I've been wanting to place a cache along the towpath for some time.
But since the Summit County Metro Parks, which also manages the
towpath in that county, prohibits geocaching I've decided to place
a cache just outside their jurisdiction. By approaching this cache
from the north you'll still get to enjoy the towpath trail in
southern Summit county.
There are two approaches along the towpath trail to this cache,
one from the north, the other from the south. Don't try to bushwack
to this cache. If you do it'll probably take you just as long or
longer if you had strolled down the towpath. And to bushwack
(assuming you can find a place to park) you'll either have to cross
the water-filled remnants of the old Ohio canal or the Tuscarawas
River. Maybe you can canoe the Tusc' and bushwack. I'll leave that
to the more adventurous.
The shortest distance to this cache on the trail is from the
north and is approximately 1.2 miles. Parking is at the Clinton trailhead
of the Ohio & Erie Canal and Towpath Trail. The trail
crosses North and Main streets in Clinton (Watch for traffic
when crossing both streets) and it is paved until you cross the
county line at which point it is covered with crushed limestone.
If you want to approach from the south start at the Lake Lucerne
Trailhead in Stark County near Canal Fulton This trailhead
is about 2.0 miles from the cache. From the south the trail is
also crushed limestone. Coming from either direction the trail
is flat and offers lots to see. The only reason for the terrain
rating of 2 is because of the distance. Coordinates for both
trailheads are listed as waypoints below. CAUTION This
cache is in a flood plain. Hence, there may be times that it is
incaccessible due to flooding. Please use common sense before
heading down the trails. Each time that I've been to the cache
site I've had no problems. IF the water is low, please don't
take off your shoes and boots to wade out. There is plenty of
trash in the area and it would be long walk back with a cut
foot.
The cache is located off the trail and in a manner that,
hopefully, will keep it from being swept away when the Tuscarawas
river floods. It does flood here frequently and you can see signs
that it has by looking around. Once you find the cache please
restore it to it's original location.
Along the trail south of Clinton you can see a variety of
aquatic wildlife. Muskrat, mink, painted turtles, non-venomous
northern water snakes, and several types of frogs and dragonflies
may be observed along the canal. Leopard frogs are particularly
abundant – watch out for them in late spring when tadpoles
transform into frogs and hop along the trail. Year-round, the trail
is a wonderful place for birdwatchers. The rarely seen red-headed
woodpecker can be found among the dead trees that persist in
certain areas. Great blue herons stalk fish and frogs in the river
and the canal. These four-foot tall birds have established a large
nesting colony in the tall trees along the western side of the
river. Dozens of their large stick-nests can be observed when the
leaves are off the trees.
The rich, often-saturated soil of the river floodplain supports
an abundance of wildflowers from spring to fall. A variety of
insects, including many butterflies, are attracted to the flowers.
A number of tree species can be found along the trail, especially
those which thrive in wet areas, including hackberry, elm, silver
maple, and swamp white oak.
So get on your hiking boots, walking/jogging shoes or grab a
bike. As you come down the trail from Clinton you will pass a mile
marker from the old towpath. The number 53 indicates the number of
miles from Cleveland along the old towpath. Give yourself plenty of
time since this is not a quick cache and grab.
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| This is the 19th geocache placed by Team 5HILLS |
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