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.

Lock 29. NPS/TIM FENNER

Canalway Quest

Questing Lock to Lock

Take an easy stroll from Lock 29 to Lock 30, 

learning about canal history.

STAMP HERE

This quest was written by Karey Criswell, a teacher with the Tuslaw Local 

Schools, and Dixie Loughney, a teacher with the Akron Public Schools. 

The map was created by Emily Bryant, questing project assistant. The 

quest was updated in 2012.

Beyond the sign, at the stone walls, be sure to peek—

For a tree that grows between cement walls is unique.

A feeder channel was once where the tree now grows.

0[Z\WWSPLK^H[LYMYVT[OL*\`HOVNH[VHPK[OLJHUHS»ZÅV^

You’re now at our quest’s end, with knowledge of history.

Where the questing box lies, though, is still a mystery. 

At the southernmost corner of Lock 30’s western wall,

Take the second steep path down, taking care not to fall!

1\Z[PUZPKL[OLSVJRSLM[ÄUKHJVSSHWZLKZOLSMVMZ[VUL

With gaps hidden by loose rock and plants overgrown.

At the end by the path, behind rock, reach inside

;VÄUK^OLYL[OL3VJR[V3VJR[YLHZ\YLOPKLZ

Stamp your quest and sign the logbook in the box,

Then replace the treasure as sly and quick as a fox. 

Now you have a decision to make; look at your clock. 

Will you continue on about a mile to Lonesome Lock?

Or go straight back to the parking lot—you decide.

At the depot, learn how you can take a scenic train ride.

But if you hear your belly growling,

Grab a bite in Peninsula to calm the howling.

Clues Continued...

SUMMIT COUNTY SECTION

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK 

PENINSULA
Read the exhibit to learn what these symbols mean.

How many different Roman numerals can be seen?

During canal times, this lock was full of water,

Raising and lowering boats like an elevator.

Now out of the lock you will head,

North toward “BOSTON 2 1⁄2 M” you should tread.

On your left and right, see many sycamore trees.

Peeling white bark and “near to river” are keys.

:[VWVU[OLJLTLU[IYPKNL^OLYL^H[LYÅV^Z\UKLY[V^WH[O

If you’re lucky, a frog or snake may be taking a bath.

45 steps past the cement bridge’s end,

To the left on a beaten path you wend.

TPSLZSVUNÄYZ[ZV\[OHUK[OLUUVY[O[V3HRL,YPLP[NVLZ

+\L[VNLVSVNPJHSOPZ[VY`[OL*\`HOVNHPUH<ZOHWLÅV^Z

Walk toward the three trees at the river’s edge.

On the other side, was this the old ice storage shed?

Roofed with cedar and built of spruce, hemlock, or pine,

0UZ\SH[LK^P[OZH^K\Z[VYJOHYJVHS[VRLLW[LTWLYH[\YLZÄUL

Used between 1801 and 1900 to keep ice in store,

Before there were trays in your freezer door. 

Back on the trail heading north, Lock 30 is your goal.

Notice where the canal bed disappears along your stroll.

Keep following the towpath for a short duration,

Enjoying nature’s congregation.

Lock 30 will be off to your right.

Be careful! The edge is at quite a height.

Lock 30 is 90 feet long and 15 feet wide.

Stand atop and imagine a canal boat inside.

Continue past Lock 30, for there’s more to know.

Across the towpath to the sign you should go. 

This exhibit will educate any reader

About the bridge and Peninsula feeder.

Find the bridge where drivers and mules once walked,

Pulling boats on the canal as the locals gawked. 

Three mules per team along the path often plugged.

Eighty tons for eight hours those animals tugged.

Planning Ahead

This treasure hunt takes about 35 minutes. Most surfaces are hard and 

ÅH[I\[[OLYLHYL[^VPUJSPULZ0UZLJ[YLWLSSLU[PZYLJVTTLUKLK@V\

will need a pen or pencil to sign the logbook. Some people prefer 

using their own signature stamp and ink pad or marker. Note that this 

area is often congested on weekends. Stay to the right as you hike, 

and be alert for cyclists.

Getting There

Start at the Lock 29 Trailhead, 1648 Mill Street, off Akron Peninsula 

9VHKUVY[OVM:97LUPUZ\SH6OPV6]LYÅV^WHYRPUNPZ

available just north of this lot.

Clues

Begin at the kiosk in the parking lot.

Pause to read the canal story plot

Of a ditch that linked wilderness to the world.

The Ohio & Erie’s history is about to be unfurled!

Before you journey on your way,

>OH[JH\NO[VUÄYLZWHYRPUN[OLÄYZ[,HY[O+H`&

Now head toward the SHARED TRAIL,

Beginning your quest through this beautiful vale. 

As you walk on the towpath, please be polite.

Listen for those passing and stay to the right.

Go up the wooden stairs and observe the 29th lock.

The foundation was built of which kind of rock?

Crossing the bridge over Cuyahoga is quite a thrill.

Once across, read about the Moody and Thomas Mill.

/LYL[OLNYPZ[TPSSZ[VVK\U[PSHÄYLPU+LJLTILY 

Now it’s a ruin with a beautiful view for everyone. 

;YLRIHJRKV^U[OLZ[LWZ·`V\»YLKVPUNQ\Z[ÄUL

Go under the bridge and enter Lock 29.

Find Roman numerals, such as V (5), VI (6), III (3), and II (2),

*HY]LKVUÄUPZOLKZ[VULZ[VILZOPWWLKI`HTHZVUJYL^