Zaleski State Forest

“I see another trip to the Big Z, a group of us went down there about the same time last year and had a fun time.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1109.php

If any of you are interested, I'm trying to organize a trek to Shawnee State Forest in Southern Ohio on the last weekend of October. See the "Trips" section for more details.

-Fulcrum”

“I wish I could go, but the family has plans. One of these days I'm going to make it to a trip in the Big Z.”

“Fulcrum,

I'm taking two of my kids backpacking around the day loop of Zaleski Nov 3-4. I'm planning on camping at D Saturday night, and hiking back to the trailhead on Sunday.

It's unfortunate that I can't make your Shawnee trip. Would have loved to see Copperhead Lookout Tower once again.”

“Great trip and good trails especially if you are new to hiking. Now, if you have someone who bothers you to take them hiking and no you never want them to go again, take them to Shawnee. A whole lot of PUD's, ankle twister rocks, and trails created before the invention of the switch back.”

“berniedawg wrote: 'Now, if you have someone who bothers you to take them hiking and no you never want them to go again, take them to Shawnee.'

I experienced that this year. I took my dad to Shawnee in July, and now he doesn't want to go backpacking with me again.”

“I did a section of the Southern Loop @ Shawnee last year (From the Log Cabin CCC Camp to Campsite 5) and I didn't think it was too bad till the last half-mile to the campsite..it was rough. Camp 5 did have some nice views of the surrounding hills & valleys as a benefit. I was interested in trying the dayhike portion of the trail, making my way over to camp 3, for I heard that it is mostly ridge hiking.

Berniedawg: When do you want to go back to Vesuvius?

-Fulcrum”

“Fulcrum,
Probably out on Vesuvius this year. I might suggest camping at D saturday night, better site than C (less used). I should be able to make this one unless something pops up.”

“Football is over and I am at last free to roam the hills again! If I head down this weekend, my son will be coming”

“Boys ( and girls), this looks like a great hike, and you KNOW I'd be on this faster than Salem can say" please pass the Spotted Dick", but the timing won't work for me, so I miss another one. Oh well, have fun & miss me.”

“Golf,
Skip the running. What fun is that? I mean you can't really enjoy a batch of mother's milk and a fine stogie at the end of that. Screw a space blanket and a power bar! ;-)

Timmie G, I need to get your solo tent back to you. I have become a strict tarp man!”

“Hey Golf,

You have to quit bringing stuff like that up. You'll scare people away. :-) Sorry, you can't make it.”

“I'm in for this trip. I can't meet up at 10 Friday morning though. I'll have to work so I won't be leaving Cincy til around 5:30 pm.

I'd say I can be in Camp H around 9:30-10:00ish.”

“ductape,

Glad to have you on board. We'll look for ya Friday night.”

“BD: Those are certainly kind words Berniedawg... Let me consider giving up a year's worth of training to be with you in the forest for a weekend. Maybe not this time, so have a great hike without me! Truth is, I'll be on a short golf trip following the marathon, so I'm gonna be happy one way or another. Talk later.
last edited: 10/26/07 6:56:04 AM”

“I thought I would give everyone a heads up. The army is training in parts of Zaleski SF. I called the forest office this morning to check on conditions for backpacking this weekend (11/2-4) with my son, and they said an Army unit (about 20 people) would be using Campground D.

They didn't have exclusive access to the campsite, so my son and I will still be able to camp there this weekend. The ranger told me that the unit will have their rifles, but wouldn't have live ammo.

We'll see how it goes...”

“You should walk in with the biggest gun you own and some fake dynamite strapped to your chest and tell them to run, that this is part of their terrorist training, then have your son pull out a pistol to put the icing on the cake.”

“I would yell some Allah-Akhbar! for effect.

No kidding, Al-Qaeda folks from Vinton County can be something fierce.”

“Al Qaeda Y'all!”

“Fulcrum, after you. That would probably lead to a couple rifle butts to the side of the head.”

“I'm out for this and all other trips I have planned in the near future. I wish it didn't have to be this way.”

“I'm a maybe for this trip.”

“everything ok ducktape?”

“My son and I backpacked the southern loop this past weekend. All the parking spaces were full at the trail head parking lot, and there were a lot of people on the trail. We hiked 6.1m to D where we were greeted by 6-8 army humvees and about 30 Army Reservists at the campsite. They were all very nice to my son and me and gave my son some of their food from their MRE. That night we could hear wolves howling in the distance. Very cool.

The best part of the hike for my son was close to the connecting day loop trail when we passed all the rock formations.

Looking back, 6 miles was a bit aggressive for my six year old. I carried his backpack along with mine for most of it. The 2nd day, however, he carried his backpack the entire 3.8m back to the trail head.

Good times. I hope you guys enjoy your hike @ Zaleski this weekend.
last edited: 11/05/07 8:05:06 AM”

“I've been battling a nasty cold all week and am doubtful on the overnight stay. Was thinking on doing the southern loop as a dayhike.

How does everyone else stand on attending this trip?”

“wolves in ohio. riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

you heard coyotes”

“not that thats not cool. hearing coyotes is always cool”

“I am out guys. Just too much going on. Sorry!”

“Looks like another trek bites the dust. This year has been difficult to organize trips, in 2006 we did the Ohio trio of Vesuvius, Wildcat Hollow, and Zaleski with good turnout. Anyone up for something in December?
last edited: 11/09/07 4:32:21 AM”

“Interesting. I was watching a documentary on wolves and they were making the same sound that we heard last weekend.

But, I'm no wolf-ologist, so I'll defer to your judgment.”

“oh no. i prostrate myself before you”

“I'd be down for something in late Jan.”

“Crash,

I did some quick reading. There are no wolves in Ohio, just wily coyotes.

Thanks for the correction...
last edited: 11/09/07 10:51:28 AM”

“Fulcrum wrote, '... In 2006 we did the Ohio trio of Vesuvius, Wildcat Hollow, and Zaleski with good turnout. Anyone up for something in December?'

Fulcrum, I'm open for some winter backpacking. And, yes, I'd like to try Vesuvius or Wildcat Hollow soon as well. In fact, I have a topo map of the Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail hanging on my office wall staring at me right now (That's my motivational poster).

If I get brave, I might even sleep under a tarp...”