My wife and co-blogger, Julie, and I have completed the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge in the past, taking most of the year to do it. This year, I decided to do something different, and complete the challenge in one week. I picked the first full week of February (5 days: February 5-9, 2024) to hike "... in 10 different Cleveland Metroparks reservations ..." In total, I hiked five days on 14 trails in ten reservations, and worked out at a gym on four of the mornings. I also ended the week on Saturday, February 10, 2024, by attending a Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club event where they had developed a new map for the Geauga Park District's The West Woods.
Hiking these trails in a short time reminds me of a time during my first career when I had very limited time, so I used to do the annual Cuyahoga Challenge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in just a few days. (Learn more about this former CVNP program in my blog post.) Trail challenges are great in that they have me hiking many trails that I would not have visited otherwise.
My plan is to do more trails that are part of the Cleveland Metroparks 2024 Trail Challenge with Julie in the months ahead, but I wanted to get a strong start for the year. Also, Northeast Ohio was having an unusually warm week for February, and I wanted to get outside. (Actually, I would have gone outside even if it had been bad weather. Sometimes what others call "bad weather" leads to unique experiences! Read the article What Is Type Two Fun and Why Is It Good For You? by Outward Bound.)
What follows are some trail resources, followed by information and photos/videos from the trails I hiked. I hope this blog post encourages you to get out on our local park trails in 2024!
Trail Resources
Here are some resources for planning and conducting your trail travels:
ClevelandMetroparks.com/TrailChallenge will redirect you to the current Trail Challenge web page which will have the most complete and current information.
Note: I saw in my 2020 Trail Challenge blog post that in August of that year, they added more official trails, so it is a good idea to check the Cleveland Metroparks website for updates regarding trail closings and additions.If you have a smartphone, I highly recommend you download the Cleveland Metroparks Mobile App.
Some of the Trail Challenge trails are marked with a red icon for "Routes exclusive to the app as these routes utilize and link together multiple trails to make up the complete route."Trail Challenge 2024 Digital Flyer, Trail Challenge 2024 Tracking Card, and added park map (1.6MB PDF File will open in a new browser window) - - I added a park map, since there are so many great parks. The maps help to see the entire "Emerald Necklace®" when you are planning your trips. Throughout this blog post, you will see block quotes from this PDF with useful information that will also link to the full PDF file. This year, the Cleveland Metroparks added GPS coordinates in the PDF that link directly to the trail locations on Google Maps. Thank you, Cleveland Metroparks, for providing this most useful GPS information as I planned and traveled to my hikes!!
I keep a download of the digital version of the Pathfinder powered by PNC PDF file (14MB) on my iPhone, so that I can find information even when I don't have Internet access. The attached version is from 2022.
You can download current maps and future updated Pathfinder versions on the park's Recreation | Trail & Park Maps web page.
I also use the Gaia GPS smartphone map app, since it complements the park's official map app with different information. The free version provides an excellent map as long as you have Internet access. I have the paid version that allows me to pre-download maps for use without Internet access. Learn more at: GaiaGPS.com
If you are going to be on the Buckeye Trail (or other long-distance trails) a lot, I recommend purchasing the maps to use with the FarOut Map app (formerly the Guthook Map app). See the Buckeye Trail Maps & Guides web page for more information.
Trail Challenge 1: Monday, January 22, 2024 - Bedford Reservation
0.2 miles: Bridal Veil Falls 41.371820, -81.548877
This short stroll takes you down a few sets of stairs before you cross a bridge where you can take in the beautiful falls. Come after a strong rain and you’ll see a great sight!
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, as I was planning to start the Cleveland Metroparks’ Trail Challenge the next day, I was surprised to see I had already done the first trail — Bridal Veil Falls. I had been asked by the University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute to be interviewed on January 22, 2024, by Spectrum News 1 reporter Kimberly Perez for a news story for February - American Heart Month. I took Kimberly Perez on a beautiful, snowy section of the Buckeye Trail to Bridal Veil Falls in Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation. Therefore, I had already begun the 2024 Trail Challenge!
Kimberly Perez is from Los Angeles, California, and only moved to Ohio recently. It was great to hike with her and see the beauty of the snow-covered trail and evergreen trees through her eyes. Experiencing snow is new for her, and Kimberly shared with her family the experience by sending them photos of our Buckeye Trail hike.
I arranged for my wife and co-blogger, Julie, to join us to take photos of the interview process. I am so glad that she was able to attend, since she captured the beauty of the area with her photography. The day after I posted photos, the Buckeye Trail Association shared my Facebook post with their 11,000+ Facebook followers.
Read all the details in my blog post:
Blog Date: February 15, 2024 - My HCM Part Five - Recovery: A Snowy Interview with Spectrum News 1
Before publishing this blog post, I sent an email to Kimberly Perez letting her know that our walk to Bridal Veil Falls is part of the 2024 Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge. Since she is new to Northeast Ohio, I suggested that these challenge hikes would be a good way for her to learn about our local parks!
Start of Five Days on 14 Trails in Ten Reservations
Trail Challenge 2: Monday, February 5, 2024 - Rocky River Reservation
4.2 miles: Scenic Park to Memorial Field Loop 41.478773, -81.829057
Take the APT from Scenic Park, walking or biking to Memorial Field, taking to paved loop around Memorial Field before heading back to Scenic Park.
I walked the All Purpose Trail which winds through the park and at times near the Rocky River. It was interesting to find the Smoky Memorial along the path I walked today. “Smoky Memorial celebrates Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier that aided troops during WWII and later became the world’s first therapy dog on record.” I used both my Cleveland Metroparks Mobile App and my Gaia GPS map app. The last time I did the Trail Challenge was in 2020. I was glad to be able to get out again this year.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 3: Monday, February 5, 2024 - Huntington Reservation
0.6 miles: Porter Creek 41.489180, -81.935520
Take the APT south and then turn left onto the Porter Creek Trail. As you exit the woods, go left and walk back towards the starting location. Be sure to check out Karen’s Way Play Space across the street if you have younger children.
In addition to walking the Porter Creek Trail for the trail challenge, I went to both BAYarts and Huntington Beach, where I saw the new “Karen’s Way Play Space.”
On July 9, 2023, I was here at BAYarts for The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which was presented with the support of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. I look forward to seeing more Cleveland Shakespeare Festival productions in Summer 2024. See my blog posts about Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 4: Monday, February 5, 2024 - Bradley Woods Reservation
1.8 miles: Quarry Trail 41.418690, -81.952750
Take the trail directly across the road from the shelter and look for the old quarry sites along the way and then take the entrance road back when the dirt trail ends.
Bradley Woods Reservation is the third reservation I visited on this day!
You will need waterproof boots to hike the Quarry Trail this time of year, unless you don’t mind getting your feet wet! There is a park display at the Codrington Shelterhouse Picnic Area that says: “Bradley Woods Reservation is the only area in Cleveland Metroparks that is considered to be a swamp forest, a wetland dominated by woody vegetation.”
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
The following photo is my favorite from this trail challenge week for a couple of reasons. It is looking down onto the path that is the Bradley Woods Reservation's Quarry Trail as I began my walk. First, I just like the image -- the reflection shows the beauty of the leafless trees against the gray sky. Secondly, because the image reminds me to look for beauty in what others would see as adversity -- walking in a wet swamp on a cold February day. While my Bradley Woods hike did not entail physical discomfort, it did remind me to again recommend reading the article by Outward Bound: What Is Type Two Fun and Why Is It Good For You?
Trail Challenge 5: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - West Creek Reservation
Before I went on my two hikes here, I first visited the Watershed Stewardship Center, and noted that the parking lot was very full this Tuesday morning. There were not many people in the museum part of the center, but I was told that the Cleveland Metroparks was having a large staff meeting here in the Confluence Room.
If you have never visited the Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek, you should go. I talked to the front desk staff to confirm the routes of the two Trail Challenge trails that are in the West Creek Reservation.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, and read the interesting facts that are in the slides.
1.5 miles: Jewelwing Loop 41.388070, -81.694260
Start at Bluebird Point and use the app to link up three trails to make this 1.5 mile long loop. Watch for birds and wildlife around the praire or down by the water.
I did not think I had ever walked the Jewelwing Loop before. The day was very sunny, so it felt warmer than the day before, but along the Jewelwing Trail, I saw ice on the surface of several pools of water.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
1.6 miles: Gorge Loop 41.388070, -81.694260
Take the APT to the Gateway Trail and then turn right onto the Gorge Loop. This purpose built mountain bike trail is a fun little ride that you don’t want to miss. Please visit Cleveland Metroparks mobile app to confirm the trail is open as this trail closes to all trail users depending on conditions.
After hiking the Jewelwing Trail, I explored the Gorge Loop, which is designed for mountain biking.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 6: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Hinkley Reservation
2.0 miles: Ledge Lake Loop 41.202050, -81.726559
The Ledge Lake Loop brings together multiple trail experiences including prairie, forest and open fields to form this loop route exclusive to the app.
This was the first time I remembered ever seeing Ledge Lake and hiking on the Ledge Lake Loop Trail. It is a beautiful section of woods.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 7: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - Acacia Reservation
1.7 miles: Woodpecker Way 41.501350, -81.490670
Start at the kiosk nearest the shelter and enjoy this fairly flat loop as you admire flowers, grasses and trees restoring this former golf course back to nature.
It was a very sunny, but cool, morning to walk the park’s All Purpose Trail - only 35°F.
It was interesting to see the plants growing in the area that used to be a golf course, and to hear the morning birds.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 8: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - Euclid Creek Reservation
1.0 miles: Eastern Ledge 41.547130, -81.528480
This beautiful trail, complete with a suspension bridge, custom timber stairs and a great overlook is not to be missed during this out and back route.
Get your heart pumping by climbing the stairs up the Eastern Ledge Trail in Euclid Creek Reservation!!
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 9: Thursday, February 8, 2024 - South Chagrin Reservation
2.4 miles: Hatchet Ridge Loop 41.417235, -81.415731
Begin at Henry Church, Jr. Rock Picnic Area. This loop traverses sections of the Henry Church Rock Loop, Hatchet Ridge Trail, Bridle Trail and Buckeye Trail.
On the Trail Challenge, you get to visit parks you’ve never seen before, and like I did this day, you get to visit an old favorite.
It was great to be on the Buckeye Trail at Henry Church, Jr., Rock. Then I walked on horse trails, and other trails to loop back to where I started. The Buckeye Trail Association manages a great trail throughout Ohio! See my Buckeye Trail blog posts.
I remember coming to Henry Church, Jr., Rock when I was a kid. In the summer of 2022, this was one of many places I would bring my dad. (I took him to many parks and museums.) The path to the overlook above Henry Church, Jr., Rock is paved, so I could push my dad in his wheelchair.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
1.1 miles: Sulphur Springs Loop 41.420580, -81.424080
Travel this hilly trail through a forest more typical of a northern climate and cut by a coldwater stream.
The main road to Sulfur Springs picnic area was closed, but I looked at the map on the Cleveland Metroparks Mobile App, and saw that there was a trail parallel to the road. This trail provided a beautiful view of the stream below.
Once at the Sulphur Springs picnic area, I used both the Gaia GPS map app and the Cleveland Metroparks Mobile App to explore the park.
Note: I normally hike on the Buckeye Trail in this area. See the FarOut Map App on the The Buckeye Trail Association website.
I don’t know when the road was torn out, but I knew that back in the late 1970s, there used to be a paved road back into the woods. I decided to follow the path of the former road first. Then, I followed the orange Sulphur Springs Trail markers, which led me to a section of the park that I had never seen before!
I had to cross the stream, jumping from rock to rock several times in tennis shoes, but in high water times, you may want to wear waterproof boots, or plan on getting your feet wet.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 10: Thursday, February 8, 2024 - North Chagrin Reservation
1.0 miles: Sylvan Loop 41.560090, -81.429810
Starting at A.B. Williams Memorial Woods for this hike/walk that takes you though an amazing example of a beech-maple forest with great views along the way.
My wife, Julie, and my son, Michael, met me at the path that goes through the A.B. Williams Memorial Woods (a Registered National Landmark) and the Sylvan Trail Loop. We saw many numbered tags on the trees, which we assumed was part of a tree inventory of the area.
Be sure to see the A.B. Williams Memorial near where the Buckeye Trail goes through the park.
As we were leaving, I saw QR codes on several of the trail signs. I tried one, which went to a location map at: https://qrco.de/bbzNOu
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
Trail Challenge 11: Friday, February 9, 2024 - Brecksville Reservation
The 2024 Trail Challenge calls for completing trails in ten Cleveland Metroparks reservations. Brecksville Reservation was actually the 11th reservation that I visited this year for the Trail Challenge. I completed my 12th and 13th trails in this park. I also added the Gorge Trail as my "Guest Choice" trail, making that my 14th trail.
2.8 miles: Hemlock Trail 41.319958, -81.622459
This beautiful trail drops over 175 feet of elevation as you hike on your way out, so be prepared for a climb on your way back.
I had hiked on most of the Hemlock Trail before, but I had never been to the western end of it. I knew when I got to the suspension bridge to look for the Northeast Ohio Orienteering Club (NEOOC) orienteering marker. If you ever want to try orienteering, there’s a permanent course that NEOOC has set in the Brecksville reservation. I highly recommend you attend a NEOOC orienteering event if you want to learn more.
The last time I was in this area on the Hemlock Trail, the Gorge Loop Trail was just being built. It was great to finally get to walk this new trail. Thank you to the Cleveland Metroparks for this great trail!
The following video has photos and videos from both the Hemlock Trail and Gorge Loop Trail. I highly recommend exploring the Gorge Loop Trail if you visit the Brecksville Reservation!
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
2.0 miles: White Oak/My Mountrain Trail Loop 41.315870, -81.598860
Take the stairs up from Plateau Picnic Area and follow signs for the My Mountain Overlook. This new trail is absolutely beautiful and takes you to a nice overlook of the Chippewa Creek Valley.
Last year, I was hiking sections of the Buckeye Trail as part of my recovery after surgery at University Hospitals (see my Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy blog posts). While on the Buckeye Trail, as I was leaving Cuyahoga Valley National Park and entering the Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation, I saw a lot of new trails being built.
On this February 9, 2024 hike, I saw more trail work in progress, and saw the great results from last year. Fortunately, the park manager, Jeremy Peppeard, of Brecksville Reservation, was on the trail putting up a bench at the new overlook, that a donor had sponsored. I was glad to be able to thank him in person for all the great trail work done last year. Everyone should get on the trail this year to explore this area.
The afternoon temperature in Brecksville, Ohio, was 63°F.
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
Please feel free to pause the video to enjoy the views, read the interesting facts, and study the maps that are in the slides.
2024 Trail Challenge Prize Redemption
I need to wait until after March 31, 2024, to pick up my 2024 Trail Challenge prize. In the past, prizes I have earned have included a special Trail Challenge mug, and a SWAG (Stuff We All Get) bag. I wonder what the prize will be this year.
Ending My Week at a
Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club Event
The West Woods, Geauga Park District
Saturday, February 10, 2024 - 2024 West Woods Classic-O
After my week of trail challenges, it was great to end the week by attending the Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club (NEOOC) event at Geauga Park District's The West Woods. I normally go to The West Woods a few times a year, but like most people, I normally just visit their great nature center or occasionally hike one of their trails. Attending an orienteering event is a completely different experience. Using a map and compass helps you to explore parts of the park that you would not normally ever see.
At most locations that I attend for an NEOOC event, I mainly use my map, but for the second half of this orange level course that I followed on February 10, 2024, I needed to do some serious compass work!! Congratulations to the NEOOC leadership for the new map that was created this year for this park, and a BIG thank-you for all the great events planned year-round.
I plan to attend more events this year, and hope to improve my map- and compass-reading skills. I highly recommend giving orienteering a try. If you are completely new to orienteering, see the resources on the "Learn" section of the NEOOC website: NEOOC.com
I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode!
In addition to including this orienteering section of this blog post to thank the NEOOC leadership, I want to also let you know that the Geauga Park District has their own trail challenge program:
Learn more about the Geauga Gems Trekking Series (GGTS) at: https://geaugaparkdistrict.org/activity/hiking-walking-running/
Related Blog Posts
I always like to end my blog posts with a list of related blog posts. I hope you explore some of the following that may interest you:
In 2022, I participated in a service project at the Richfield Heritage Preserve with members of the Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club:
Blog Date: June 27, 2022 - 2 of 3: Fun Father's Day Weekend: Saturday -- Service Project & The Longest Day of Play
Learn about my participation in the inaugural (2017), and 2020 Trail Challenge in these blog posts:
Blog Date: December 29, 2017 - Cleveland Metroparks Inaugural Trail Challenge!
Blog Date: September 9, 2020 - Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2020: Part One (First Ten)
With COVID-19 closing venues we normally frequent, and having to cancel the backpacking trips that Stuart had planned on the Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail, we have been exploring many parks in Northeast Ohio and along the route of the Buckeye Trail. We have written about many of our park visits in the Social Distancing Blog Posts that we have been writing during the pandemic.
Blog Date: October 21, 2020 - Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2020: Part Two (Second Ten)
Blog Date: December 28, 2020 - Beyond the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2020: Part Three (Additional Thirteen Trails)
See my two Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy recovery blog posts, about the two times I took reporters on the Buckeye Trail:
Blog Date: December 28, 2023 - My HCM Part Four: Recovery & A.T. Hike Featured on WKYC TV-3
Blog Date: February 15, 2024 - My HCM Part Five - Recovery: A Snowy Interview with Spectrum News 1
There is a high level of overlap here between these topics, but see the following blog tags: "Cleveland Metroparks," "Buckeye Trail," "hike," and "trails."
I hope this blog post encourages others to get out on the trail!
Comments
Received my 2024 Trail Challenge prize!
Submitted by Stuart Smith on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 17:32
Stuart O. Smith, Jr., MNO
Blogging at: sosAssociates.com/Blog
Former Cleveland GiveCamp Steering Committee: ClevelandGiveCamp.org/about/#steering
Former Web SIG Cleveland Leader: WebSigCleveland.org
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On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, I went to the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Nature Center and picked up my 2024 Trail Challenge sticker and prize that I had earned back in February.
Here are my photos of the prize, sticker, and my 2024 Trail Challenge checklist of the reservations I hiked:
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Visit ClevelandMetroparks.com/TrailChallenge for complete details and the list of trails.