In the afternoon on September 21 we rode only about 5 miles out because of the extreme heat. It is a straight route with little shade & a few benches. Upon returning to our car, which was parked in Fallen Timbers Monument park just over route 24 via the bike/pedestrian overpass, we found that the car back windows had been smashed out & our suitcases, a computer, and a digital camera had been stolen. We wanted to ride this trail because it was near our son's home, but will not return to this trail.

We took the north trail to the end of the pavement (Fulton-Lucas Road) then doubled back to Girdham road, headed south to Reed, sort of east in the park to Obee to Whitehouse-Spencer, south to downtown Whitehouse where you can get on the south fork. It was 90+ degrees on a Tuesday morning / afternoon ride and the ice cream stand in downtown Whitehouse right at the trail was a great find. Best to have a portable GPS if you're going to try navigating the local roads. Nice country roads, virtually no traffic in the early afternoon.

A very unusual trail. A lot of street crossings, which usually indicates an urban area, but unlike almost every other urban area, there are no stores anywhere for water. So, make sure you bring plenty, especially for the north fork because there won't be any for the ten miles from Jerome street, with the exception of a small ice cream stand near Jerome street, about a quarter mile north of the trail, which may or may not be marked, depending on whether the city removes the cardboard sign.

I have tried many rail trails in Michigan, so I may be biased, but I did not like this trail. It was very flat, many unshaded areas, and basically no restroom facilities, at least for the ten miles on the north fork.


The rail trail that seems to be the opposite of this one, would be the Betsie Valley Trail. Mostly heavily shaded, with a lake with crystal clear water (crystal lake), and varying scenery (ends at Lake Michigan).

Like the gas station guy said in the movie "No Country For Old men", this trail closes "At Dark". I wonder what the legal definition of "At Dark" is ?

Great trail very flat and well paved at least east of Oak Openings

I had an adventure riding the north fork of the Cannonball. My wife and I love this trail but the trail itself gave us some unexpected surprises. Read more here: http://bikenrgy.blogspot.com

Most of the North Fork has been documented, but this section needs a little clarification.

The trail is paved in Wauseon, with the pavement ending at the west end of Dickman Rd.

From the end of Dickman Rd to CR 16, the trail is a loose, large, and shifty rip-rap stone that is difficult to pedal through. At CR16, a sign with barely legible faded letters was laying on the ground "City Property: No Trespassing". That might explain the extremely poor condition of this segment.

CR16 to CR17 is the hard pack cinder trail that is representative of the trail west to Montpelier.

If you are following the trail from near Montpelier to Maumee, it would be easiest to stop at CR16, go north to CR F and head east, dropping back down on the paved trail on N. Ottokee St. Another alternative is to take CR F all the way through Wauseon and drop back down on the trail at CR 11 (missing the closed section between CR 13 & CR 11).

I checked out this section the summer of 07 on my Mountain Bike. It is very passable with a cinder and limestone surface...just watch out for the grounghog holes. One bridge is just Railroad ties with spaces inbetween...you will want to walk your bike accross. as you approch highway 15 just east of Montpelier the trail turns into swamp land, at least the time of year I visited, right before the tunnel that goes under highway 15. On the other side of 15 the trail stops at a mound of stone and the still intact rail road tracks are visable beyond...still storing old train cars. I later checked out Montpelier, But could find no finished or started trail section...I beleive the tracks must still be inplace.

"I have been on all portions of this trail, both north and south legs, except for the stretch between West Unity and Montpelier.

The information on the trail's web site
(www.wabashcannonballtrail.org) is not up-to-date and offers poor information about which portions of the trail are open and trail conditions. The trail is paved through Wauseon, but the paver trail ends abruptly at the west end of the village. From the village limits of Wauseon (just west of Bayes Rd.) west to CR 17 the trail is railroad ballast, overgrown with weeds. From CR 17 to CR 18, the trail is passable but not well maintained. From CR 18 to CR 19 the trail is a little better, but not well-maintained. Just west of CR 18, where the trail crosses County Road F, just west of CR 19, the railroad bed enters the truck parking area for Dave's Sand & Stone. When I rode the trail, the fence around the truck parking area was closed on both sides. There is no signage, obvious road, or other indication of a route around this obstacle. The best bet when heading west is to head north along the eastern fence of Dave's, along a roadway perhaps constructed for the purpose, then turn west along the northern fence, until you return to the trail at the NW corner of Dave's fence. Even if the gates at each corner of Dave's fence are open, I would not recommend riding through the truck parking lot, as you may not fare well in your attempt to dodge moving trucks loaded with stone.

The web site states that there is a closed portion near Elmira/Burlington, but I
had no problems in that area. A corn field blocks the railroad right-of-way
just east of Elmira/Burlington, on the north end of the crossing over US Alt. 20, but an adequate stone road has been constructed around the south and west edges of the corn field, returning to the railroad bed where the trail crosses SR 66. There is a wide area suitable for parking along the trail on the east side of SR 66.

The Tiffin River bridge is a highlight of this section. The bridge is 210 feet long.

From the Tiffin River bridge to West Unity, the trail is passable, but there are several stretches that are not well-maintained. "

"On Saturday morning, August 4, 2007 I set out on the North Leg of the trail from Wauseon west. I have a hybrid bicycle. I parked at Rotary Park in Wauseon, immediately adjacent to the trail. The trail is paved through Wauseon. The paved trail ends abruptly at the west end of Wauseon, west of Bayes Road. From that point to County Road 15-1, the railbed is large railroad ballast overgrown with weeds. The trail is similarly not completed from CR 15-1 to CR 16. A detour can be done by turning north on Bayes Road to County Road F, proceeding west on CR F to CR 16, and returning to the trail at CR 16. The trail is open and marked from CR 16 west to West Unity, but trail maintenance is poor on many areas. From CR 16 to the County Road F crossing west of CR 19, the trail is paved with cinders or gravel in many areas, but there a lot of rough areas, holes, dirt and ballast, and large limbs have fallen across the trail. Large patches of poison ivy and other weeds and brush encroach on the trail. After the trail crosses County Road F, it passes around Dave’s Stone & Gravel along the east and north fences around the truck parking area, which is located on the former railbed. Beyond Dave’s, the trail is in reasonably good condition to CR 20, but there are still a number of rough areas to watch for. Between CR 21 and the crossing over US 20A the trail is rough, with poor maintenance. From US 20A to CR 22, the trail winds around the south and east sides of a cornfield which lies across the former railbed, and the trail is not well built or maintained. The trail is in good condition from CR 22 to CR 23 (Elmira/Burlington), and a gravel area on the east side of CR 23 is available for parking. From CR 23 to CR 24, the trail deteriorates, with a number of rough areas. From CR 24 to the Tiffin River Bridge, and on to West Unity, the trail is generally in decent condition, with a few rough areas. The Tiffin River Bridge, at over 200 feet long, is a scenic highlight of this section of trail. "

"The trail is paved throughout Lucas County - from near Jerome Road to the Lucas County Line.

In western Lucas County, the trail was is closed near Neapolis while a bridge is under construction at Manore Road, and wooden fences are being constructed along the sides of the trail. This construction shouldn't last long, and in any event it's easy to get around the temporarily closed portions via county roads south of the bike trail.

The south leg is not easy to access from Jerome Road. The best way to access the South Leg is to proceed from Jerome Road west on the North Leg until you get to the first underpass, under Waterside Blvd. Turn south on the sidewalk just west of the underpass, and head uphill to Longwater Drive. Turn right onto the street, and go a short distance to the first intersection (Waterbury Lane). Turn left, and head south on Waterbury Lane. At the end of Waterbury Lane is a path connecting to the Wabash Trail South Leg.

The trail through Whitehouse is enjoyable. The caboose is interesting, and there are stores near the trail where you can purchase water and snacks.

There is also a store further west in Neapolis. The store is just south of the trail.

West of the county line (1/2 mile west of Neapolis), the pavement ends. The trail from this point to the end at Henry County Road 6C is cinders or dirt.

Where the pavement ends, the trail passes through a corner of Fulton County for about 1/2 mile. This section is rough and not well maintained. After the trail crosses County Road W, and enters Henry County, the trail is in better shape.

About three miles further west (four miles west of Neapolis), the trail enters the unincorporated village of Colton. The trail is grass through Colton, but a street parallels the trail. At the west end of Colton, the trail leaves the village on a nice cinder roadbed.

Just west of Colton is a scenic railroad bridge.

The trail ends at CR 6C. From there, you can turn south on CR 6C, and go about 1/2 mile to County Road T. Turn west on CR T, and it's about 1.5 miles to downtown Liberty Center.
"

"The Wabash Cannonball trail is paved through Wauseon. The trail is closed between the east end of Wauseon, at CR 13, and CR 11. Between CR 13 and CR 11, the Wabash right-of-way crosses a very busy Norfolk Southerm railroad at grade. To get around the closed portion, follow CR 13 north 1/4 mile to County Road F, follow CR F two miles east to CR 11, cross the Norfolk Southern tracks on CR 11 (lights and gates at crossing), and return to the trail 1/4 mile south.

The section of the trail from CR 11 east to CR 6 has been designated the Gene Markley Corridor, named for a long-time volunteer. This section of trail is in decent shape, and has two highlights. Just east of CR 9, the trail passes under the Indiana and Ohio Railroad (formerly the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton). I saw several deer and a red fox in this area. Further east, about 1/2 mile east of SR 109, is the Fraker Mill bridge, a covered bridge constructed by volunteers. from the Fraker Mill bridge east, the trail is in reasonable shape to the Fulton-Lucas County line. Some areas are rutted, and horses have torn up portions of the trail.

From the county line east, the trail is paved with asphalt to Jerome Road, the east end of the trail. Just east of the county line, the trail enters Oak Openings Metropark. About 1/2 mile east of the county line are restrooms and pop machines. Leaving the metropark, the trail passes through increasinly suburban areas to the end at Jerome Road. If you proceed south on Jerome Road a short distance, the trail crosses a railroad track that is still active. The south leg of the Wabash Cannonball Trail starts a short distance west of this crossing, where the active railroad diverges to the south, away from the inactive railroad bed used by the south leg. If you continue less than a mile further south on Jerome Road, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge has been constructed over US 24, linking the Wabash Cannonball trail to the Fallen Timbers monument. A trail runs downhill from the north side of the monument toward the Maumee River. This trail connects to the trail through Side Cut Metropark. The Side Cut trail can be followed to its end at the Maumee-Perryburg (US 20/SR 25) bridge over the Maumee River. "

"I live along the trail at Fulton county road 20. Last summer I did not see any maintenance to the trail. My neighbor who use to trim along the edge just to keep the mosquitoes away was told to stay off the trails. Along with the farmer who had to put in a new entance to the field behind us. The trail is so over grown I rarely walk my dogs down it anymore to avoid the task of burr removal.
I sure would like to see this improve, as close as it is to the house I hate not to use it."

"During the month of July 2005 I walked a section of this trail numerous times while I was visiting family there. I enjoyed using the section of trail in Fulton County between Co. Roads 16 and 18-2, but was very disappointed to find that the section from Co. Road 16 to Wauseon was still closed and very overgrown, Likewise the section from Co. Rd. 18-2 to 19 closed and overgrown, and no bridge, over a drainage ditch. I was also concerned when a local farmer told me that he had mowed (several times) the section which I had walked, only to be told by someone having jurisdiction of that section that there was to be NO motorized vehicles on that section. DOES THIS INCLUDE THE FARM TRACTOR AND MOWER WHICH WAS USED TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING (Mowing) THE TRAIL SURFACE ? ???
I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU allow and encourage farmers in that area to assist in using their haying and mowing equipment to maintain the trailbed. YES and it would be nice to see the closed sections opened for use.

Eugene Richer "