Buckeye Trail - Mogadore

Mogadore Section

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Trail Description

Supervisor: Russ Flesher

55.7 Total Miles / 18.4 Off Road Miles (33.0%)
Map Publication Date: December 2019

Welcome to one of the highest regions of Ohio's glaciated Appalachian Plateau. This section is characterized by its flatness and its glacial features - end moraines, ground moraine, kames, eskers and mature kettle lakes. Often one can barely tell when one passes from one drainage to another. The trail begins along the Headwaters Trail in the Eagle Creek drainage which flows into the Mahoning R. Within a couple of miles, the trail passes bogs in the Cuyahoga R drainage and then crosses the Cuyahoga R itself in Mantua. Mantua is a small Western Reserve village with restaurants and a post office. A few miles later, the trail, now on road, crosses one of the highest points on the BT in the state. Shortly, the trail passes closely by the West Branch of the Mahoning R which the trail stays near through West Branch State Park and on. The trail crosses SR 44 south of Ravenna near Rootstown. Here is a good location for resupply with a major grocery only .5 mi south of that intersection. With planning, the Rootstown post office is easily reached. West of SR 44, the trail returns to the area drained by streams that flow into the Cuyahoga R. This condition lasts all the way into Hartville. Although the amount of trail off road is relatively low, the trail offers many opportunities to view the natural terrain along the Headwaters Trail, unimproved trail in West Branch State Park and along Mogadore Reservoir as well as the trails in Quail Hollow State Park. Between Mogadore Reservoir and Quail Hollow State Park, the trail, again on road, passes Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake hangar where all of their blimps have been assembled. You may see the current occupant of the hangar, Goodyear's new semi-rigid Zeppelin airship, Wingfoot Three, as you pass.

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Trail Alerts

  • (7/17/18) Dam Failure

    Bill Jindra, the Mogadore Section Supervisor, has reported a problem with the trail between between Points 8 and 9 in his section. The map describes a dam that often fails. The dam has failed again. ODNR has no plans to repair or replace the dam. The area continues to erode further back into the pond bed which at this point is just an open, weedy area. At present, no detour has been proposed but the trail does remain open. See details in red in the log below.

    Jindra also reported that Rock Spring Road is closed to vehicular traffic while work to address erosion on the west side of the causeway just south of point 9 is underway. However, hikers may still use the trail.


    CW CCW Pt
    16.9
    E
    38.4
    NE
    8 Knapp Rd at Footpath into West Branch State Park (WBSP)
    A white-blazed side trail continues SW on Knapp Rd. See Bypass Log for details. The bypass rejoins BT at S end of reservoir and completes a loop hike through WBSP. BT turns E onto footpath into park and meanders generally NE through mostly wet, early succession “woods”. After 3400', BT crosses a small stream, soon turns S slightly above creek w/beaver ponds and ascends to the first of several rotting shelters that were used by Akron Outing Club while constructing this trail in the late 1980’s. No camping is allowed here! In 2000', BT crosses a railroad culvert that contains Hinkley Creek, a major stream. Later (5900'), BT crosses the remains of a dam that once impounded a small stream. The creek crossing is muddy and may be difficult, even dangerous, at high water. Just past dam, BT turns S through more wet, early succession “woods”.
    CW CCW Pt
    19.8
    S
    35.8
    W
    9 Entrance to Parking Area on Rock Spring Rd N of Causeway

Map Updates

  • (12/10/19)A new map for Mogadore has now been published.
  • (7/29/16)Shaw Woods Campsite

    A primitive campsite with a picnic table is available off the main entrance trail at Shaw Woods Park by reservation and special permit from the Portage Park District. Contact the Park District at (330) 297-7728 or admin@portageparkdistrict.org .
    Assuming that you have your special permit, the campsite may be reached from Pt A (See below.) which is located between Pt 5 and Pt 6 on your Mogadore Section Map, Edition of July 2011. Follow the main trail W past the parking lot into the woods. After 0.2 mi, turn S. After 0.15 mi, follow white blazes that mark a footpath that heads W to campsite above a stream. Please carry out all trash including any that you may find there.

    CW CCW Pt Description
    10.6
    NE
    44.8
    N
    5. Peck Rd at SR-88
    Leaving Peck Rd, go NE on SR 88 heading NE past Maplewood Christian church with ball field and picnic shelter. After 0.28 mi, exit SR 88 onto Beechwood Rd. Head E across West Branch Mahoning R (0.16 mi). After 0.8 mi at a sharp turn, Beechwood Rd ends. Go S on road that is named Beery Rd. The fenced property along the E side of Beery Rd is named Ravenna Training and Logistics Site (RTLS).This property under various names, including Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant (RVAAP), has produced munitions for World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam Conflict. In recent years, RVAAP leases a small part of RTLS on which to decommission military ordnance. The Ohio Army Guard uses more and more of the site for various training exercises.
    12.5
    S
    42.9
    N
    A. Beery Rd at Entrance to Shaw Woods Park C, P, PT) [81.19286°W, 41.18307°N]
    Continue S on Beery Rd. After 0.4 mi, Beery Rd ends. Turn E onto McCormick Rd. And in 0.3 mi where road and trail turn sharply S, road is renamed as Garrett Rd.
    14.2
    E
    41.2
    N
    6. Garrett Rd at Newton Falls Rd
    Turn E onto Newton Falls Rd, etc.

Trail Towns

Village of Mantua

On July 14, 2018, Andrew Bashaw, Executive Director of the Buckeye Trail Association welcomed the village of Mantua as the 10th Buckeye Trail Town. The festivities took place at the bridge at the Headwaters Trailhead. Bashaw commended the village for becoming a Trail Town, welcoming Buckeye Trail travelers with hospitality during their visits to the area. He noted the opportunity this partnership provides, the prospect “for us to do more and more over time.” Mantua Village Mayor Linda Clark concurred, sharing; “This is an excellent opportunity for your community.”

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