It's really great to be back in Ohio again! My wife grew up here, and we lived here the summer that we got engaged. I feel that Ohio trails don't get enough credit for being awesome, particularly the Cleveland Metropark system. I'd never been to the Bedford Reservation before, but I've heard lots of good things about it from my brothers-in-law, who have always enjoyed coming here to wade in the creek and skip rocks or ride their bikes.
I began my run a bit after 1:00 PM, very thankful for the dense tree cover to protect me from the midday sun. I’d uploaded the .gpx file to my OnX Backcountry app, so navigation was a breeze. The first few miles flew by on the beautiful Bridle Trail as I fell in around an 8:30 pace. Given that I’m the first male to set a time on the route, I wasn’t too concerned about setting a blistering pace. The 72-mile ultra (the Scummy Summer Slammer in Bozeman, MT) I ran the weekend before also probably played a role in that. Soft dirt padded under my HOKAs as I made my way down past some hikers enjoying the Bridal Veil Falls and began to climb. I was surprised how good I was feeling on my largest mileage week ever but was hoping not to jinx myself by thinking too much about it.
I didn’t run into any navigational issues until Dunham Road. For future runners, note that the route goes straight across Dunham Road. My GPS lagged and told me I had somehow gotten a quarter mile off trail. I moved to correct this, and then it updated to inform me I’d been properly located originally. Always a good reminder to trust your gut and not rely too heavily on your tech! The five-minute detour bumped my total distance from 13.6 miles to just under 14, and I’m sure some of the drivers going by got a laugh at how confused I looked.
Alexander Rd was an obvious crossing with the warnings provided by the original route setters. I passed through a sunny field with some overhead power lines before dropping down a final steep hill to the creek. It was at this point that I discovered why this route was set in the winter and why it hasn’t had any follow up FKTers.
At the creek, the trail disappeared for an apparent stream crossing. However, the .gpx directed me to hang a right along the edge of the stream and bushwhack to the ‘large fallen tree’. While I’m usually game for heading off trail, Montana’s undergrowth has a lot less of a bite than Ohio’s! Future adventurers should be wary of the plethora of nettles that left me tremendously itchy. I also managed to slip into the creek while avoiding a particularly thick patch of nettles, completely soaking my left foot. Despite my many woes, I did eventually locate the turnaround spot and was able to appreciate the peaceful babble of the brook. There were also a whole host of iridescent dragonflies lazily floating through the plant life, adding an almost decorative touch to the scenery. On my way back I once again attempted to dodge my nemesis (the nettles) by taking the high ground above the creek. This failed almost instantly, as the embankment became increasingly steep and unnavigable. So – back into the undergrowth it was.
Once reconnected with the main trail, the remainder of my journey was uneventful. The hike/bike trail was a great place to make up some time I’d lost while bushwhacking and swiftly saw me on my way to the Viaduct Park. Here I confused several sightseers by barely stopping to enjoy the waterfalls before sprinting away, eager to finish up my route and cool off in the shade. Upon doing so, in a final time of 2:39:22, I left and got myself a well-deserved iced espresso and dark chocolate almond cluster at Buckeye in Chardon.
Comments
Jacob, my apologies about the nettles! I have explored around that lower area, near the stream in the summer, and in years past, there was a roughly visible mini trail through that area, (made by people attempting to forgo the creek crossing) my guess is that there have been less 'explorers' in that area this summer.
Thanks for giving the route a go, and cheers to your ultra finish!