Shawnee State Forest

Hike Name: Shawnee State Forest Location: south OH Length: 24 Submitted by: Jim Wallace Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Ohio trail reviews Ohio national parks Ohio state parks
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Description
Shawnee has changed a lot in the last two years as a result of the February 2003 icestorm. Some of the changes have made it easier for backpackers. I routinely carried a machete with me to deal with the many overgrown sections of the trail, but on a mid-July 2005 trip, I didn't need it. Forest employees have brushcut the entire length of the north and south loops. Even the Wilderness Side Trail, which looked nearly impassable last year, has been cleared in several sections.
I took the south loop from the trailhead to Camp 6, about 9.5 miles. The following day I took the Wilderness Side Trail from Camp 6 to Upper Twin Creek road and roadwalked a couple of miles north until the road again crossed the Wilderness Side Trail. I then took the Side Trail back to the main south loop trail, and from there back to the trailhead. Second day distance was about 14 miles.
Shawnee is the most challenging backpacking I have found in Ohio, with plenty of climbs and descents. Parts of the trail were bulldozed after the ice storm to clear the downed trees, and the bulldozed sections are not particularly enjoyable. White oaks have been hard hit by disease, and many stands of them have been wiped out. The trail seems lightly used - I didn't see another hiker. Views from the trail are few, but the adjoining ridgelines are an impressive sight when you can see them. Blackberries are plentiful and ripening this time of year.

Directions to Hike
From Portsmouth OH - U.S. 52 West to State Route 125 to Lodge Entrance. Trailhead parking on right after turn to lodge.

Contact Information
ODNR - District 6 Forestry
13291 U.S. Highway 52
West Portsmouth OH 45663-8906
(740)858-6685

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