Campus/Harrison West Photos

THE OLENTANGY TRAIL CAMPUS / HARRISON WEST LANE AVE TO 3 RD AVE	GOING NORTH: NEXT SECTION	GOING SOUTH: NEXT SECTION

THE TRAIL IS OPEN THROUGH OSU CAMPUS

The university has begun to implement the Bikeways Plan with completion of the trail section between Woody Hayes and Drake Union. Trail Detours and Updates

PHOTOS: CAMPUS/HARRISON WEST

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	The view from under the new Lane Ave bridge looking south toward the OSU Campus.
	The new trail to Woody Hayes Dr. French Field House is visible to the left. The old trail section which still exists, runs along the upper ridge. (Where the cyclists are.)
	The trail approaching the new Woody Hayes Dr bridges. The trail continues to the right but dead ends (as of 4/18/05) under the bridges. To follow the trail, use the ramp to the left up to Woody Hayes.
	Approaching the underpass of Woody Hayes.
	The underpass.
	The new trail on the south side of Woody Hayes. The older trail, to the left on the top of the levee, was also recently repaved. A ramp down from the south side of the road is also on the left.
	New Trail nearing Drake Union
	Approaching Drake Union.
	At Drake Union, the trail has a ramp up to continue on the existing trail. The right fork here will dead-end ahead. Eventually, when Phases 2 and 3 are completed, you will be able to continue along the river.
	The right fork dead-end north of Drake Union. The trail plan calls for new trail to be built along the river side of the hall to connect with the existing trail at John Herrick Dr.
	In the meantime, take the left fork up to the old trail. Here, at the top of the ramp.
	The trail around the old pumping station. This area used to be a very uneven surface (click on the thumbnail below) but is much improved now with repaving,

	Nearing Drake Union
	When you come up to Drake Union, you will find this split (north side), you can go either way. The left side fork takes you down a narrow and steep path, crosses the entry to the Drake Union parking area, runs along a walkway through the lot, crosses the exit from the parking area and heads up another narrow and steep ramp. The right side fork takes you up to a concrete arcade walkway along the second floor of Drake Union, requires a tight left and then right turn (on the south side). Additionally, the area in front of the building can have a lot of pedestrians. Which is better? I use both.
	ARCADE: Entering the walk from the north side is fairly simple, on a busy day, though this chute can get a little crowded.
	The south end of the arcade. You take a sharp left turn here.
	After the left, you need to make a sharp right. The left path leads to the tower.
	The south side Drake Union where the two alternatives come back together. The relative steepness of the ramps down to the walkway should be noted.
	WALKWAY: North side again. If, instead of going up to the arcade, you head down this somewhat steep, and relatively narrow path, you will find a new walkway (visible under the pedestrian overpass which crosses the Drake Parking Lot
	Looking south across the parking lot entrance to the walkway. Cannon Dr is to the left.
The walkway from above.
	The south side entrance to the lot looking north.
	The south side of the walkway looking across the parking lot exit.
	You head up another relatively narrow and steep ramp to get back to the trail.
	The lower path rejoins the trail. Which route you take is a matter of personal preference. The traffic through the parking lot is relatively light so it not an issue though the steepness and narrowness of the ramps down and up can be. The arcade can be crowded and the sharp turns can break concentration.
	The trail south of Drake Union looking back north. (Lincoln Tower to the right). This is a particularly old and uneven part of the trail. This was taken standing on the 3.5MM stripe underneath a walkway.
	The 3.5MM stripe used to be under the tower walkway just ahead but repaving has covered it over.
	Recently, the dead end trail acquired this barrier.
	The current dead end from the bridge. The trail itself is visible on the top of the ridge to the left. The grade is not overly severe if you're so inclined and many cyclists this day just scooted up and continued on.
	The ramp at the top of the rise. Woody Hayes Dr is right ahead. The OSU Stadium is in the background.
	The view across Woody Hayes Dr. The old trailhead.
	The crossing at Woody Hayes as viewed, looking west from the Cannon Dr intersection. To the right is the walkway and ramp up from the trail. To the left is the old trailhead. Traffic-wise, this was taken on an early on a Sunday morning. It's busier at other times. The safest course on heavy traffic days is to run up to this intersection and cross here.
	The from the old trailhead near the stadium. Flat, easy and very picturesque. Cannon Dr is to the left, down past the parking area and, the river is to the right.
	The trail along the stadium parking area is relatively flat though the asphalt surface is not in the best shape. It is patched in places and there is extensive spidering and erosion.
	Things change as the trail approaches the intersection of the tower walkways and Drake Union. In the foreground, the buildings are part of an abandoned pumping station that used to supply the university with water from the river. The road down to the left is Cannon Dr.
	The trail around the old pumping station. The condition of the asphalt is visible here.
	The trail merges with the tower walkways and other paths as it approaches Drake Union.
	When you come up to Drake Union, you will find this split (north side), the path to the right leads to the upper arcade, the lower route is a somewhat steep path to a new walkway at street level.
	ARCADE: Entering the walk from the north side is fairly simple, on a busy day, though this chute can get a little crowded.
	The south end of the arcade. You take a sharp left turn here.
	After the left, you need to make a sharp right. The left path leads to the tower.
	The south side Drake Union where the two alternatives come back together. The relative steepness of the ramps down to the walkway should be noted.
	WALKWAY: North side again. If, instead of going up to the arcade, you head down this somewhat steep, and relatively narrow path, you will find a new walkway (visible under the pedestrian overpass which crosses the Drake Parking Lot
	Looking south across the parking lot entrance to the walkway. Cannon Dr is to the left.
	The walkway from above.
	The south side entrance to the lot looking north.
	The south side of the walkway looking across the parking lot exit.
	You head up another relatively narrow and steep ramp to get back to the trail.
	The lower path rejoins the trail. Which route you take is a matter of personal preference. The traffic through the parking lot is relatively light so it not an issue though the steepness and narrowness of the ramps down and up can be. The arcade can be crowded and the sharp turns can break concentration.
	The trail south of Drake Union looking back north. (Lincoln Tower to the right). This is a particularly old and uneven part of the trail. This was taken standing on the 3.5MM stripe underneath a walkway.
	The 3.5MM stripe is right under this walkway underpass.
	Once it reaches John Herrick Dr, the trail surface improves and it loops toward the river and under that roadway.
	The underpass of John Herrick Dr. This section is subject to some shallow flooding when the river is high occasionally necessitating a bypass via Cannon Dr and the AEP parking lot. (See the Getting Through Campus page)
	The trail climbs out from under Herrick Dr. This point floods easily and the water has taken its toll on the trail surface. Construction around the power station (up ahead) and general neglect have made this segment one of the poorest in the system.
	The renovations at the power station have been completed. It is not certain whether the fencing will remain in place as a permanent fixture.
	The trail passes behind the AEP plant on the river side. Note the new fencing and the patched section. The river is to the right down a fairly steep embankment.
	Behind the power station. The fencing to the right was also part of the closure. It is also not certain whether it will remain in place but it does provide a barrier to the steep embankment on that side and given the narrowness and poor condition of the trail, that is a plus here.
	The trail emerging on the south side of the plant. The newer surface, put down by ODOT as part of the SR315 ramp project can be seen. There is fencing on both sides here, briefly but the trail is open.
	The trail emerging from the power station (Looking north).
	Looking south from the same point. The second freeway ramp is visible in the distance with the King Ave bridge behind that. Much of the riverside brush has been removed. The views are wonderful.
	The new trail approaching the King Ave underpass. The arrow indicates the approximate position of the 3.0 MP. (See Marker page for closer detail)
	The trail continues past King Ave and approaches the 5th avenue underpass. There is a small flagstone observation areas. The old trail still runs along the top of the berm to the left.
	The Fifth Ave underpass. Bear right under the bridge. The left branch takes you up to the roadway.
	Under the 5th Ave overpass.
	Under the SR 315 Flyover. The trail ramps up some from the river. Around 10-12 feet.
	The south side of the Fifth Ave underpass. The spur fork to the right leads to the other side of the roadway. That's the Battelle Corp parking area on the right.
	At the top, the trail ducks behind the Battelle facility.
	A little farther down.
	The trail levels off and emerges to run along the Battelle parking lot. Looking north from near the 2.5MM point.
	The parking lot gives way to a small pocket park bounded by Perry St and 3rd Ave.
	The trail head at Third Ave is marked by these wooden posts. (From the sidewalk of Third Ave)
	A view of the trailhead from across Third Ave. The bridge landing is the brick walk area to the right. The Downtown Area Section goes to the left.
	A view of the trailhead from across Third Ave. The bridge landing is the brick walk area to the right. The Downtown Area Section goes to the left.

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11/15/2008