3/8/2020. Began a trail survey hike in AM, 35° temp. Hiked in 2.0 miles to midway point. One downed tree blocking trail at eye level, trail dry and clear. Nine other hikers enjoying the day. Hiked back out and drove to New Hamburg after lunch and hiked in 2.0 miles to midpoint again. Trail temp around 60° by 2 PM. Met another eight hikers on the second leg; all enjoying the unseasonably warm/sunny weather. Several mature bald eagles circling around on the river. Two fishermen trying their luck on far side of river. Explored possible reroute of trail north of bridge number 1. Hikers from Grove City, Hermitage, Fredonia, and Masury, Brookfield, and Cortland, Ohio.

Still construction going on but the detour is nice. Coming back from niles can be a little brutal if your riding into the wind for it’s all slightly up hill

Hiked 1.5 miles in from Big Bend to complete a small wooden 'seep' crossing which has been a nuisance for quite some time. Trail snow covered, weather sunny and bright; 18° at 8:45 AM. Set puncheons for crossing in AM. Returned at 3 PM to complete installation. A total of 13 other hikers and runners enjoying the beautiful day; some looking for "Bigfoot". Temp in afternoon around 45°. Hiked forward to mile 2.0 for snacks and a break. Explored original route of towpath and remnants of canal lock near bridge crossing.

2/29/ 2020. Midday hike on the Shenango Trail. 20 ° and bright sunshine. 2.5 miles in and back from Big Bend. Side trip up a creek drainage to Pew Rd. looking for mid-trail access. Trail in great shape, frozen surface, no tree obstructions. Saw three deer near Camp Nazareth and two immature bald eagles on the river. Evidence of two other hikers from previous day.

I walked from Big Bend to the covered bridge and back. I started at 10:45am and arrived back at Big Bend at 6:00pm When I made it to the covered bridge at the end my phone said 8.62 miles. I'm not sure if this is 100% but it gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect if you do the whole trail to the end. I want to thank each and everyone that has volunteered to make this trail so great your work is greatly appreciated.

Stayed at the Barnard House B&B in Emlenton and rode my High Wheel up to franklin and back. Great trail.
All nice asphalt, but there is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile of gravel because the land owners didn't want the trail to go through their yards, so it had to make a detour around the properties. Not a big issue if you are riding a trail bike. But a road bike is possible. I had to walk my High Wheel on that section. There are two very long, VERY DARK tunnels so you need a good strong light to use to stay on the asphalt. I will be going back in June 2020 to do the trail, stay at the B&B and also do the Blues n BBQ event in franklin.

This is the best trail I have ever ridden!

This trail is actually closer to 8 miles long, point to point running from kidds mill bridge to big bend. It's a great trail for all levels of hiking or trail running, with great views of the river and wildlife along the whole length of the trail, and is the only primitive hiking trail in the area. A great group of volunteers and the Shenango River Watchers put in alot of work getting the trail cleared up and bringing it back to life. When its wet out, it can be muddy in spots, and when its warm out, there are bugs, because well you are in the great outdoors! 😁

1/8/2020 Decided to take a little hike on Kidds Mill trail intending to scout out a proposed loop trail and then hike on to the Shenango Trail. Scouted past eroded bluff and rejoined Kidds Mill trail. 25° degrees and sunny, fresh trackless snow. About a half hour in, a dense snow squall dumped another inch of snow on the previous blanket. Snowed hard enough to limit visibility to 50 yards. Wildlife was absent during the height of the squall which lasted 30 minutes. After the band moved through, spotted three doe and a perched bald eagle. Hiked total 5 miles out and back. Great day, quiet, no fellow hikers.