Miami Whitewater Forest 10/26/2008

Oakleaf Trail


Parcours Trail


Badlands Trail Outer Loop


Badlands Trail Outer Loop


Badlands Trail Outer Loop


Tallgrass Prairie Trail


Tallgrass Prairie Trail


Shaker Trace Inner Loop


Shaker Trace Inner Loop

This morning was great for walking at Miami Whitewater Forest. I started at the Oakleaf Trail, which is one of the shorter nature trails at 9:00 AM. The temperatures were in the 40s,and I love hiking when the weather is cooler in the fall. The Oakleaf Trail is only 0.8 miles long,but I love the fact that three nature loop trails are all very close to the parking lot where there is a restroom and water. I saw a bag tied over the drinking fountain handle, so the park might have turned off the water for the winter. I am not sure, and since I carried my own water, I did not check.

Once I finished the Oakleaf Trail, I walked the Parcours Trail, which is a 1.4 mile figure 8 loop style trail. I have never hiked this one before, but it is also another beautiful nature trail.

I completed the Parcours Trail and then walked the Badlands Trail Outer Loop, which is 1.7 miles long. I really like this trail with the small ups and downs, turns and short bridges. This is probably my favorite nature trail in this area, although I have to admit there are a lot of trails I have not walked.

After I completed the Badlands Trail, I got in the car and drove to the Tallgrass Prairie Trail, which is a short 0.6 mile nature trail.

If I would have more time to hike today, I would have liked to have tackled the entire outer Shaker Trace loop, which is a paved 7.8 miles, so I chose to finish the morning by walking the inner loop, which is only 1.2 miles. An interesting fact, is that the Shaker Trace Trail is part of the American Discovery Trail, which runs from Delaware to California. The trail is routed over 6,800 miles through 15 states. For more information about the ADT, check out

I did not put in a lot of miles, but it was about 5.7 miles when I add up the mileage.

Miami Whitewater Forest Badlands Trail (Outer Loop) 10/11/2008

Damage from the Sept. 14th Wind










Today was a great warm Saturday to be out for a hike. I went with my daughters to Miami Whitewater Forest, and we walked the outer loop of the Badlands Trail. This is an interesing trail with a number of short bridges, small ups and downs, and plenty of great views of the forest. The distance of the outer loop trail is 1.6 or 1.7 miles.

The damage from the Sept. 14th windstorm that hit southwest Ohio was evident everywhere. There were fallen trees and sawed up logs from many that fell near the trail. It looks like a lot of work was done to clear it all up.

As we neared the exit of the trail, we could hear the cracking sounds of a tree falling against another. It was safe, since it was far off of the trail, but we could see and hear the tree as it began its fall. As it leaned up against another, we could hear the slow cracking sound as the weight was beginning to overcome the tree next to it. A few others stopped to watch.

On the way back to I-275, we saw a Metlife Blimp slowly drifting to the northwest. As I watched it meander through the sky, I wished I could have 8 more weeks of weather like today, but I know the cold weather is not far off. I really love hiking in the winter, so I am looking forward to continuing to explore some new trails when I can find the time.

Kingfisher Trail Winton Woods 10/5/2008

I originally planned to walk the Miami Whitewater Forest Badlands Outer Loop, which I have not yet walked. I have waked the inner loop, but have not had time to walk the outer. Well, it turns out I did not have time today either.

Fortunately, Winton Woods is a short drive from home, and one of my favorite short nature trails is open again after suffering some damage from the wind storm back on 9/14/08. I could see where a lot of the older and weaker trees took a beating from that storm off on the sides of the trail. The trail itself is in great shape after being closed for repairs.

Harbor Trail Winton Woods 9/21/2008

I started by parking on the west side of Winton Rd. and walked a short distance on the West Trail, which passes under Winton Rd. and leads to the Harbor Trail. The Harbor Trail circles Winton Lake, and it is about 1.2 miles in length.

For a little history about Winton Woods: The park was created in 1939 when its first 905 acres were leased from the federal government. The park now has a total of 2,465 acres.

I have hiked this trail a number of times, and Winton Woods is a favorite destination for me, since it is so close to home.