Into the woods

 I decided to try and figure out where the Buckeye Trail heads north of town, as it has been a mystery to me for a while. I have hiked a certain section a few times, but parking is not an option for the far end of the local section, and the maps are not great online. I started at the parking lot closest to the trail in town, and headed towards the wooded area.

It was a nice day out.

The trail goes along Piqua's reservoir dam which has a pleasant view. There is a rock in the man-made lake, and a few lucky people even live around it.

Must be nice to have your own private dock house thing. 

I followed the "blue" blazes towards where I knew the hiking trail would really get going. I have been there a few times and even led a scout troop down the harder part of the trail a few years ago. Still, it was a fair walk to the off road section.

I don't know if I noticed the
North Country trail sign before.

Once I got to the path, into the trees I went, and I got to enjoy some quiet space. There are actually two benches in this area, which is nice, I guess. Maybe one further down would have been better.

You have to know about it I guess.

The first section there is really straight and easy, aside from some strong spider webs. One side had a wire fence along the north side, but it really didn't have a purpose as there were fields on both sides.

Also level!

The trees broke for a cross path between the two fields, though I thought there were more cross paths growing up. I used to camp every year at a festival held at the historic area the trail cuts through and had camped near that very treeline. I don't remember the trail being there. I started into the next section, which is a lot more technical when something bit my leg. I don't know what, and it might have been a spiny plant for all I ever figured out. I went a bit further, knocking out some large spider webs in front of me before the pain in my leg told me continuing was not the best idea. I abandoned completing that section and turned around for the mile hike back to the car. 

I have actually done that section a few times without issue, and it was probably a one-off thing. Without completing it though, I didn't get the opportunity to figure out just where the trail goes from there. 

It was an uneventful hike other than whatever got my leg. It didn't swell up or have any punctures that I could see, and by the next morning, it was back to normal. I might get a hiking pole before I go back though, if for nothing more than breaking the spider webs ahead of me. 

Feeling annoyed about the lack of completing it, I tried to figure out where the path would be from Lockington Dam. Again, the Buckeye Trail maps online were of no help. (I think the website had an issue though. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt there.) I could order the physical maps online for a few bucks, and might eventually do that, but I just happen to be at the boundary between two regions. That means double the maps! I might end up doing that though, but not for now.

I realized though that the one signpost also said North Country National Scenic Trail and I hit up their website. Now that website has some great maps! Sadly though, I found that furthest I have been on the trail is where it goes on roads for a few miles. On the bright side though, it looks like it is a trail again north of Lockington Dam. At least that gives me a fresh starting point for later.