|
|
THE BLACKLICK TRAIL | GOING NORTH: TRAIL CONNECTION | EAST: NEXT SECTION | 
|
|
| ||
GOING EAST: UNDER CONSTR. | |||
|
NOTE: The Blacklick Trail currently exists in two sections: the western section which runs from Three Creeks Metropark to a turnaround dead end just west of US33; and an eastern section which runs from a dead-end at Shannon Rd just east of Winchester Pike to the Abbie Lakes development where it splits--the north fork going to the east side of Portman Park; and the south fork going to the Glacier Ridge area of the Pickerington Ponds Metropark. This section details the western portion.
There are plans to join these two sections over the next several months to a year. In the meantime, a possible bypass is shaping up with the overpass of US33 with a new bridge at Ebright Rd.
The Blacklick trail branches off from the Three Creeks Confluence Trails Area off Bixby Rd just east of Hamilton (SR 317) and travels roughly southwest, passes under Hamilton and then turns northeast, following the creek, where it currently ends in a loop turnaround just south of SR 33. It passes into a short wooded section before emerging into an enormous open meadow bounded by Bixby on one side and the creek on the other. It rises slowly to a knoll passing through the meadow, ducks briefly back into the woods before crossing a marsh bridge and passing through some open areas with an access path to a Living Center off Bixby and through another short stand of trees and another, smaller meadow (passing closely by the intersection of the two roads) before turning and ducking under Hamilton with the creek. Emerging on the opposite side, it passes near Old Bixby Rd (there are old closed road connectors) and then travels north with alternating areas of open glade, slightly woodsier sections and so on, with a private connector to the new housing areas about a quarter mile from the circular turnaround. There are a mile posts, a couple of trash barrels and a bench along the way. There are permanent restrooms and water (seasonally) at the parking area in the Confluence Trails area.
IMPRESSIONS
Though the trail follows the Blacklick Creek, it's some distance away and not visible, except at the Hamilton underpass. The feeling is of wide open spaces, slightly rolling country-side and lots of blue sky. The trail does get a bit more woodsy as it approaches the current terminus but even that is through open glades with wide grass shoulders and no closing canopy. With the turnaround, it's a bit over 5 and a half miles from the parking area in the Confluence Trail area.
 |
| Repro of the Metro Parks Map |
06/02/2008