Date: 11/10/2019 – Distance: 5.0 mi – Elapsed Time: 3.0 hr – Ascent: 390 ft – Descent: 374 ft – Difficulty: Medium
This trail came recommended from an old college friend who is a Outdoor Recreational Planner for the National Park Service in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can start the Plateau Trail from either the Oak Hill Trailhead Parking or the Valley Picnic Area. I know the parking area is quite large at the Oak Hill Trailhead Parking, since that is where I started. There is also restrooms at this parking area. I’m unsure of the Valley Picnic Area.
Looking at the restroom at the parking lot, the Plateau Trail begins to the left. It first follows the Oak Hill Trail for a short distance before forking to the left.
The trees on the Plateau Trail are incredible. There is a tremendous variety of species, and they get very large.
After a short distance through the woods, you come to Chestnut Pond, a small pond, on the left.
After Chestnut Pond you immediately enter a rowed planting of Oak and Pine trees mixed.
Along with the large trees there are plenty of saplings as well.
At the Hemlock Ravine Trail end, I backtracked to the Plateau/Oak Hill Trail, shortly arriving at Meadowedge Pond.
At the opposite side of Meadowedge Pond there is a tail leading into the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center which is off limits to the public.
The sight of all of these dead ash trees, was sad. The Emrald Ash Borer ravaged this grove. The signs are obvious from their tell tale grooves cut into the live wood just under the bark.
The Plateau Trail soon ends at the parking lot from the opposite end where we began. You can see the restroom from here where we started.
Waypoints:
- Oak Hill Trailhead Parking – N41° 13.183′ W81° 34.620′
- Valley Picnic Area – N41° 13.470′ W81° 33.508′
Links:
Conservancy For Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Oak Hill & Plateau Trails
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