About Slate Run:

When early settlers first arrived in the area they mistook the 350 million year old shale for slate – thus the name Slate Run! The park boasts a variety of interesting features - grasslands, wetlands, meadows and woodlands with beech, oak, hickory and sugar maples. Additionally, over 70 species of birds have been seen at the park, such as meadowlark, indigo bunting and belted kingfisher. The park also features the Slate Run Living Historical Farm where visitors can see how a farm operated in the 1800’s.

http://www.metroparks.net/parksslaterun.aspx

Slate Run Metro Park, 1375 S. R. 674 N., Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110

The Hike:

We’ll start out on the North side of the Five Oaks Trail (1.5 mile – loop), head West on to the Sugar Maple Trail (1.4 miles) and then side trek further West on the Bobolink Grassland Trail (3 miles – round trip) and on to the Kokomo Trail (1.5 mile – loop). Once we trekked the wetlands, we double back East on the Bobolink Grassland Trail and meet back up with the Sugar Maple Trail and on to the South side of the Five Oaks Trail. Wrapping up where we started. Out total trek will be approximately 7 miles.

Itinerary:

• 9:45 AM – Meet on the main entrance parking lot near the Shady Grove Picnic Area. This is the parking area off S.R. 674.
• 10:00 AM – Set out on the trail.
• 1:30 PM – Wrap up hike.

Inclement Weather:

If inclement weather impacts our hike I’ll cancel the event within 24 hours of our meet time so be sure to monitor your email cancellations.

What to Bring:

• Plenty of bottled water and snacks as needed.
• Hiking boots or good sturdy walking shoes.
• Trekking Poles.
• Sunscreen.

Please be sure to independently double check the directions from your area.

Dayton and Points West:

• Take  I-70 E
• Take exit 105A to merge onto US-33 E/Southeast Expy toward Lancaster
• Take the OH-674 exit toward Canal Winchester
• Turn right onto OH-674 S/Gender Rd     
• Turn left onto OH-674 S

Columbus and Points North and East:

• Take  I-70 E towards Wheeling  
• Take exit 105A to merge onto US-33 E/Southeast Expy toward Lancaster
• Take the OH-674 exit toward Canal Winchester
• Turn right onto OH-674 S/Gender Rd     
• Turn left onto OH-674 S

Cincinnati and Points South:

• Take I-71 N        
• Take exit 101 to merge onto I-270 E toward Dayton/Wheeling   
• Take exit 52 for US-23 N/High St
• Follow signs for I-270 E/Wheeling and merge onto I-270 E
• Take the U.S. 33 exit toward Bexley/Lancaster  
• Take exit 46 to merge onto US-33 E/Southeast Expy toward Lancaster
• Take the OH-674 exit toward Canal Winchester
• Turn right onto OH-674 S/Gender Rd  
• Turn left onto OH-674 S