Columbiana County Bridle Trails
Name of trail: Blue Trail Beaver Creek
Location of trail: Beaver Creek State Park, www.ohiostateparks.org
Directions from nearest main route: Sprucevale Road Horsemen’s Camp. Circles the perimeter of camp (starting and ending in camp.) Stays on the east side of Sprucevale Road.
Trail Land Manager: Park manager and Beaver Creek Horsemen’s Association / Columbiana County Chapter of OHC.
Trail description: Scenic, with hemlocks and hardwood trees, at times follows Little Beaver Creek and open field gas pipe line.
Type of trail (multi-use, bridle/hike, etc.): multi-use, but primarily bridle trail
Trail surface: clay soil with rocky hills
Normal trail condition: dry in most areas
Trail condition during winter/wet weather: wet with ankle deep mud in sore poorly drained areas in wet weather, frozen in winter in sub-freezing temperatures.
Length of trail: approximately 4.5 miles
Trailhead parking description: Paved drive to mostly sloped grassy parking area.
Trailhead horse facilities: over 100 camping sites with tie lines/manure bins, “water buffalos” on holiday weekends.
Trailhead human facilities: PRIMITIVE, outhouses, including handicapped outhouses & handicapped mounting ramp just off pavement; swing sets, 1 large fire pit.
Unique /scenic trail features: crosses small stream as the trail winds through hollow to the mouth where it flows into Little Beaver Creek. “Devil’s Bench” aka Little Colorado – Cliffs with hemlocks across creek.
Trail hazards: Shared with hikers and fishermen with poles in a quarter mile stretch. Narrow (1 horse wide) section about 75 yards long which hugs steep hillside which is prone to occasional slides and falling trees.
Trail rating: Easy – Level or gently sloping terrain; consistent groomed surface; wide trail surface; shallow or no water crossings
X Moderate – Rolling to hilly terrain; short steeper slopes; water crossings; irregular trail surface; narrower trail surface Challenging – Steeper hills; unimproved trail surface; deeper water crossings; wider water crossings; boggy areas
Difficult – Very steep hills; long climbs or descents; narrow trail surface |