Miami University Natural Areas: Western Reserve (Blog Hike #5)

Trail: Western Reserve Trail
Hike Location: Miami University Natural Areas Trail System (MUNATS)
Geographic Location: east side of Oxford, OH (39.49801,-84.73042)
Length: 1.5 miles ONE WAY
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Dates Hiked: many, including October 2011
Overview: A moderate course on well-maintained trail through forest in various stages of succession.

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

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=716325

Photo Highlight:

Directions to trailhead: Parking for this trail is shared with Peffer Park, an open grassy area on the south side of Oxford.  To get there from downtown Oxford, follow US 27 south. After the last traffic light in Oxford (located at Chestnut St.), US 27 descends a short but steep hill.  The entrance to Peffer Park is at the bottom of this hill wedged between a creek and a cemetery on the right of US 27.  Park in the only parking lot.  Walk across the footbridge and turn right to reach the Western Reserve trailhead.

The hike: During the six years I spent as a Miami University student (four as an undergraduate, two as a graduate), the Western Reserve Trail in MUNATS was my most traveled trail.  There were many days on which I would be able to escape my studies for only an hour or so and sneak in a hike on this trail.  The trail stays in good shape because the people at the Boesel House, the residence for several graduate students, do a great job of maintaining it.  I almost never had a bad hike here, and I expect you will say the same thing if you choose to follow my footsteps down this path.

Despite the “western” name, the trail is located directly east of Miami’s campus.  The trail’s name comes from Western College, a small school that started as an independent college before merging with Miami several decades ago.  Much of what Miamians today call “west quad” is the old Western College.  The old western college buildings are easily identified because they are the only buildings on campus not built of red bricks.  The hike described here traces the perimeter of old Western College. 

This out-and-back hike starts at the eastern corner of Peffer Park on the north side of Collins Creek.  After passing under the US 27 bridge, the trail follows the creek for a short distance through young forest with dense underbrush and small cedar trees.  You are heading in the general direction of east.  At 0.2 miles, the trail passes over a hump and through a clearing created by a sewer line right-of-way, one that was built during my undergraduate days at Miami. 

Passing through sewer line clearing

            One evening while walking this trail, I stepped out into this clearing, looked to my right, and found myself standing about 10 feet from a deer.  I was rather startled and afraid to move, worried that it would charge me and do damage with its antlers and hooves.  The deer seemed considerably less frightened.  After we stared at each other for several seconds, it casually strolled off into the forest from which I had just emerged.

            After passing through the sewer line clearing, the trail crosses a small creek on a wooden bridge and then takes a sharp right where a spur trail goes straight ahead and up a steep hill to Western Lodge.  Fortunately, signs are present all along the trail to prevent confusion at intersections such as this one. After several more minutes of straight, level hiking, the trail takes two ninety-degree left hand turns and begins ascending a hill into more mature forest.  The climb here is not particularly steep, as the trail designer worked the trail around the hill as you ascend, a very well thought-out plan to avoid steep, arduous climbs. 

Western Reserve Trail near Collins Creek

            The forest at the top of the hill is very different from the one you left at the bottom. Gone are the cedar trees and dense underbrush; they have been replaced by some large maple trees with only the occasional paw-paw bush in the understory.  Once at the summit of the hill, the trail meanders northward, crossing several runoff channels via bridges before intersecting a cinder maintenance road at 0.7 miles. The trail reenters the woods almost directly across the road, again directed by signs, then begins a gradual descent into a mature beech forest.  This is my favorite part of the trail due to the elevation and openness of the forest. 

Crossing the cinder road

            Enjoy the panorama on the highland, for soon the trail drops rather sharply into another ravine just south of Ditmer parking lot.  Be careful on this descent: the trail is paved with gravel that tends to roll under your feet (at least, it did under mine!)  There is a concrete pillar at the base of the hill, probably indicating an old homestead associated with a pre-nature preserve farm. The trail crosses another runoff channel, this time without the benefit of a bridge, then immediately begins a long and fairly steep ascent to Western Field, passing some glacier erratics and wildflowers along the way. 

Concrete pillar near Ditmer parking lot

            Once atop this hill, the trail curves around the east and north sides of Western Athletic Field before taking a sharp right, preparing for the final descent toward Four-Mile Creek.  About half way down the hill, the trail crosses SR 73 and can be a little difficult to detect on the other side of the road.  Again, watch for trail signs.  
            The trail reenters the woods on the north side of the road about 30 feet east of where it left them on the south side.  Once across the road, the trail continues descending.  At the bottom of the hill, the trail takes a sharp left to curve around the Miami University horse stable.  At 1.5 miles, the trail ends at an intersection with a cinder road.

Miami University stable

            From the stable, additional trails lead further north into the Marcum and Ruder Preserves, ultimately leading you to Yager Stadium, home of Miami football.  After exploring these trails, there are several options for returning to your car and completing the hike.  Of course, you can simply retrace your steps along the Western Reserve Trail.  Alternatively, turn left on the gravel road at the stable and climb the hill to US 27.  You can then walk back down to Peffer Park along the side of the road, using sidewalks most of the way.