Conotton Creek Trail

Review by Randy Lavy

Wetland Along the Trail

We rode the Conotton Creek Trail September 9, 2003 from the Bowerston Trailhead on the West end of the trail to Jewett on the East end of the trail. The Trailhead at Bowerston has a small parking lot with a Port-A-Potty. The trail is 11.4 miles long and is all coarse asphalt. The trail surface is in good condition but lacks any shady areas and has little protection from the wind.

The Conotton Valley slopes down to the West so riding the trail from West to East and back gives you a small boost on the return leg as it is mostly downhill. However the grade is very gentle along this old railroad right of way. The scenery is farm land in beautiful rolling hills and birds, butterflies and wild flowers are found in abundance.

Erecting a New Trail Sign

There is a parking area in Scio and restrooms are available nearby in the town park area a short distance off the trail. Picnic tables, benches and planted flower beds help to beautify the trailhead here in Scio. There is a parking lot with picnic tables and benches and planted flower beds and a Port-A-Potty at the New Rumley Rd. crossing about 1 1/4 miles from the Eastern end of the trail.

The Trailhead at Jewett on the Eastern end of the Conotton Creek Trail has a very large parking lot, picnic tables, benches a Port-A-Potty and a nice little covered bridge where you begin (or end) the trail.

[The trail's unique surface deserves mention: It's made of coarse asphalt with a permanent gravel top coat. It is a hard surface, but unlike most asphalt bikeways you'll find.]

Trail Specs:

Class: A3+ - surface too rough for rollerblading

Length: 11.4 miles with gravel top coat - 9-10' wide miles

Condition: Varies from slightly to very rough - use a fat-tire machine

Stops along the trail:

Bowerstown Scio Jewett

Facilities: Porto-johns at Bowerstown Trailhead & Jewett. A Porto-john at the New Rumley Rd. crossing about 1 1/4 miles from the Eastern end of the trail. Restrooms in nearby park in Scio off the trail.

Food: You'll have to ride into Scio at about the half-way point to find a grocery store and a small dairy stand.

Parking: Parking at Bowerstown, Jewett, and on Rt. 646 in Scio directly alongside trail.

Maps