Davey Woods State Nature Preserve (Blog Hike #177)

Trail: Conrad Trail

Hike Location: Davey Woods State Nature Preserve

Geographic Location: west of Urbana, OH (40.13832, -83.90454)

Length: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: June 2005, June 2013

Overview: A pleasant hike through beautiful, mature forest.

Preserve Information: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/davey-woods-state-nature-preserve

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940175
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Urbana, go west on US 36 7 miles to Neal Rd.  Turn right on Neal Rd.  Take Neal Rd. north 1 mile to Smith Rd. and turn left on Smith Rd.  Take Smith Rd. 0.5 miles to Lonesome Rd. and turn right on Lonesome Rd.  The preserve entrance is located 0.2 miles ahead on Lonesome Rd.  There is a small gravel parking area on the left.  If the parking area is gated, you will need to park on the side of the road, being careful not to block the gate.

The hike: Davey Woods preserve sits on a triangle-shaped 104 acres of land.  The preserve was made possible by a generous grant from the Davey Tree Company of Kent, Ohio, hence the name Davey Woods.  This grant took place in 1990, and shortly later the preserve opened for public enjoyment.  Even though this is a new state nature preserve, the forest growing here today has been doing so for quite some time.

            Though not virgin forest, very few woods in west central Ohio can compare with those found at Davey Woods.  Perhaps Garbry’s Big Woods in nearby Miami County comes closest, but there are some big differences between what you will see there and here.  First, Garbry’s Big Woods is operated as a park by the Miami County Park District, so adjacent to the large trees are nature centers, picnic areas, and other development.  Davey Woods is operated as a state nature preserve with no development on the property, only nature and solitude.  Also, Garbry’s is located just off of I-75 and attracts a larger number of visitors than this more remote destination.  Finally, from Garbry’s you can see working fields in most directions still under private ownership.  Davey Woods is surrounded mostly by lightly traveled rural roads.

            Two trails traverse the preserve.  The Conrad Trail described here takes you on a 1.4 mile journey around the perimeter of the preserve.  There is also a connector trail, called the Short Loop, which begins following the Conrad Trail but returns you to the trailhead in only 0.6 miles.  Either trail will give you an enjoyable walk through some beautiful woods.           

Beginning of Conrad Trail

            Walk around the gate, take a minute to read the information board, and begin following the wide gravel path that leads straight ahead.  In 0.05 miles, come to a wide area where the gravel road ends and the trails begin.  Follow the sign for the Conrad Trail to the left.  Trails at Davey Woods are not blazed, but brown wooden signs mark each of the intersections.

            The trail crosses a nice, long wooden bridge over the creek that drains the preserve and begins heading uphill.  The trail climbs moderately and curves to the right.  On the north side of the hill there are some decent size maple and beech trees, but as the trail reaches the top of the hill and curves right, you enter the biggest woods of the trail.  Smith Road is to your left but hidden through the trees.           

Ascending on the Conrad Trail

            At 0.5 miles the trail descends moderately to return to the creek, and at 0.6 miles the short loop exits to the right to return to the trailhead.  Stay left and continue on the Conrad Trail.  The trail soon reaches the creek and follows its east bank for a short distance before crossing the creek on a small wooden bridge.  The trail now climbs the steep west side of the ravine by using a pair of switchbacks.

            The forest on the west side of the preserve is not as mature as that on the east side.  A few red cedars give away the fact that this land has been farmed in the not all that distant past.  The trail stays atop the ridge and curves to the right.  At 1.1 miles you will pass the Pence family cemetery on the right.  Cracked headstones date to the mid-1800’s.           

Descending on the Conrad Trail

            The trail stays atop the ridge as it narrows, and at 1.3 miles, the trail begins the descent back to the creek, using a single switchback.  At 1.4 miles, arrive at the clearing to close the loop.  A left turn on the gravel trail will return you to the trailhead and complete the hike.