We rode from Ft Laurens to Dover Dam today. The trail is in good shape for about 4 1/2 miles then you get into the area where they have not made any improvements yet, it is still a pretty easy ride but I don't recommend it to anyone that is used riding primarily finished trails. We made a couple of miscalculations and ended up backtracking once or twice. At one point you end up out on route 212/800, just turn left and go a short distance (100 yards tops) you will see a bright red bridge to your right, ride over the bridge to the poles then turn right and you are back on the trail again. A few muddy spots along the way, nothing too terrible and a short climb at the damn.

That was all we rode today. I will be submitting way points as I explore this trail for all that ride with GPS.

After starting from the Fort Laurens parking lot the trail was fine for approximately 3.5 miles. At that point it turned into all dirt with mud, rocks, and became very narrow. We turned back and attempted to find the other end of the trail in New Philly because the trail guide listed at least part of it as paved. We figured the other end would be better. NOT ! We went to Schoenbrunn Village where the trail is supposed to start at the southern end. The people who worked there said there were no trails there. They said all trails had been blocked off. If it is there it is a well-kept secret.

Tuscarawus County (with Congressman Ralph Regula's funding help) opened a bicycle/horse/pedestrian bridge over I-77 at Fort Laurens on Oct. 27, 2007. Enter the Fort area and park at the far end near the picnic pavillion. The trail is wood chips for 1/10 mile to the bridge. At the east end of the bridge, the trail is crushed stone. It is on the former towpath of the Ohio & Erie Canal. There probably 3 canal locks before Zoar. There is also 1 very steep grade up and over an abandoned railbed that cuts the towpath. At Zoar (actually on the south side of the river and the canal near Zoar) there is another parking lot. It is adjacent to but not directly ON the trail. From this parking lot east, the trail is unimproved. The surface is dirt and can be very muddy after a rain. At the point where the trail (towpath) nears the active railroad (noted by the presence of a 60-80 ft. high embankment) the trail seems to disapear. You need to work your way left toward the river and cross under the railroad next to the river and work your way back to the trail. The unimproved trail continues along the the former towpath. I don't believe there are any locks in this section. About 200 yards before Ohio RT. 800, the towpath and all trees disapear and you come out into a field. The county, I believe, is trying to buy this piece of private property. The property up to this point is public (reguardless of any signs). You would continue straight on, out to the highway. You should come out at a break in the guardrail. Turn left and cross the highway bridge over the river and at the point where Rt. 212 apears on the left, you turn right on a dirt? road that was a former road but is no longer for vehicle access. In 1/10 of a mile you will come to the newly refurbished historic bridge over the Conotton Creek. Continue straight a short distance to an abandoned railroad bed. There are actually two here and you want the second (upper) one just before the road. Turn right. This will take you into Camp Tuscazoar area, formerly a boy scout camp and now owned by a private foundation. They were responsibule for getting the grant to restore the historic bridge. This railbed is not rideable on a bicycle. Also, this rail bed is privately owned by a company in Dover, but likely no one will deny you entrance. The railbed runs all the way to Dover (past the Dover Dam, a flood control device). There is only one road crossing between the historic bridge and Dover. The trail is very shaded and plenty of wildflowers in the spring. This route is hoped to be part of the Ohio to Erie Trail in the future. The Tuscarawus County Park District was only recently established and is virtually unfunded, so improvements may be slow coming.