it was an unseasonably warm day for november, we have a week of good weather coming, may be our last for awhile, so i decided to hit the trails. first stop was back at the ledges, i didn’t hike the entire trail, just out to the overlook to see how much a difference a week can make in the view.
next stop was the towpath trail, i hiked out from hunt farm to bath road. this section of the towpath trail is very rich in wildlife, you can pretty much count on seeing some animals out here. in the center of this picture is a rather large bird, bigger than a goose. there are heron in this area, but since this was the best picture i could get with my small camera, i am only guessing as to what type of bird this is.
i came across this beaver dam. this area used to be an auto junk yard before the beavers built this dam creating a thriving marsh/wet land. beavers were almost extinct and were absent from this area for nearly 150 years, making a big come back in the 1980’s
the cuyahoga railway runs through this area as well, next year i’ll have to take one of their fall excursions.
this former junk yard is now teaming with wildlife, including canadian geese,
and mallards.
continuing on south past the marsh, i came to lock 26. known as pancake lock. pancake lock got it’s nickname for similiar reasons as lock 27, johnnycake lock, during a flood the canal was impassable and passangers were fed meals of cornmeal pancakes.
the towpath trail crosses ira road and continues moving south. portions of the towpath trail and corresponding locks were destroyed when the road was widen in the 1930’s. only one wall remains of lock 25.
i am assuming that these are the remains of lock 24, there was no posted sign so i am not certain.
the remains almost look like it could’ve been a ramp for a barn, but it would be an odd place for a barn along the towpath trail.
finally i reached bath road and it was time to turn and head back, i took the time to admire the beautiful colors in the trees.
even though fall leads to winter, it is still one of my favorite seasons, everything is so vibrant!
i took a small detour to look around by the railroad tracks.
there was a lot of people out on the towpath trail today, everyone wanting to get out and enjoy the sun before the snow comes back to stay awhile.
