Hiking Schedule

Watch your email for additional spur-of-the-moment activities, especially in winter.

Thursday Evenings

Bike, Hike, or ski (in season) with the Akron Bicycle Club on Thursday evenings. Activities take place on the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath and local roads in the CVNP. Everything goes whether rain or dry. Dinner afterward about 8:15 pm.

We always meet at 6:30 pm. From October through March, meet at Lock 29 in Peninsula. From April through September, meet at Deep Lock Quarry, ¾ miles south on Riverview Road.

Look for last minute announcements on the Why Not Adventure e-mail list.

Sunday Morning Hikes

Fall 2008—spring 2009

Particulars:

• Hikes leave at 9:00 am
• They last 2–3 hours
• Dress according to the weather: We hike in all types of weather. Trails can be muddy with creek crossings.
• There is lunch after the hikes at local restaurants; sometimes we have pot-luck picnics. Check back here for changes.
• This is a friendly group which enjoys meeting new people. If you're new, just show up and introduce yourself to others.
• Children and dogs are welcome. Dogs on leashes, please.
• Most hikes have two levels: A faster pace and a social pace. Trails or bushwhacking when able.

November 2: Chagrin River Park. Start at 10:00am

Chagrin River Park is in Willoughby. It's located off Reeves Road, right by SR-2 and Lost Nation Road. From the west side you would take SR-2 east to Lost Nation Road, head north on Lost Nation and immediately go into the left lane and turn left onto Reeves Road. The park entrance will be on your left as soon as you turn onto Reeves. There are pavilions, picnic tables, a playground area for kids, a sand volleyball court, clean restrooms, nice trails with views of the Chagrin River, and of course, lots of deer. Liz R. leading.

November 9: French Creek, (Lorain Co.)

Take I-90 west to Exit 151 (Colorado Ave. / SR-611) and turn right (west). Continue into Sheffield Lake. (Look for the Backpacker Shop on your left after Abbe Road intersection—you might want to stop there after lunch!) After RR tracks and Sheffield / Sheffield Lake Middle School at Harris Road, go a few hundred feet to the French Creek Nature Center on left. We will meet at the Nature Center door. Usually banners mark the entrance area. (Look for Crocker Basset exit—this is where Crocker Park is in Westlake. Trader Joe's is south on Crocker Basset and sort of like Legacy Village.) Dennis K. leading.

November 16: Lock 29 to Pine Lane (CVNP)

Meet at the Lock 29 Trailhead. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again re-entering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 about 2.2 miles to Locust St. and turn left. Drive one block north and turn left. Follow this street to the Lock 29 Trailhead on the left. From I-271 take exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 about 2.2 miles to Locust St. and turn left. Drive one block north and turn left. Follow this street to the Lock 29 Trailhead on the left.

November 23: North Chagrin Reservation (Cuyahoga Co.)

Meet at the Sanctuary Marsh parking area. From I-271, take Exit 36 (Wilson Mills Rd.). Follow Wilson Mills east to S.O.M. Center Rd. and turn left. Turn right at the park entrance on Sunset Ln. At the stop sign turn right on the Buttermilk Falls Pkwy. Parking area entrance is past Ox Lane on the right. Park Maps.

November 30: Riding Run/ Perkins Trail (CVNP)

Meet at the Everett Road Covered Bridge. From I-77 south take Exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Drive about 1.8 miles on Wheatley Road to the parking area entrance on the right just beyond the sharp left turn. From I-271, take exit 12 for SR-303. Drive east on SR-303 about 2 miles to Riverview Road and turn right. Follow Riverview Road 2.7 miles to Everett Road and turn right. The parking lot entrance is on the left. Lois leading. Post Turkey Day Bash (food provided) after the hike at Karen's.

December 7: Mill Stream Run (Cuyahoga Co.)

Meet at the parking area. From I-71 take exit SR-82 in Strongsville. Travel east on SR-82 to Valley Pkwy and turn right. Follow Valley Pkwy. a short distance to Royalview Lane and turn right. The parking lot is at the very end of Royalview Lane. Lori B leading.

December 14: Horseshoe Pond (CVNP)

Meet at Deep Lock Quarry From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again re-entering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 about 2.2 miles to Riverview Rd. Turn right and go about ½ mile and turn left into parking lot. From I-271 take exit 12 for SR 303. Turn right and follow SR 303 about 2.2 miles to Riverview Rd. Turn right and drive ½ mile and turn left into parking lot

December 21: Penitentiary Glen (Lake Co.)

From I-90 take Exit 193 (SR-306). Follow SR 306 south to Kirtland-Chardon Road (at the foot of the hill) and turn left (southeast). Continue southeast on Kirtland-Chardon for two miles. The entrance for Penitentiary Glen Reservation is on the right.

December 28: Brecksville Reservation (Cuyahoga Co.)

Meet at Starbucks at 8869 Brecksville Rd. just north of SR-82. Parking is in the back.

January 4: Boston Run (CVNP)

Possible XC ski! Meet at the parking lot of Happy Days Visitor Center. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again reentering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303 and turn right. Drive east on SR-303 about 5 miles passing through Peninsula. The parking lot will be on the left. Watch for signs. From I-271 north take exit 18 for SR-8 south. Follow SR-8 south to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right on to SR-303 toward CVNP and Peninsula. The parking lot is on the right about 1-2 miles. Watch for signs. Tony leading.

January 11: Chapin Forest (Lake Co.)

Possible XC ski! From I-90, take exit 193 (SR-306). Drive south on SR-306 to Chardon Road and turn right. Take Chardon Road to Hobart Road, the second street on the right. Turn onto Hobart Road; the park entrance is just ahead on the right.

January 18: Buckeye Sports

Possible XC ski! Meet at Buckeye Sports 4610 State Road. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again re-entering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303 and turn right. Drive east on SR-303 about 5 miles to Akron-Cleveland Road, (BP gas station on the corner) and turn right. Follow Akron-Cleveland Road south about 2.5 miles to Buckeye Sports on the right. From I-271 north take exit 18 for SR-8 south. Follow SR-8 to exit 12 for SR-303. Cross over SR-303 and follow Akron-Cleveland Road south about 2.5 miles to Buckeye Sports on the right.

January 25: Towner Woods, (Portage Co.)

If snow bring XC skis, sleds, tubes, etc. for the sled hill after the hike. From the north use I-480 to SR-14 or SR-303 to Streetsboro intersection of (SR-303, 14, and 43). Go south (right) on SR-43. Go about 4 miles to Ravenna Rd. and turn east (left). Go about 2 miles on Ravenna to Towners Woods. From the west use I-77 to I-80 east (turnpike) and exit at SR-14 Streetsboro and follow directions from north above. From the south use I-76 East to SR-43. Turn north (left) and travel 3 miles to Kent and follow SR-43 signs thru Kent. In about 2 miles north of Kent is Ravenna Rd. Turn east (right) on Ravenna and go 2 more miles to Towners Woods.

February 1: Bedford Reservation, (Cuyahoga Co.)

Directions later, but see a PDF of the Park Map

October 8: Oak Hill (CVNP)

Meet at the Everett Road Covered Bridge. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Drive about 1.8 miles on Wheatley Road to the parking area entrance on the right just beyond the sharp left turn. From I-271, take exit 12 for SR-303. Drive east on SR-303 about 2 miles to Riverview Road and turn right. Follow Riverview Road 2.7 miles to Everett Road and turn right. The parking lot entrance is on the left.

February 15: Salt Run Trail. (CVNP)

Possible XC ski! Meet at Kendall Lake Shelter House. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again reentering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1 mile to the entrance on the right for Kendall Lake parking. From I-271, take exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1.5 miles to the entrance on the right for Kendall Lake parking.

February 22: The Gorge Park (Summit Co.)

Take I-271 South to Route 8 exit. Go south on SR-8 to Broad Ave exit and turn right. At the first light turn left. This will be Front Street. Go past one traffic light. About a half mile past the light, the Gorge Metro Park entrance will be on the right.

March 1: South Chagrin (Cuyahoga Co.)

Meet at the Squaw Rock Picnic Area. From I-271 take US-422 east to S.O.M. Center Road exit. Turn left on S.O.M. Center and drive north to Hawthorn Pkwy. and turn right. Follow Hawthorn until it dead ends into the parking area.

March 8: Pine Grove Trail (CVNP)

Meet at the Kendall Lake Shelter House. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again reentering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1 mile to the entrance on the right for Kendall Lake parking. From I-271, take exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1 mile to the entrance on the right for Kendall Lake parking.

Mar 15: Whipp's Ledges (Medina Co.)

Buzzard Sunday!! Meet at the Hinckley Lake parking area. From I-271 take exit 3 at Ridge Road (SR-94, Remsen Corners). Go north on Ridge Road to Hinckley Hills Road (SR-606). Turn right on Hinckley Hills Road to Bellus Road, then turn right on Bellus Road. Follow Bellus Road to E. Metropolitan Dr. and turn right. Follow the road up the hill into the Park. The parking area will be on your left. Look for signs for Whipp's Ledges.

Mar 22: Buckeye Trail South (CVNP)

Meet at Red Lock. [Directions later, but this is opposite the entrance to Brandywine Ski Resort, and the parking lot is small.]

March 29: Ledges Hike and Potluck Game Day!! (CVNP)

Meet at the Ledges Shelter. From I-77 south take exit 143 (Wheatley Road) and turn left. Turn left again reentering I-77 north. Turn right onto I-271 north. Follow I-271 to exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1.5 miles to the drive on the left. From I-271, take exit 12 for SR-303. Turn right and follow SR-303 to Akron-Peninsula Road and turn right. Drive Akron-Peninsula Road to Truxell Road and turn left. Follow Truxell Road about 1.5 miles to the drive on the left.

Bring a dish to share and games to play for after the hike!

April 5: Mentor Lagoon, (Lake Co.)

Meet in the parking lot. From Cleveland take I-90 east to SR 2. Take SR 2 east to SR-615 and travel north. Stay on SR 615 through a residential area and cross SR-283 into the park.

April 12: Easter—No Hike

April 19: Waterfall Hike (CVNP)

Pack a lunch to eat on the hike! Meet at Brandywine Falls parking area. From I-77 take exit 147 (Miller Road) and turn left. Follow Miller to SR-21 and turn right. Take SR 21 to Snowville Road (the next light) and turn left. Drive to the end of Snowville Road and turn left onto Riverview Road. At the next stop sign turn right onto Vaughn Road. Follow Vaughn Road about 1.8 miles and turn right onto Brandywine Road. Follow Brandywine Road to Stanford Road and turn right. The parking lot entrance will be on the left. From I-271 take SR-8 south to E. Hines Hills Road and turn right. Follow E. Hines Hills Road to Brandywine Road and turn right. Follow Brandywine Road to Stanford Road and turn left. The parking lot entrance will be on the left.

April 26: O'Neill Woods (Summit Co.)

Shakespeare's Birthday and Poetry hike. Entrance on Martin Road in Bath. From I-77 or I-271, exit Wheatley Road, where I-77 and I-271 meet. Take Wheatley east to Riverview, right on Riverview to Ira Road, right on Ira, then jog left at Martin just after the RR tracks. Parking lot entrance is shortly past the top of the hill. Gary leading.

May 2: Hog's Back Ridge (Lake Co.) 11:00am Start!

Lunch will be at local wineries. Meet at the Hog’s Back Ridge parking area. From Cleveland take I-90 east to SR-528 (exit 212), head south on SR-528 to Griswold Road turning left. Take Griswold to Emerson Road and turn left. Entrance is at the end of Emerson. Mike D. leading.

May 10: Hampton Hills (CVNP).

From I-271 South take exit SR-8 and head south. Exit at Steels Corners Rd. Go west on Steels Corners Rd. about 5 miles to Akron-Peninsula Rd. Turn south on Akron-Peninsula Rd. and go ¼ mile to the main park entrance on the left. Coming south on I-77, take exit 143 (Wheatley Rd.). Turn left on Wheatley Rd. and go down the hill into the Valley. The road turns into Everett Rd. Turn right at Riverview road. Turn left on Ira road. Turn right on Akron-Peninsula Road. The main park entrance is on the left.

May 17: Holden Arboretum Hike (Lake Co.)

End of Hiking Season! From Cleveland take I-90 east to Mentor (Kirtland Exit 193) and turn right on SR-306. Continue on SR-306 to the bottom of the hill and turn left on SR-615. At the first traffic light, turn right on Kirtland-Chardon Road. Travel 3.6 miles to Sperry Road and turn left. Travel 1.4 miles and turn left on the main drive to reach the Warren H. Corning Visitor Center. Pot Luck picnic after hike.

Maintained by Bob Iden