Backpack Area Resource Page
OH - Wildcat Hollow
Wildcat Hollow ~ map ~ website ~ This trail offers two options; a 15-mile loop of scenic trail along ridge-tops and stream bottoms, and a short five mile loop for day hikes. Both trails will lead through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and down old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape. You will also pass some of our land management activities. Wildflowers are at their peak in the spring, but we ask that you not pick them so that others may also enjoy them. The hiker who treads softly can often catch glimpses of the wildlife who call the forest home. Bring your binoculars and enjoy your visit.
Directions: To access this trailhead, take State Route 13 north from Athens. Turn at the sign past Tom Jenkins dam. There are two exits, CR 16 (Irish Ridge Road) then take a right onto Township Road 298. The road curves around to the left and should take you to the parking lot which should be marked. GPS Lat/Long coordinates for the trailhead is 39 deg 34' 22" / 82 deg 01' 58".
Wildcat Hollow ~ map ~ website ~ This trail offers two options; a 15-mile loop of scenic trail along ridge-tops and stream bottoms, and a short five mile loop for day hikes. Both trails will lead through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and down old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape. You will also pass some of our land management activities. Wildflowers are at their peak in the spring, but we ask that you not pick them so that others may also enjoy them. The hiker who treads softly can often catch glimpses of the wildlife who call the forest home. Bring your binoculars and enjoy your visit.
Directions: To access this trailhead, take State Route 13 north from Athens. Turn at the sign past Tom Jenkins dam. There are two exits, CR 16 (Irish Ridge Road) then take a right onto Township Road 298. The road curves around to the left and should take you to the parking lot which should be marked. GPS Lat/Long coordinates for the trailhead is 39 deg 34' 22" / 82 deg 01' 58".
OH - Wayne National Forest
Wayne National Forest ~ map ~ website ~ contains several trails the club has used such as Wildcat Hollow, Archers Fork, Covered Bridge Trail, Lamping Homestead, Vesuvius and Symmes Creek/Morgan Sisters. The Forest is a patchwork ownership that covers over a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. The Forest is divided into three units managed out of two Ranger District offices located in Nelsonville and Ironton, with a field office in Marietta. The Forest features over 300 miles of trails for hiking, all-terrain vehicle riding, mountain biking, or horseback riding in season. Wayne National Forest trails are closed to all uses except hiking from December 16 through April 14 each year.
Wayne National Forest ~ map ~ website ~ contains several trails the club has used such as Wildcat Hollow, Archers Fork, Covered Bridge Trail, Lamping Homestead, Vesuvius and Symmes Creek/Morgan Sisters. The Forest is a patchwork ownership that covers over a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. The Forest is divided into three units managed out of two Ranger District offices located in Nelsonville and Ironton, with a field office in Marietta. The Forest features over 300 miles of trails for hiking, all-terrain vehicle riding, mountain biking, or horseback riding in season. Wayne National Forest trails are closed to all uses except hiking from December 16 through April 14 each year.
WV - Otter Creek Wilderness
Otter Creek Wilderness ~ map ~ brochure ~ Otter Creek Wilderness is 20,698 acres in size. The Otter Creek Wilderness lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain. Most of the streams flow north into Otter Creek. Vegetation consists of second-growth timber, rhododendron, and a variety of mosses and lichens. Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the mouth of Otter Creek to 3,900 feet on McGowan Mountain.For trail information,
Directions: Otter Creek Wilderness is located on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph Counties, West Virginia. For additional information on this area contact the Cheat Ranger District, PO Box 368, Parsons, West Virginia 26287 at (304) 478-2000.
Otter Creek Wilderness ~ map ~ brochure ~ Otter Creek Wilderness is 20,698 acres in size. The Otter Creek Wilderness lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain. Most of the streams flow north into Otter Creek. Vegetation consists of second-growth timber, rhododendron, and a variety of mosses and lichens. Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the mouth of Otter Creek to 3,900 feet on McGowan Mountain.For trail information,
Directions: Otter Creek Wilderness is located on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph Counties, West Virginia. For additional information on this area contact the Cheat Ranger District, PO Box 368, Parsons, West Virginia 26287 at (304) 478-2000.
PA - Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest ~ map ~ website ~ contains dozens of trails the club has used. Tracy Ridge, Morrison Hiking Trail, Red House, Tanbark, Hickory Creek, Minister Creek, North Country Trail section, Clear Creek and others.
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, is approximately 517,000 acres and includes land in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties in the northwestern corner of the State. About 463,000 acres are forested, 42,000 acres are non-forest, and 11,000 acres are covered by water (primarily the Allegheny Reservoir). The ANF is administratively divided into two Ranger Districts: Bradford and Marienville.
The Allegheny National Forest ~ map ~ website ~ contains dozens of trails the club has used. Tracy Ridge, Morrison Hiking Trail, Red House, Tanbark, Hickory Creek, Minister Creek, North Country Trail section, Clear Creek and others.
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, is approximately 517,000 acres and includes land in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties in the northwestern corner of the State. About 463,000 acres are forested, 42,000 acres are non-forest, and 11,000 acres are covered by water (primarily the Allegheny Reservoir). The ANF is administratively divided into two Ranger Districts: Bradford and Marienville.
WV - Cranberry Wilderness Area
Cranberry Wilderness Area ~ map ~ brochure ~ website ~ The 47,815 acre Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Pocahontas and Webster Counties, West Virginia. The area includes the entire drainage of the Middle Fork of the Williams and the North Fork of the Cranberry Rivers. Elevations range from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet.
Directions: From I-79, take Exit 57, follow U.S. 19 south to Rt. 55 east, to Rt. 150. From I-64, take exit 169 and follow U.S. Rt. 219 north to Rt. 39 west to Rt. 150. Rt. 150, the Highland Scenic Highway, is not snowplowed in winter and is closed to vehicular traffic.
Cranberry Wilderness Area ~ map ~ brochure ~ website ~ The 47,815 acre Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Pocahontas and Webster Counties, West Virginia. The area includes the entire drainage of the Middle Fork of the Williams and the North Fork of the Cranberry Rivers. Elevations range from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet.
Directions: From I-79, take Exit 57, follow U.S. 19 south to Rt. 55 east, to Rt. 150. From I-64, take exit 169 and follow U.S. Rt. 219 north to Rt. 39 west to Rt. 150. Rt. 150, the Highland Scenic Highway, is not snowplowed in winter and is closed to vehicular traffic.
PA - Morrison Hiking Trail
Morrison Hiking Trail ~ map ~ website ~ This trailhead offers access to the 10.8 mile (17 kilometer) Morrison loop trail. The two loops offer a 2-day backpacking experience or a short day hike. This trail leads to Morrison Campground, a boat access located on Kinzua Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir. Facilities at the trailhead include a vault restroom and informational signing.
Directions: Morrison Trailhead is located on the Longhouse National Scenic Byway (State Route 59), about 18 miles east of Warren, PA and 22 miles west of Bradford, PA.[Last edited 2 days ago]
Morrison Hiking Trail ~ map ~ website ~ This trailhead offers access to the 10.8 mile (17 kilometer) Morrison loop trail. The two loops offer a 2-day backpacking experience or a short day hike. This trail leads to Morrison Campground, a boat access located on Kinzua Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir. Facilities at the trailhead include a vault restroom and informational signing.
Directions: Morrison Trailhead is located on the Longhouse National Scenic Byway (State Route 59), about 18 miles east of Warren, PA and 22 miles west of Bradford, PA.[Last edited 2 days ago]