Headwaters Park
 

I have had a couple people ask me questions about the location of the November trip, so here is the link to the website. The park is called Headwaters Park and is part of the Geauga Park District. The reservoir itself is called East Branch Reservoir and is both the headwaters of the east branch of the Cuyahoga River and part of Akron's drinking water supply.

http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/pa...adwaters.shtml

The park connects to a bike path, and has hiking trails and some camping available in addition to the reservoir and paddling.

November 13th-Headwaters Park
 

Headwaters Park/East Branch Reservoir

When- November 13th

Where- 13365 Old State Road (Route 608), Middlefield Ohio, 44062

GPS- N 41? 30.314 W 81? 6.103

Time- 11 AM


Trip Leader: Jessica

The trip is starting at Headwaters park which is part of the Geauga County Park District. The reservoir (East Branch Reservoir) is the start of the east branch of the Cuyahoga River. Please note that Headwaters Park has two entrances. You want the entrance off of Route 608(Old State Road). The entrance off US 322 does not connect to where we are meeting and does not have a boat launch. When driving down Route 608, the sign for the park can be hard to see. The park entrance coming from the south is just past the dam, and across the street is a (closed) golf course. When coming from the north, you will most likely see the bike trail/crossing signs first. The driveway is just past where the bike trail crosses the road. Once you turn into the driveway, do not park in bike trail parking lot but rather follow the road back until you see a sign for the boat launch. Follow the boat launch signs around until you see the boat launch and the boathouse. Once you unload your boat, you will need to move your car over into the parking lot to make room for others to unload. The paddle length will depend on weather, how far the group wants to go and will be decided that day. It is a reservoir, so if you want to turn around and go back you can do so at any time. On the reservoir, there is a bald eagles nest which is visible both by boat from the water and by a hiking trail during the winter. I plan on paddling over to see the nest, but you can also walk back and see it before or after as well.

The park has a bike path, hiking trails, fishing and camping. For anyone interested, Mike, Ron (I think) & I are camping Saturday night. If anyone wants to camp Saturday night with us, we can also paddle Saturday during the day. Depending on water levels, we should have several choices including the Grand River. The camp sites are $10/night for non-Geauga County residents and $5 for Geauga County residents. Please email (flagsracer9@yahoo.com) or call/text me (440-479-6187) if you are camping so I know ahead of time who is coming. I can also reserve your spot for you since it will only be $5/night if I put it under my name. The park does not have electricity, running water or showers for the camp sites but they do have vault toilets. The campsites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. There are 3 sites with a lean-to instead of tent pads; however they are all reserved already.

Any questions, feel free to contact me. flagsracer9@yahoo.com or (440) 479-6187


Directions:

From the Northeast-

Take Route 11 South to the US Route 322 exit. Turn right towards Orwell. Continue on 322 until you cross the reservoir. After the reservoir, you will come to a stop light. This is Route 608 (Old State Road). Turn Left and the park will be a few miles down on the left.

From the Southeast-

Take Route 11 North to the Ohio Route 87 exit. Turn left towards Middlefield. Continue on Route 87 (Kinsman Road) until Route 608 (Old State Road). The intersection of Route 87 & 608 is in the center of Middlefield. Turn right onto 608, and the park is about 3 miles up the road on the right.

From the West-

Take OH-87 to Middlefield. Turn left onto Route 608 (Old state Road). The park is about 3 miles up the road on the right.

I will be camping but will not get up there until the evening as YSU has a game that Saturday
Mike

a cool day?
 

It looks like it might be on the cool side Sunday. 45 to 50 deg is pushing our limit but at this time K & C expect to see you there. I will keep an eye on the temp and wind. -Ken

I will be there to camp on Sat. and paddle on Sunday morning. That's why this is called the "Frostbite Run", But Jess has set it up so that you can make it as long or short as you like. The day looks to be warming up fast and sunny so come on out and enjoy a brisk and beautiful November day on the water.
Rich A.

I will be out camping too tonight. If anyone else wants to come, please come. We have space in either lean-to for more people.

Tomorrow looks like it should be a nice, sunny day with a high about 50. We can make the paddle as long or as short as people want since it's on a reservoir. If you do get cold tomorrow, all you have to do is turn around and paddle back to the shore.

I probably won't be checking the website tonight or tomorrow since I will be out camping, if you have a question please just call/text me.
(440) 479-6187

Sunny and 50+ degrees in the middle of November here in northeast Ohio sounds like a perfect day to paddle...Lin and I plan on coming...see you Sunday morning.

Great run Jess ! Thanks for leading.

Thanks to Jess for leading the paddle on a very nice body of water....perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to Jessica for arranging unbelievable November weather for a beautiful run on East Branch Reservoir in Geauga County's Headwaters Park. We had 10 paddlers in seven kayaks and two canoes and one really cute and well-behaved canine, Torrey. My personal high point was the beauty of the run under crystal clear blue skies on a lake surrounded by woods and no view-spoiling development. Low point was Jim's flat tire after we arrived back on shore and began to load boats on our vehicles. Most of us stopped at the Pizza Hut in Middlefield to re-live the trip and catch up on paddling stories and other developments in our lives. Paddlers were Jessica H. (trip leader), Mike D., Jim B., Rich A., Wayne B., Bob K., Linda B., Ken M., Cheryl L., JP, and Torrey, the pooch. This was a fantastic day to be on the water!