Miami University Natural Areas: Bachelor Reserve Pine and East Loops (Blog Hike #24)

Trails: Bachelor Reserve, Pine and East Loops
Hike Location: Miami University Natural Areas Trail System (MUNATS)

Geographic Location: east side of Oxford, OH (39.50826,-84.71607)

Length: 3.2 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: May 1999, May 2001, June 2015, October 2015

Overview: A well-marked course through a wide variety of forest environments.

Area Information: http://miamioh.edu/student-life/natural-areas/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=717255
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Oxford, follow US 27 south to where it intersects SR 73, then turn left on SR 73.  About one mile east of US 27, SR 73 passes the university stables, Four-Mile Creek, and a gravel parking lot near a soccer field in that order.  Park in the gravel lot; it is on the left side of the road.  Walk across the bridge on the far side of the lot (it may be gated, but this is just to keep vehicles out).  The trail starts at a red sign to the right on the other side of the bridge.

The hike: Located between Four-Mile Creek and Oxford-Milford Road 0.5 miles east of the Miami campus, Bachelor Reserve is a large tract of reclaimed land that was being farmed anywhere from 30 to 70 years ago. The land on either side of the preserve is still being cultivated today.  The tract was willed to Miami University upon Dr. Joseph Bachelor's death with the intent of creating a nature preserve on the premises.  The land features a wide variety of habitats ranging from recently farmed land to mature woods and pine plantings to ponds. 

            An excellent 5 mile trail system maintained by some students living in the Boesel House, which is located on the eastern edge of the preserve on Oxford-Milford Road, features trails that interlink to provide a wide variety of possible hikes.  This particular route follows a trail guide written by Lori Gramlich, a former Miami student.  A copy of this guide may be available in a black mailbox at the trailhead.

Bachelor Reserve trailhead

            From the parking lot, cross the bridge over Harker's Run on the north side of the parking lot, jumping over or going around the gate at the near side of the bridge.  On the other side of the bridge, go down some steps on the right to the brown board that marks the trailhead.  The trail enters a narrow strip of woods with Harker's Run on the right and a field on the left.  During extremely dry periods it is possible to take a short cut by taking the cinder road from the northeast side of the parking lot and fording Harker's Run, intersecting the official trail at the other side. 

            The trail begins by traveling east, then slowly turns north around the field through reclaimed farmland.  In the first half mile, the trail passes three large sycamore trees, the last of which has a hole that has been burned out of it.  The strip of woodlands gradually widens, but the creek is never more than 100 feet to the right.

Hiking along Harker's Run

            Shortly after the last large sycamore tree, the East Loop goes across the creek to the right on a swinging bridge.  This is the route by which we will return.  Only a few feet later, the trail forks with the Pine Loop going straight and left.  Take the left fork here and begin hiking clockwise on the Pine Loop. 

            The trail shortly begins meandering uphill, twisting and turning to make the climb less steep.  This hill represents a small section of tableland between Four-Mile Creek to the west and Harker's Run to the east.  Once atop the hill, the scenery has changed to young, dense forest with a few cedars thrown in and even the occasional pine.

            The trail now has changed from dirt to gravel, and the pine forest is visible on the right.  A few hundred yards after ascending the hill, the Pine Loop takes a 90 degree right turn into the pine forest with another trail going straight ahead downhill to Bonham Rd. and the North Loop.  The trail is well-worn, and all of MUNATS is well marked, but this turn can be missed if you are not expecting it.

Hiking through the pines

            The trail now goes through the heart of the pine forest with rows of pine trees on either side.  It is obvious that these white and red pines were planted by man because the trees are planted in uniform rows and columns.  Also, the pine tree is not native to Ohio.  Still, one should walk this portion of the trail slowly so as to admire the majesty of the pines soaring 50 feet over your head in any direction. 

            Upon reaching the other side of the forest, the trail uses a single switchback to descend steeply to the level of Harker's Run and reenter the floodplain forest.  A few yards later, the Pine Loop intersects another trail coming in from the left.  Turn right at this intersection and proceed downstream beside Harker's Run to where a swinging bridge crosses the creek on your left.  This is the beginning of the East Loop.  Turn left and cross the bridge. 

            The trail soon begins gaining elevation as it moves from floodplain to young succession forest.  The forest is now dominated by juniper, ash, and locust trees.  The trail temporarily reverses course to lose some of the elevation it just gained, then continues climbing for the other major climb of the hike.

Long Pond

            At the top of the hill, the trail comes out at an earthen dyke creating a large pond called Long Pond.  Constructed in 1957, the pond is fed by a natural spring and features such aquatic plants as bulrushes and cattails.  The trail follows the pond on the left before taking a sharp right turn to descend from the dyke.  This turn is marked with a sign, but keep an eye out to make sure you do not miss it. 

            The trail now heads south through a dense red cedar forest that is just beginning to be invaded by juniper.  The cedars give away this land's agricultural past, as they are among the first trees to grow on old farmland. Spleenwort, an unusual-looking fern, and prairie grass cover the ground here.  The trail soon passes through the remnant of a wire fence, another clue to the land's agricultural past, and enters more mature forest.  This forest is dominated by maple, ash, and beech trees, with a dense understory of honeysuckle.

Hiking the East Loop

            The trail next takes a right turn and begins descending, steeply at times, to Harker's Run.  Cross the creek using another swinging bridge to intersect the outbound portion of the trail.  A left turn and 0.5 miles of level hiking will return you to the trailhead to complete the hike.