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Wayne National Forest - Archers Fork Trail
BackpackOhio.com status: Mapped and documented for eTrailsOhio County: Washington Nearest town: Marietta Total distance: 9.2-mile loop Hiking time: Approximately 4 to 6 hours, or 2 days for overnight Trail conditions: Well established Blazes: White diamond with a blue disc in the middle Water: No potable water available along trail; water drawn from Archers Fork, Jackson Run, Irish Run or feeder streams must be treated or filtered first Highlights: Seclusion, spring wildflowers, wildlife, Irish Run Natural Bridge and other rock outcroppings Maps: USGS 7.5': Rinard Mills & Raven Rock; Wayne National Forest Hiking and Backpacking Trails map; eTrailsOhio Contact info: Wayne National Forest - Marietta Unit, phone: 740-373-9055 Internet: www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/ Getting there: Take State Route 26 northeast from Marietta, Ohio for 25 miles to State Route 260 and turn right. Travel 2.9 miles on SR 260 and turn right on Shay Ridge Road (T-34). In 1.4 miles turn left on a gravel road marked by a North Country Trail Parking sign. Travel this road a short distance and park in front of the cemetery. Do not attempt to drive past the cemetery. Trailhead coordinates: 39.5239°N, 81.1806°W (WGS84); UTM 17 484464E 4374712N (NAD27); UTM 17 484478E 4374929N (NAD83) Background The Archers Fork Backpack Trail is located in far southeastern Ohio in the heavily forested and sparsely populated northeast corner of Washington County, which is part of the Marietta Management Unit of Wayne National Forest. Archers Fork is farther from any major metropolitan area than any other trail in the state. Getting to the trailhead may not be as convenient as some other Ohio hikes, but to experience this trail in hardcore Appalachian Ohio is worth the trip. Walking the Archers Fork Trail is a glimpse into the natural, mineral and human history defining this region. The name Archers Fork is both the name of a stream draining the area and a very small community about a mile south of where the trail crosses the stream. Archers Fork (the stream) empties into the Little Muskingum River and forms at the confluence of two smaller streams: Irish Run and Jackson Run, which lie at the center of the trail's loop. The Macksburg oil and gas field underlies this entire region, so expect to see results of active and historic exploitations of these resources. Archers Fork offers more than just a hike through a forest of trees. Along the way you will see many rock formations in the form of caves, cliffs, overhang shelters and even a natural arch. The Irish Run Natural Bridge, although technically just an arch as there isn't or hasn't been a presence of water under it, is located near the trail and worth a few minutes of your time to explore. A larger cave, named the Great Cave on trail signage, is located just off the trail near the St. Patrick's Cemetery trailhead. The rocky ridges in this area attain an average elevation relief of approximately 350 feet. Although not old growth by any means, the forests in this part of the Wayne are still stately with oak and hickory forests dominating upland areas. A mixed forest type of cherry, tuliptree, walnut and ash can be found on many slopes. Sycamore and beech are found in wetter bottomlands. This middle-aged forest is home to an abundant variety or bird and mammal life. As the sun fades, it's not uncommon to hear a pair of noisy owls or the call of the whip-poor-will. Coyotes roam these hills and their howls are often heard at dusk as well. It's not out of the question that a black bear could be spotted passing through the area as they are known to populate this part of the state. This is also copperhead and timber rattlesnake country, so a little extra caution should be exercised in warmer months. Of course, deer and turkey are well represented here as well. The Trail A hike on the 9.2-mile Archers Fork Trail loop starts at a small parking area in front of St. Patrick's Cemetery. You'll walk about 0.1 mile down an old township road heading downhill past the cemetery before actually starting on the official trail. White diamonds with a blue disc somewhat sparingly mark the main trail, and, unfortunately, mark side trails. Since the western half of the Archers Fork loop is shared with the North Country Trail, you'll also see blue diamonds marking that trail. Due to a history of oil and gas development in the area, expect to sporadically encounter old oil and gas wells (some still operational) and old steel and plastic pipelines (some leaking) lying on top of the ground and across the trail. Since this is Wayne National Forest, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. There are no WNF established camps on the trail, or any one well-worn area that appears to have gained preference over others. There are several spots in three consecutive hollows (shown on the map) near the 5.0-mile point that would make pleasant campsites. These areas are flat and provide the option to treat water from the streams flowing in these hollows, or from nearby Jackson Run. If treating water trailside is not an option for you, then your potable drinking water will have to be carried in. Caching water, or even equipment, is a possibility near these campsites along a gravel road that travels through the valley of Jackson Run, but your trip to here and then back to the trailhead would greatly delay your start.
The complete trail report, trail notes and trail maps for the Archers Fork Trail
are available as a 6-page downloadable eTrailsOhio PDF file for $4.95.
We are the only ones to cover the Archers Fork Trail in so much detail - GUARANTEED!
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