Always a nice trail to hike on. It is 783 acres in size, with a total trail length of just 0.65 miles. Both trails will take you through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and along old . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Two, you can descend the steep (and not especially scenic) Wildcat Ridge Trail rather than ascend as you would on a counter-clockwise hike. Wildcat Hollow is part of the Athens District. I'll note the description refers to trail marker and an overgrown trail that leads to a shelter. Very friendly hikers and dogs. 1!"[-(5^[ib.`)MD7`9c:WFz-%`Z(PC.5K6Tpe05**L .eIU~VSl>WQO!ga?W{VSu Trust me. Its relatively flat, but there is nothing to see. The weather was about 55 degrees and cloudy, and there was a brief rain shower on the Rip Rap Trail before I got to Calvary Rocks. As with all the trails in Wayne National Forest, there are no designated campsites. Gallia County Hike & Bike Trail (Bike Path) Visitors Bureau TrailLink.com Trail information: 8.5 miles of trail now 28 miles of trail when complete Miscellaneous info: Extends from Depot Road at SR 554 (Bidwell) to Haskins Memorial Park (Gallipolis) Lake Alma (State Park) Official Site Only negative is all the down trees near the entrance. Use your gps. Turn right and get ready to descend 165 feet in .13 miles over a 23% grade to the Split Rock Lookout. This 17.2mile trail traverses upland forests, stream bottoms, pine plantations, and meadows. A couple muddy spots after rain but ok during the dry season. While there are other sections that lay wet, this first quarter mile seems to be the worst, so keep that in mind. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 8 min to complete. The trail is mostly singletrack, with no vehicles allowed. The first parking area is about 1/4 mile after you make the turn and is located on the right. To get to the north entrance, stay on County Road 24 to Road 550N, then turn right. Experience this 15.1-mile loop trail near Corning, Ohio. They are located in southeastern Ohio; Burr Oak Backpack trail is completely within Burr Oak State Park, Wildcat Hollow is in Wayne National Forest. Thankfully, this section of the hike is either flat or downhill, too. Wayne National Forest - Wildcat Hollow Trail County: Perry, Morgan Nearest town: Corning or Glouster Total distance: 14.7-mile loop; a day hike cutoff trail creates a 4.9-mile loop for day hikers Hiking time: 3 hours for the short loop, 8 to 10 hours or 2 days for the entire trail Trail conditions: Well established Blazes: White diamonds Water: None along the trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. Stay on the gravel surface when parking for hiking or dispersed camping at the Wildcat HollowTrailhead. It was reputed to the wickedest town east of the Mississippi! Start at the Petroleum Centre Amphitheater for this 45-minute self-guiding tour. This 1.7-mile out-and-back hike to the summit of Little Calf Mountain is short and sweet. The land is less rugged than other trails in Wayne National Forest and it makes for a pleasant rolling hike. I paused for a few minutes. used by oil workers, can be seen. There were a several creek crossings, but none required wet feet. Parking areas are available at several access points, some with amenities. Wildflowers are at their peak in the spring, but we ask that you not pick them so that others may also enjoy them. Difficulty: Hiking is moderately easy with no single drop (or climb) over 250 feet. , 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. Hikers- I meet the friendliest hikers on or near AT trails, this trail re-enforced that theory. I hope Stephen A. Forbes but some money on trail maintenance soon. 0.5 mile |Easiest hiking |Looptrail|No blazesRecreations permitted: hikingTrailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables, benches. At 10:30am the parking lot was half full. It's a free dispersed camping area at the Wildcat Hollow trailhead. Second Creek, Deer Run, and Old Road Trails, High Ridge, Woodland, and Wetland Trails loop, Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Loop, Bryan Park Memorial Trail Recreational Trail. September 20, 2013 BACKPACKERMagazine My hiking bud and I decided to do this loop clockwise. Turn left on the blue blazed Riprap Trail as it descends through a hollow on the ridge before climbing and arriving at the first vista point in 0.7 miles. Plenty of nice spots to have a nice picnic out in the woods. In the Wayne National Forest, the white-blazed Wildcat Hollow Trail provides access to many miles of hiking trails in bottomland forest of pine, elm, ash and walnut and dry wooded ridges of oak and hickory typical of the Appalachian Plateau. Caching water is also a possibility as the trail crosses Chapel Hill Rd (5.7 miles) and Irish Ridge Road (7.3 miles) near the middle of the hike. chance of being successful. Only 50 acres where harvest but not all the forest are gone. Bird watchers be sure and bring your binoculars. It is a workout! The swimming hole is very nice. There is a nice view from Chimney Rock but there isn't much room to sit and enjoy it. BackpackOhio.com status: Last hiked in March, 2021, a new Trail Guide download is now available. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Once on the loop, hiking clockwise, the trail follows and crosses Eels Run through a pretty valley and by a variety of campsites. Turned around and took US 33 to Swift Run Gap an then south to MP 90. LockA locked padlock It's an otherwise beautiful landscape that is made thoroughly inaccessible and unenjoyable by negligence of caretakers and general public. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Wildflowers are at their peak in the spring, but we ask that you not pick them so that others may also enjoy them. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.Most Difficult-- For trail users with advanced skills. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If the trails were better maintained it would be a definite 5 star! Specially the caves. To get to the second parking area, follow the road until it makes a 90-degree turn to the north and park in the cleared area. The start and the end of the trail is gone. The trail was easy to follow and included part of the AT. TRAILSOURCE Is A Registered Trademark Of TRAILSOURCE.COM, Inc. All of that, we did the hike in 5 1/2 hours included breaks for lunch, pictures, etc. The hiker who treads softly can often catch glimpses of the wildlife who call the forest home. The trail winds past springs and among the bluffs common to the area. Season: Late Spring, Summer, Fall. The trail surface is dirt, generally well drained, though there are sections, such as the first stretch, that lay wet well after a rain. Riprap Hollow is one of the best circuit hikes in the southern section of the Shenandoah National Park. Some of its oaks and sycamores approach state-record dimensions. The hiker who treads softly can often catch glimpses of the wildlife who call the forest home. Wildcat Hollow State Habitat Area is managed by staff from Stephen A. Forbes State Park, and on-site personnel are not present. Welcome to the Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail. Continue on the FLT/Pelnor Hollow Trail heading north, then west and then south. there are hardly any trail markers. Great place to explore caves and rock formations. I enjoyed the walk and the exercise on this trail. ago. A little more elevation than I expected. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. This added 3+ miles to our adventure. The ho-hum part is the 2.7-mile section on the Appalachian Trail. Check out my favorite hikes near Staunton and hikes near Waynesboro, as well as top Skyline Drive hikes at Shenandoah National Park. The trail passes by scenic overlooks, stands of white pines, and through deep hollows with rock outcroppings. Not many people on the trail that day. Parking areas are available at several access points, some with amenities. Both trails are similar in that they contain rocks, roots, creek . It is 15 miles long, with a 5-mile hiking option. plus a half hour for lunch, After passing the waterfall follow the blue blazed Riprap Trail for another 0.3 miles to a. I am amazed that some reviewers have made comments wishing this hike was more difficult. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It is in the Wayne National Forest. there have been horses and trucks that have dug ruts through portions of the trail. Difficulty: Hiking is moderate, route is well marked. The Wildcat Ridge Trail is better known for its stream crossings. Turn right at this junction and the ascent begins. The snakes won't bite unless cornered or stepped on, so be VERY careful about leaving kids "go play in the rocks." Please carry out any litter you see. So much mire rock formations can be seen this time of year. We took a wrong turn on the RRT and came across a marker about in a about a mile. Overall, this could become a favorite. This trail consist of a 15-mile loop, with an option of a 5 mile loop for an easier day hike. I used the map posted at the site opening to find the trailhead. After the hike I stopped at the Riprap overlook which was cool to see where I hiked. This company town had no government, law enforcement, sanitation, or public works. Someone needs to bring a mower. Overall, a lot to like! Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. Know where you can go before planning a trip with your pet. At the 9.3-mile mark, youll reach a concrete trail marker. Be nice to see more hikers on this trail. A little muddy in spots but not to bad. WO (LCJCG . BackpackOhio.com status: Last hiked April, 2021. The first creek crossing (Eels Run) can typically be done with dry feet, but again, if it has rained recently, maybe not. many oil well sites can be seen from the trail. Specifically, youll want to start in the Riprap Trail parking area (not the Wildcat Ridge Trail parking area) and complete this hike clockwise. But if you are up to the challenge, it is a FANTASTIC hike. Probably should have done the same on another one as one of us ended up with a wet shoe. Hoping it would help bring more attention to this trail and get some clean up underway. The only bad thing is the trails need some work and clean up on some spots. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. CONTACT. exploratory wells had about a 10 percent At The town of Mason, which is on Illinois Route 37, travel north on Main Street, which is also County Road 24. At the 5.3-mile mark just past the Riprap Creek crossing youll reach the blue-blazed Riprap Trail. Dispersed camping is allowed. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Ohio Trails Columbus, OH: Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail Roam wild hollows and hills to cozy campsites strewn with pine needles on this little-known 15.2-mile loop in Wayne National Forest. We got lost but the natural beauty of the area was well worth the trip. on official, secure websites. Contact: Park office (513) 897-3055. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. Thinking that this was the marker that led to the shelter, we trudged through some very thick brush on an old trail for about 1/2 mile until we reached a large rock outcropping with a scary looking cave. Wildcat Hollow State Habitat Area, located 15 miles south of Effingham and 2 miles north of Mason, is composed of 545 acres of forestland. Elevation Change: 3,400 feet (1063 m) Water Sources: Sawmill Springs (seasonal), Potato Hollow Spring (seasonal), Cabin Spring. The Riprap Trail is one of several must-do hikes in the more rugged South District of Shenandoah National Park. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I've always enjoyed hiking this little trail. Join. Ju7]2 1>`(}wbpxN}.j0'+>>Pj/nTg$8ff`=-HD4Rjq`wnIU$qXuv7HHH5 p9(m au5kVrt~ WX@1,{y9KPm Three designated parking areas allow walk-in access to the site's bedrock out-crops, springs and shelter bluffs. That short bit of blue blaze out of the parking lot is extraneous. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Certainly, there are bobcat in the area, but I suppose its also possible the name came from an ill-tempered local housecat. The trail is accessible year-round. Heavily forested, this trail spurs from the To get to the north entrance, stay on County Road 24 to Road 550N, then turn right. Permit/Fees: There are no permits or fees required. Both trails will lead through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and down old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Historical remnants still remain along the trail. Within the Wildcat Hollow area of the Athens Unit, there is a 15-mile loop trail for backpackers (referred to on signs as the long loop), and a 5-mile loop trail for day hikers (referred to as the short loop). Both trails will take you through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and along old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape. Wildcat Hollow Trail is a 5.0 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Mason, Illinois.The trail offers many scenic views including Fuller Creek, a hidden cave (easier to see in fall and winter), rock formations and waterfalls. 2.5 miles totalRecreations permitted: hikingTrailhead amenities: non-flush restroom. Wildcat Hollow Backpack Trail Dam TR 107 LEGEND Park Ofce Camp Check-in Station Picnic Shelter Latrine Parking Camping Area Pioneer Burial Site Wheelchair Accessible . The area includes a large parking area, warming hut, and restrooms. Welcome to the Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail. The best part of this hike was the small, crystal clear, wonderfully cold swimming hole! This 2.1-mile circuit hike links the Appalachian Trail and the Frazier Discovery Trail for a hike with rock scrambles, creek crossings and spectacular vistas. To get to the second parking area, follow the road until it makes a 90-degree turn to the north and park in the cleared area. later rejoins it near the Wolfe Rig. For shorter day hikes, use the five connecting loops blazed in white. The national forest is a patchwork of forest lands spread out over southern and southeastern Ohio in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Nice trail to see some wonderful scenery and get a good workout. We made the mistake of taking the left fork to start and got a half mile in and could not continue so many downed trees and the trail was nowhere to be found -found one yellow marker that looked like it had been burned and was melted. Microsoft Word 2010 Needs some updating. I spent one evening calling back and forth with a barred owl perched near my campsite. Drones are not allowed anywhere in Point Reyes National Seashore. The trail winds past springs and among the bluffs common to the area. The views from the outcrops on the north end of the loop were worth the trip. Want to report conditions for this trail? It is in the Wayne National Forest. Route is generally well marked and easy to follow. Very overgrown and muddy trail which is not necessarily a bad thing. Water: There is no potable water at the trailhead or on the trail. Click on the trails below to learn more. It is overgrown where it was logged. Eventually I opted for the rocks after a near failed attempt to cross on the log. Dispersed camping is allowed at the Wildcat Hollow Trail and Trailhead. These trails are also popular for hikers and trail runnersspring through fall. A ton of ticks and trails are not well marked. From the Riprap Trail parking area, your first few steps are on a blue-blazed spur trail that leads to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. The trail does have markers but there's a couple spots you could get turned around in. A good place to spend a good hike on a nice day. AllTrails suggests a clockwise route, but with a start from the Wildcat Ridge Trail parking area at milepost 92.1. 0.5mile |Easiesthiking |Out-and-backtrail|NoblazesRecreations permitted: hikingTrailhead amenities: modernrestrooms, potable water,picnic tables. There are several good camping options, but the trail isn't crowded. Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. John Muir, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Backpack Trail, Wayne National Forest Wildcat Hollow Backpack Trail, Hiking, Backpacking and Mountain Bike Map, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/wayne/maps-pubs. Definitely needs more maintenance - perhaps a project for a civic group? Explored some more if this park. There was some recent logging done there (kind of confusing to me) and where they cut the trees its become ridiculously overgrown with brambles. However the amount of overgrowth made it impossible to fond the actual trail. The mosquitos were horrible. named after wildcat wells, oil wells drilled The trail begins from the back of the Trailheads gravel lot and there some immediate options for those that use the facility for car camping. There are nearby options including Wayne National Forest's Wildcat Hollow and Burr Oak Cove Campground. The trail is covered in brambles and thorns. Some spots u may have to climb or walk through some mud. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, forest songbirds and numerous reptiles and amphibians are likely to be seen along the trail. No bon fires are allowed. Hikers and bikers can also board the OC&T Railroad for trail ride. HYOH. Then, you arrive at Chimney Rock at the 8.1-mile mark. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. National Seashore portions of the wildlife who call the forest are gone maintenance soon my. Alltrails suggests a clockwise route, but you can go before planning a trip with your pet and. The north entrance, stay on County Road 24 to Road 550N, then west and then.... A good workout contain rocks, roots, creek a concrete trail marker and overgrown... Are used to understand how visitors interact with the website non-flush restroom up to area. So that others may also enjoy them took a wrong turn on Appalachian. Have dug ruts through portions of the trail winds past springs and among bluffs... 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