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YouTubeDoes anyone know of any decent backpacking in the area? It doesn't necessarily have to be in Ohio, but within a 6 hour drive would be nice. I want to take a trip out west, but don't have any real experience. Thinking a short trip around here would be a good start.
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Backpacking in the area?
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Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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I'd shoot John Ross a PM on here, he seems to be pretty keyed into all that kind of stuff.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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Never been in OH since it was something I gave up when I moved here.
There are some nice state parks in PA. One is just across the border w/ WV.
A bit further than 6 hrs, but the Smokeys are a good place if you are going to do more than just one night. Good hiking and a balance between accessible/populated and real backcountry.
I grew backpacking all over WV and there are some great spots, but can be remote and totally w/o support.
A.
Posted 3 years ago # -
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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Zaleski National Forest has some great backpacking, right across the street from beautiful Lake Hope State Park.
There's a 26-mile loop, with three designated campsites (that offer water & toilets, a big plus). Plus there's a few areas where you can cut corners to shorten the overall distance, or even turn it into a day hike or two-day hike. If you look at the map, I did A-C, then camped (because I got there as the sun was setting and it started raining…and it was all uphill and I forgot my flashlight…duh). The next day I did C-F and chickened out & took the bypass home. I'm determined to go back & do the whole thing someday, I just need to get an earlier start on day one.
Anyway, it's beautiful, there's lots to look at, you're only about 2 hours from home, and there are a few amenities to save your ass in case you screw up. Plus the loop layout makes it easy to do it solo.
Posted 3 years ago # -
pixlfarmer
Dublin
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I'll vouch for Zaleski. Excellent trail, and you really have options on how long you want to hike. The closest campsite is only 1.8 miles in, or do up to the whole 26.
If you're looking for a REAL trek, then there's Shawnee in southern Ohio.
Wildcat Hollow is nice too. It's a state forest, so I believe you're allowed to camp anywhere you'd like there.
I really recommend piking up the book '50 Hikes in Ohio' ..even if you just like dayhikes, it is pretty much the authoritative giude to trails in Ohio. The library has some copies too.
Here's the Yahoo group for Ohio backpackers. Lots of good information here.
Posted 3 years ago # -
neverwinter
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I was also going to post about Zaleski State forest. They have great trails and having water available at the camping spots is nice.
Don't count on the water though. I have been there when they ran dry. A troop of boy scouts were playing with the pump when I went to get some at night. In the morning there were sitting by the pump. When I asked how they were doing they said "Fine, just waiting for them to turn on the water." They had played with it so much the night before they ran it dry.
The Rangers fill underground tanks at each designated spots and I believe they usually are full but it just takes a group of Boy Scouts to drain it. :)
Dale
Posted 3 years ago # -
brothermarcus
West Siiiide
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+5 for Zaleski - it's where I've trained with several groups going backpacking in New Mexico (I have yet to make it west), it's probably some of the closest hiking you'll get to western in Ohio. If you stretch to 7 hours drivetime you can get to Monongahela in WV or Smoky Mountains National Forest in Tennessee - both have trails with substantial elevation changes and Monongahela has some trails with crazy terrain (entire trails of bowling-ball size granite chunks, wilderness trails where you will have to rely heavily on cairns to find your way).
I'm off about every other weekend these days, let me know if you have room when you go - I haven't done a real lightweight/high intensity hike in years and would be interested.
Posted 3 years ago # -
pixlfarmer
Dublin
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There's a lake of stew, and of whiskey too!
You can paddle all around 'em in a big canoe!
Posted 3 years ago # -
UncommonSense
Hilliard
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You could try the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone Nat'l Forest (Eastern Kentucky)... lots of trails and scenic vistas with beautiful rock formations and the most natural arches east of the Rockies. I spent 6 days there many years ago and never got tired of the scenery. :D
Check out this site (for one) for more info: http://www.redrivergorge.org/
I also spent a couple days in the Allegheny National Forest in NW Pennsylvania. It is a beautiful area, but I didn't do too many trails.
Posted 3 years ago # -
pixlfarmer
Dublin
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UncommonSense wrote You could try the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone Nat'l Forest (Eastern Kentucky)... lots of trails and scenic vistas with beautiful rock formations and the most natural arches east of the Rockies.
Ooh... I've been wanting to go here for the past few years. People have described it to me as "Utah with trees." There's some cool pics of it on Flickr too.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ndcent
OTE
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UncommonSense wrote You could try the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone Nat'l Forest (Eastern Kentucky)... lots of trails and scenic vistas with beautiful rock formations and the most natural arches east of the Rockies. I spent 6 days there many years ago and never got tired of the scenery. :D
Check out this site (for one) for more info: http://www.redrivergorge.org/
I also spent a couple days in the Allegheny National Forest in NW Pennsylvania. It is a beautiful area, but I didn't do too many trails.
Spent time in both of those areas and they're also fantastic.
Posted 3 years ago # -
enzo
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If you are stumped and the aforementioned suggestions do not pique your interest, go to OUTDOOR SOURCE in Upper Arlington--in the kingsdale center near First Watch/Macy's/Giant Eagle.
Those guys are very helpful.
Everytime I read about hiking in New Mexico and Colorado, I get super sad that I do not live out west. It is amazing. The Jemez Mountains in New Mexico are amazing. Colorado---too many sweet places to list.
I think around here, my vote is Daniel Boone.
Are you doing climbing and backpacking or just backpacking?
Posted 3 years ago #
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