The Serpent's Scale
Map & Directions Below
The Serpent's Scale is a quick round trip run of about 47 miles from Lake Hope or it can be added to the Heart of the Serpent for a longer day ride. The Serpent's Scale takes you cruising down paved backroads, over ridges, through hollers, alongside creeks both blue and red from mine drainage, past many Serpent's Bones, and across the Eakin Mill Covered Bridge - the only one you can still drive through in Vinton County. You cross over I-32 in favor of winding, paved backroads with minimal traffic and multiple opportunities to say, "Wow!" and "Hang on!" #serpentbonesohio on Instagram
Start at Lake Hope, head south on SR 278 to Hwy 50, go east. In less than a mile, at the bottom of the big hill, turn right onto Old Hwy 50 then right at the top of the hill and stay right to get onto Union Ridge Road, a long, meandering ride through rural homesteads and forest, then stay right at the stop sign at the bottom to access Hwy 32. Take a right and then the second right back off the freeway onto CR 38A and ride across the reconstructed Eakin Mills Covered Bridge. The end without the farmdog is better for pictures. Turn left at the stop sign to re-access Hwy 32 going west (right).
Turn right on SR 160 at Radcliff and wind along the outer edge of Vinton Experimental Forest past scenic ruins from the railroad and along a creek that often runs bright red. Turn right onto SR 324 toward Dundas, then right again in Dundas onto Vinton Station Road, which looks from this direction like the first hill of an old school roller coaster as it ascends the hill. Pop out onto Hwy 50, quick right then left onto SR 677 past Austin Powder explosives plant into Zaleski and meet SR 278 north to get back to Lake Hope. You've ridden the Serpent's Scale, and it might be time for a celebratory swim in the lake or a nap beneath a tree.
Enjoy!
Sidewinder - If you want a side jaunt on a pretty roughly paved road, go west on Hwy 32 PAST SR 160 one exit to Thompsonville Rd left off of the highway. Go past the Campbell Tunnel (see picture below) first view of tunnel on right about 1/2 mile down but barking dogs at trailer so go up and over the hill and down to the other entrance - see an old RR tunnel almost 900 feet long, hand carved from the rock!
Turn by Turn Directions:
SR 278 S from Lake Hope
Left on Hwy 50 E
Right at bottom of hill onto Old Hwy 50
Right at top of hill on Union Ridge Rd - CR 6 (not onto Harkins Chapel)
Right at stop sign on Vales Mill Rd to I-32
Right on I-32
Second right onto CR 38A and cross covered bridge (!)
Left at stop sign.
Right on Hwy 32
Right on SR 160 (unless hang left to Thomsonville Rd and Campbell Tunnel - N 39° 07.267 W 082° 22.877)
Right SR 324 N
Right in Dundas on Vinton Station Rd (CR 24)
Right on Hwy 50 E
Immediate left onto SR 677 to Zaleski
Left onto SR 278 N to Lake Hope
44 miles - about 1.2 hours
The Serpent's Scale - map
From Lake Hope, you can also access this route by going straight across from the dam onto Hope/Moonville Rd and turning right onto Wheelabout Rd. Follow it through the forest (paved, but rough and often has debris) and stay straight onto State Forest Rd, again stay straight at the 4 way onto Brooks-Martin Rd, which will take you to Hwy 50. Cross 50 with a slight jog and you're on the path to Union Ridge Rd.
The last standing example in the world of Belgian Coke Ovens imported first to PA, then to a location in what is now the Vinton Experimental Forest near Dundas, OH. Each stone is hand crafted and numbered for re-assembly. Labeled as Vinton Furnace, it was never very successful and fell into disrepair. It is difficult to access, and a bit of a challenge to find, but well worth the adventure. Take Stone Quarry Rd (very rough gravel) south of Hwy 50, past the closed end of Murphy Rd (not closed to adventure riders - but quite a challenge, especially in wet or icy conditions), and park by the rotten bridge. Follow trail signs and pray. Better, use GPS - N 39° 12.296 W 082° 24.444
Really mucky, deep mud and clay. Super cool though! Road to it is paved well enough for most vehicles. Gravel turn around at far end of tunnel on RR bed.
Arbaugh Covered Bridge at Eakins Mills, just off 32 W on CR 38 N. Lovely.