heading to the buckeye state..

“reformed where are u?”

“Don't worry turtle, I have been chastized a many times for saying "Ohio State." People around here demand you refer to it as "The Ohio State" Crazy.”

“"the ohio state" eh? i think we may have some problems with some "scarlet" and gray "helmets getting tighter... 8~)”

“Hey Turtle!

I live in the Irish Hills of Michigan, near a town called Brooklyn. It takes a bit under an hour to get to Toledo.

Here's the deal with Toledo and hiking...

Oak Openings Metropark is the best local place I know of. While it's a Metropark, it is very nice with 100+ miles of trail. There is an organization camp on the premises and a lodge. I don't know about public use of the organization camp. Oak Openings is connected by trail to the Maumee State Forest. There is, apparently, a private campground near the Maumee SF.

If you like marsh - who doesn't?:) - you have some public lands along Lake Erie. Erie State Game Area is just north into Michigan. You have to wade from island to island, but you can backpack on the Woodtick Peninsula during the fall, winter and spring. It's about 4 miles out to the farthest island.

Ottawa NWR has some trail. So does Maumee Bay SP. Crane Creek SP, Cawtawba Island SP and other pieces of public marsh also have trails. I don't think that any have backpacking.

To the south of Toledo, you have towpath trails. There are a series of Metroparks and public towpath that could make for an overnighter. Mary Jane Thurston has a developed camp and a section of "backpackable" game area on the north side of the Maumee.

Lake La Su An state fish and wildlife area - near the Indiana border - has some good dayhike trail.

The Cuyahoga Valley NP is pretty nice. They have a hostel half way on the trail that could make for an overnight. The terrain is pretty rugged with some nice waterfalls.

Of course, the Lake Erie Islands are fun. On of the best places to camp in the region is the west-facing campground on Put-in-Bay Island. Sunsets into Lake Erie.

There is a public railbed running for 47 miles from south of the Toledo, through Oak Openings to almost the Indiana border.

Mohican SF is a good place to hike with great terrain and some camping. The Hocking Hills are is nice close in as well.

Eastern Indiana has Pokagan SP, good for dayhiking. And the Pigeon River SFWA has some horse trails and about 10,000 acres.

But, the best hiking is north of the border in Michigan. There are no mountains - just more coastline than the eastern seaboard.”

“Don't forget Zaleski and Shawnee SF!!!”

“www.buckeyetrail.org your welcome.”

“Wasn't Klinger from Toledo? %^ )”