How to Quest

Quest clues and maps—created by 

teachers, volunteers, and/or park 

staff—will help you discover the 

natural and cultural gems of the 

Ohio & Erie Canalway. At the end 

of each quest is a hidden treasure 

box. Sign your name in the logbook, 

stamp this page, and return the box 

to its hiding place.

The questing season runs from 

April 15 through November 15.

Notice a problem or have 

suggestions for improving this 

quest? Contact Arrye Rosser at 

440-546-5992 or arrye_rosser@nps.gov.

About This Program

I’m Arrye Rosser, interpretive and education specialist at Cuyahoga 

=HSSL`5H[PVUHS7HYR0»KSPRL[V[OHURL]LY`VUL^OVOLSWLKM\SÄSST`

dream of bringing questing to Ohio. This project was made possible 

by the generous support of a 2010 Parks as Classrooms grant from the 

National Park Service and is a partnership between many organizations.

So far, more than 100 teachers, volunteers, and park staff have been 

PU]VS]LKPU^YP[PUNHUKÄLSK[LZ[PUN*HUHS^H`8\LZ[Z6\YWSHUPZ[V

create many more in the years ahead. If you would like to volunteer, 

contact me at 440-546-5992 or arrye_rosser@nps.gov.

Special thanks to Emily Bryant and Steven Glazer.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway celebrates the rails, trails, landscapes, 

[V^UZHUKZP[LZ[OH[NYL^\WHSVUN[OLÄYZ[TPSLZVM[OLJHUHS

that helped Ohio and our nation grow. 

For more information and to get copies of other quests, visit 

ohioanderiecanalway.com and search under Activities for Questing.

Brandywine Falls. ©JERRY JELINEK

Canalway Quest

Relationships With Water Quest

Enjoy a scenic, moderate hike along Brandywine 

Creek, with a steep climb to view Brandywine Falls.

STAMP HERE 

This quest was written by Nathan Klein, a teacher with the 

Marlington Local Schools, and Brandi Killinger, a teacher with 

the Cloverleaf Local Schools, with support from Emily Bryant, 

questing project assistant. It was updated in 2012.

;OL>HSSHJLMHTPS`WYVÄ[LKMYVT[OLTPNO[`MHSSZZVULHY

Encouraging others to come to Brandywine and prosper here.

Continue forward, around the lawn’s edge you go.

5L_[WH\ZLVU[OLVSKIYPKNL[VZLL[OLMHSSZÅV^

Follow the trail to the asphalt walkway at right.

Venture around the path, and hold the metal railing tight.

Industry at the Falls

George Wallace, Sr. was eager to harness hydropower

-VYH^VVSMHJ[VY`HKPZ[PSSLY`HUKHTPSS[VNYPUKÅV\Y

Look left—remains of an electric company are seen.

A sign tells how it replaced the gristmill, built in 1814.

When businesses boomed, the community thrived—

Until Cleveland and Akron industries arrived.

Soon after, Brandywine Village began waning.

By the late 1870s, there were few people remaining.

Along the Boardwalks

From upper to lower boardwalk, walk right with steady feet.

The “dessert” to this quest is truly very sweet!

This breathtaking view looks different each visit for a reason.

The waterfall changes moods with the weather and season.

In summer, after heavy thunderstorms, the waters rage.

In winter, frozen water is a peaceful stage. 

Treasure Box

Head back up the stairs and right, your quest to resume.

By the kiosk, sneak around right of the men’s restroom.

Find the fence in the back, making sure you’re alone.

Your treasure is at the second post, under a stone.

Be secretive as you sign the logbook in the box.

When you’re done, replace it as it was, under the rock.

We hope you enjoyed the Relationships With Water Quest.

Come back again soon and please bring a guest!

Clues Continued...

SUMMIT COUNTY SECTION

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

BRANDYWINE FALLS
Planning Ahead

This treasure hunt takes about 65 minutes. There are steep, rocky 

surfaces that can be slippery and muddy. Insect repellent, hiking 

shoes, and a walking stick are recommended. You will need a pen 

or pencil to sign the logbook. Some people prefer using their own 

signature stamp and ink pad or marker. 

Getting There

Start in the parking lot at Brandywine Falls, 8176 Brandywine Road 

(south of Highland Road and north of Twinsburg Road), Sagamore 

Hills, Ohio 44067.

Clues

To Begin

Welcome to Brandywine Falls! To start your quest today,

Read how water’s power shaped history on CVNP’s kiosk display.

Follow the walkway down and turn left, heading west.

On this gravel path, your “view” of the falls is far from best.

Ignore the Stanford sign. The asphalt way is correct. 

A slow and steady hike from here is what to expect. 

Avoiding potholes, down closed Stanford Road progress. 

At the barrier—halt, and take the path at right for success.

Gorge Bridge

;YLR[V[OLSVUNMVV[IYPKNLI\PS[VMÄILYNSHZZ

It replaced stepping stones that high waters did surpass.

A crew of volunteers constructed this bridge in ’09,

Making it safer to cross the creek, Brandywine.

Walk 29 steps on the bridge and look into the creek.

)LSV^PU[OL^H[LYJYH`ÄZOHUK`V\UNPUZLJ[ZZULHR

This habitat is precious for these animals, indeed.

>H[LYÅV^PUNV]LYYVJRZZ\WWVY[Z[OLSP]LZ[OL`SLHK

>P[OZTHSSLYJYLH[\YLZMVYMVVKWYLKH[VYZÅV\YPZO

Ensuring that larger animals up the food chain are nourished.

Lonely Tree

Cross the bridge and continue to the right. 

Soon the last of its generation will be in sight.

As you swing left, spot a massive dead tree. 

Turn to your right. Brandywine Creek you’ll see. 

;OLÅV^VM[OLJYLLRKLWLUKZVUZUV^HUKYHPU

Mixing oxygen into the water, aquatic life to sustain.

Vernal Pool

-VSSV^[OLKPY[[YHPS\U[PS`V\ÄUKHML^Z[LWWPUNZ[VULZ

Look left—another relationship with water is shown.

Each spring, in this pool, frogs and salamanders reproduce.

For these small, water-loving animals, it is of great use.

This vernal pool may not exist here all year round. 

Vernal means spring, the best time for water to be found. 

Gorge Wall

140 more steps from the stepping stones, please hike

To come upon a sight that geologists might like. 

Stop here and look left at the cliff way up high.

Rocks layered with history reach to the sky.

Through the trees, glimpse shale of the Bedford Formation,

Made in shallow seas with periods of oxygen deprivation.

Elbow of the Creek 

Continue 25 steps to a small path branching right.

Follow it to the bench, have a seat—what a beautiful sight!

An example of erosion making a transformation,

5V[PJLOV^[OLÅV^PUNJYLLRILUKZH[[OPZSVJH[PVU

Erosion is when a surface over time is worn away.

Moving water causes its structure to slowly decay.

Over the years, the force of water carved out the bank.

:VPSHUKYVJRZÅVH[LKH^H`HUKSH[LYZHUR

Up the Hill 

Head back to the main trail and then right you must go.

At the wood steps, look left at the vernal pool below.

5L_[ZLLRZ[YLHTILKZ^OLYLYHPUÅV^ZKV^U[OLOPSSZPKL

Further along to your right, moisture-loving hemlocks reside.

This is the hard part! Huff and puff as you climb uphill. 

Eventually, a fence you’ll see; we promise you will! 

Rest on the bench near the top, if you need a break. 

Listen for the sounds of water. Do your muscles ache?

Inn at Brandywine Falls

Turn right onto paving. At inn so white, slow down. 

Imagine how this area was once a bustling town.

House and barn were owned by James Wallace in the past.

It’s now lodging for visitors, a bed and breakfast.