T. J. Evans Trail :
Ohio
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Description:
The T.J. Evans Trail is a very popular route, drawing locals and visitors, as well as through-travelers on the Ohio to Erie Trail that counts this rail-trail among its 200+ miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.
The southern trailhead at Cherry Valley Road in Newark has a kiosk with a pay phone, drinking fountain, and user guidelines. Just after you leave you pass a connecting trail to new ranch-style condominiums. This is the first of several residential developments that tie in to the trail. After passing a second parking lot, you come to a connecting trail going east. Although unsigned, it takes you a couple miles to the Ohio State University's Newark campus and to the Newark YMCA.
Rapids in Raccoon Creek keep the pace on the trail's east side as you trek through a beautiful shaded ravine area. A bridge across the creek has a marker discussing the trail's rail history. After passing under State Route 16 cow-filled fields extend from both sides of the trail.
At about 4 miles you come to Granville. There is a sign directing you off the trail to downtown Granville for shops, dining, and overnight options. A short climb brings you to the quaint and amazingly beautiful downtown, where you can find many restaurants, as well as Denison University (a noted liberal arts school that counts Hollywood's Jennifer Garner as a graduate).
Continuing along the trail, a pedestrian crossing guides you over State Route 37 at the former Granville Railroad Station, which now houses a realtor's office. If you're looking for a break, stop at Wildwood Park near mile 3.5, with open fields and an incredible, wooden castle-shaped play area. Continuing north, you shortly arrive at the ruins of Clemons Railroad Station. There are several bridges spanning small creeks between here and Alexandria, about 2 miles northwest.
When you cross Raccoon Valley Road you are in the village of Alexandria. A marker at the trailhead describes the founding of Alexandria. The remaining 6.3 miles of trail to Johnstown pass alternately though woods, ravines, and farm fields. The setting is remote and relaxing, but many rural road crossings require caution.
Just before Johnstown you pass another housing subdivision with connectors to the trail and a new subdivision being built on the other side of the trail. Then the Jersey Street trailhead signals the trail's end. The beautiful T.J. Evans rail-trail only gets better on the return trip, as a slight grade gives you a downhill advantage.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To start the trail in Newark, take Interstate 70 to State Route 79 and travel north for 6 miles. Turn left onto Irving Wick Drive, go west for 2 miles, then turn right onto Thornwood Drive southeast. Thornwood becomes Reddington Road after about 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Cherry Valley Road and look for the trailhead on the right.
To reach the Jersey Street trailhead in Johnstown from I-270 on the northeast side of Columbus, take State Route 161 east for 6 miles to US Route 62 (Johnstown-Utica Road) then turn left and head north for almost 8 miles. Turn right onto State Route 37 for 0.33 miles and take a left onto Jersey Street. Jersey Street dead-ends in the trailhead parking lot after 0.25 miles.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Highlight Trail of Newark
By clarence43232 in August, 2011
WOW--you can really get a workout on this one if you do the straight route from James Rd. north and then the east extension which takes you to OSU Newark campus. Don't follow the bike route signs, though, since they end abruptly on the side streets of Newark. They have an overpass over OH 16 now near the YMCA area, and if you just stay on that main road you will get to the campus area. Watch out or you will miss the trail going under you as you cross a little bridge near there. If you miss it, you should still be able to turn into the campus area and find it. It has several finger-trails there as well. I did this whole thing in 2010 and ended up with 43 miles total.
nice trail, needs some work
By Suekett in August, 2011
I love to ride this trail, but the root damage is starting to get out of hand. There are several places where the ride is very rough, and the yellow "alerts" have faded to the point of not being noticeable until you are on top of them. Other than that, this in one of my favorite rides in central Ohio. There are several good access points with good parking, few road crossings and just plain beautiful Ohio scenery!
All 14.2 miles - Johnstown to Newark
By swade in June, 2011
This was my first ride and it was great. The trail was in great shape even after all the rain we have had. A nice run with 80% wooded and the rest in full sun. It was not crowed at all. I was out late afternoon (3:30 pm -- 6:00 pm) and saw enough folks to not feel alone but still had an open trail to go at the pace I wanted. A few serious bikers, some families, some walkers and joggers in the more populated areas. I really liked the mile markers on the trail so I knew my progress and I saw some historical markers but did not stop to read them. I live on the north-east side of Columbus and it was 12 miles drive to the Johnston Jersey Road parking lot. I can't wait to ride it and the other Licking county trails again.
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