Miami Erie Towpath Trail - NCT

This Labor Day I found myself with a bit of free time and decided to get some more mileage on the NCT (North Country Scenic Trail). I’ve been trying not to duplicate NCT miles this year so I have to get creative with how far and which routes I take. I’ve already hit my 100 mile goal on the NCT this year but why not go for broke.

Today I decided to tackle the second half of a trail I started in June. In Northwest Ohio, the NCT runs concurrently with the Buckeye Trail and the Miami/Erie Canal Towpath Trail. I had previously hiked the towpath section from Independence Dam State Park to the city of Florida, Ohio. That was about 6 miles but I misjudged the distance and wasn’t able to finish the stretch from Florida to Napoleon. I intended to write this wrong today.

While it’s often difficult to find worthwhile forest hiking in Northwest Ohio, the Miami/Erie towpath is an exception. The pathway follows the canal (always on the left if you’re hiking north) and the Maumee River, though sometimes at a distance depending on the location. There is just enough forest cover on either side to provide for a feeling of isolation despite the proximity to the rural community.

The canal, originally built from 1825-1845 created a water route from the Ohio River to Lake Erie but with the advent of the railroads in the 1850’s the canal gradually declined until it was officially shuttered in 1913. Now, the towpath trail allows not only for a forested, gentle hike, but also provides an opportunity to hearken back to an earlier time which the economy of the nation relied upon rivers and canals such as these.

To reach the trailhead, just set your trusty navigational device to downtown (I use that term loosely) Florida. The trailhead is just before you cross the large bridge over the Maumee River.

You start the trail in a large field of corn which starts narrow then widens before narrowing again as it rejoins the river.

The corn lasts for the first mile or so before drawing in near to the river. The area is used by hunters and several shacks and lodges line the trail. The trail typically stays on the narrow ridge between the canal and the river but sporadically dips down for some beautiful views.

At this point the canal empties out into the river and briefly is gone. However, it reemerges but this time dry, or at least not filled with water. In the absence of water  a myriad of trees have emerged, mostly oak, black walnut, cottonwood, and even the storied Ohio state tree:

After about 2 miles the trail moves away from the river for another mile. Now I’m not 100% sure that I wasn’t trespassing during this period of time. The trail, as best as I can figure, cuts along the edge of a farmer’s cornfield. There isn’t much cover so the temperatures can heat up rapidly. This wasn’t my favorite portion of the trail both due to the heat and also due to the fact I was half expecting a pitchfork wielding farmer to come chase me off his property.

The trail becomes more obvious after it leaves the field and Canal survey marker signs let you know that you’re never far from the historic route. It works rejoins the river again as you near the edge of Napoleon.

I actually stopped about 5.3 miles in at the edge of Napoleon primarily because I didn’t want to do any road hiking and I knew I had to hike the 5.3 miles back out.

In summary, the Miami/Erie towpath is a nice, surprisingly secluded hike considering the surrounding area. I didn’t encounter another person on the trail and the canopy kept the trail shaded about 75% of the time. The hiking is beyond easy. If you combine this section with the nearby stretch starting at Independence Dam State Park, you can make a really nice 20 mile round trip that wouldn’t be too strenuous. It’s a nice stretch of the NCT in an area where the majority of the miles are road miles.

DTE Energy Foundations Trail in Waterloo Recreation Area

In June of this year, the DTE Energy Foundation Trail was opened in Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea, Michigan. Intended as the first of five mountain bike trails, the Foundation Trail is 5.2 miles near Green Lake in the northeast area of the park. Organized by the Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association of Southeastern Michigan and created with over a quarter million in donations from DTE Energy Foundation and $360k (and counting) from other sources, the DTE Energy Foundation Trail is the first mountain biking trail in Waterloo. Another loop is set to be opened each year until 2020. The total mileage of this project is to be approximately 20 miles. 

Having hiked the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail for the last 7 or 8 years, I am familiar with the area. In fact, when I heard that a new mountain biking trail was being created near Green Lake, I was curious and a bit anxious. Nearby Green Lake Campground is one of the highlights of the trip for me and I (as the selfish hiker) didn’t want the trail ‘ruined’ by the presence of mountain bikers. After a quick email, I was reassured that this trail would be completely separate from the WP. Having my fears allayed, I was now free to get excited about new access to one of my favorite areas of the park.

Over my years of camping near Green Lake I have encountered Sandhill Cranes nearly every trip, multitudes of deer, and often hear coyotes in the evening due to this area’s isolation from development. It has become a highlight of my trip and I have been looking forward to getting a chance to explore this new avenue into the hitherto inaccessible countryside.

On a sunny September day I set out of for my first experience of the new trail and I wanted to give a short review. I hope you enjoy and find this helpful for planning purposes.

I was a bit skeptical of being able to locate the trailhead, which is off of M-52. The easiest way to get there is to take I94 to the Old US Hwy 12 exit (exit 159) and follow M-52 north through downtown Chelsea. The trailhead (which is also denoted on Google Maps) is just before the intersection of M-52 and North Territorial Rd. It will be on the left-hand side of the road. The trailhead has a vault toilet and access to a hand pump for water. There is no camping in this area of Waterloo Recreation Area. The nearest campground is at Green Lake which a biker could access by getting back on M-52 and taking it south to Green Lake Access Road. It’s 1.7 mile walk from the Foundation Trailhead.

A helpful map

Be sure to follow the trail direction for the day

A comprehensive map (with trail features! A win in my book) is available at the trailhead.

Be sure to note the walking/riding restrictions for the day. There is a system arraigned so that hikers and bikers do not conflict with each other.

As I started on a Saturday, I hiked the trail clockwise. The trail heads south along a marsh before following the shoreline of Green Lake for the first mile and a half. You never get truly close to the shore but you can often see it through a frame of trees. After the first mile, the trail turns westward and away from the lake. It does get one last glimpse at the lake near a big oak tree (also noted on the map).

The trail heads south and west eventually overlooking a pond not far from Cassidy Road at about the 2.5 mile mark.

After about a winding mile long section through the woods in which the trial almost folds into itself, it emerges at “Cedar Bend”. The next mile is the best of the trail as it skirts along the edge of a stony hillside. To the west is a large grassy expanse of covered wetland. From the hillside, one has enough height to see the entire marshland. The scene would be a perfect for a sunset stroll. A few small ponds dot the flat expanse. Hikers should be cautious here though as bikers roll through this section at higher speeds than elsewhere on the trail.

A wonderful view of "The Sunset Coast"

The 'cairn' of Cairn Corner

After entering the woods again at the 4.5 mile mark the trail passes by several boulder piles and an interesting conglomerate rock before finishing the loop again at the 5.2 mile mark.

The start and finish of the trail

Overall, this trail is a classic example of the moraine-type landscape typical of the region. I would rate it as easy to moderate with no steep inclines of note. It is an interesting way to explore more of the undeveloped areas of the Waterloo Recreation Area.