on E side of Asbury Rd. Follow the footpath that goes E just S of the barn. Continue E to the NE corner of a sewage treatment facility (300’). Head SE on lawn for the bluebird house (350’). Go E and SE past Golf Frisbee Hole #16 on N End of Dam (400’). Go S across dam and climb slightly. After 450’, exit lawn onto Orange Trail in White Pine Plantation. Go S. After a brief contact with a utility right-of-way, continue mostly S in the wetland that surrounds Eagle Creek. Cross Eagle Creek (0.15 mi) and then more wetland. Ascend slightly into woods once again on dry footpath that will pass Pr (0.2 mi) and an activity area w/zip line (Keep off!) and later follow the west edge of a ravine S. After 0.22 mi, the footpath ends at the Headwaters Trail (HWT). Location: 41.27644°N, 81.16033°W. HWT is a multipurpose trail built and managed by Portage County Park District. Go W on HWT.

CW 60.2 W | 0.0 E | Point 32 | Headwaters Trail at Asbury Rd (T223)

The BURTON SECTION ends here. The trail continues CW (W) in the MOGADORE SECTION.