Ancient Footsteps Virtual Cache

Long before the white man built the canals to get from one river to another, the Native Americans were accomplishing this goal. Take a peek back in time and discover their journey and how they accomplished it.

In ancient times Native Americans needed a way to travel from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. They accomplished this by canoeing down the Cuyahoga River and then portaging to the Tuscarawas River to finish their journey. The path they used is now called the Portage Path and was approximately 7 miles in length. Imagine yourself making this trek with a heavy canoe held over your head and the forest floor beneath your moccasined feet. This was no small task yet it was one the Native Americans considered to be just another part of their life and heritage.

It was a long and arduous trek!

To begin your journey back in time, park at the coordinates listed at the top of the page. This is for the Big Bend parking lot off Merriman Rd. and is NOT your final destination, nor will you be hiking 7 miles to get to your destination. (We will leave the long distance treks to our Native American brothers!) From the parking lot proceed to the trails and cross the railroad tracks. If you are lucky you may see the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad train pass on its way to Akron, Ohio! Follow the Portage Path which will take you to several locations needed to answer the 6 questions below.

To claim this cache you must answer the following questions correctly. E-mail or message your answers to us. Do not include any answers in your log below. Failure to answer any of the questions will result in the removal of your post.

1. Big Bend was a prehistoric hunting camp. Big Bend is the most southern of what sites found thus far? (N41^o 07.880 W81^o 32.392)
2. What does the sign say to "Keep off" at N41^o 07.969 W81^o 32.576?

Continue down the path a short distance to reach your final landmark destination. You will know it when you see it. Answer all of the following questions from the plaques and signs near this landmark and include them in your e-mail to us. Again, failure to do so will result in the removal of your post.

3. The series of 32 stones (only about17 of them are now visible) marked the actual trail of the Portage Path as it was surveyed by Moses Warren in 1797. What sculpture sits upon the second stone from the railroad tracks?
4. Look for the plaque near the featured landmark Native American with canoe. What family is the memorial dedicated to?
5. On the Old Portage Path sign, what pond can be seen on the map?
6. The 1797 survey of the trail began at what kind of tree on the south bank of the river? *THIS ANSWER IS DEFINITELY AVAILABLE* Look carefully on the other side of the trail!

We hope you enjoyed your journey into the past!