The scenic southern and southeastern regions of the state are home to most of the overnight hiking opportunities in Ohio. This part of the Buckeye State lies in the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau, a physiographic region uplifted millions of years ago by the same forces responsible for pushing upward the Appalachian Mountains, just a mere 60 miles to the east of Ohio's eastern border. Over the millennia, streams and rivers cut into this plateau and carved the hilly landscape we see today. Except in fertile river bottoms, the thin soils and rocky slopes characterizing much of this ancient landscape are not able to sustain agriculture activity, leaving a region of forested hills.

Though not as dramatic as the Appalachians, terrain relief (the elevation change between a valley floor and an adjacent high point) in Ohio does reach nearly 800' in eastern Adams County between the valley of Ohio Brush Creek and the top of Greenbrier Ridge, but averages between 300' - 400' over most of Ohio hill country. With a few exceptions, this is also the maximum relief any backpacker in Ohio will have to worry about overcoming on a single uphill climb. Well within the capabilities of any average weekend warrior.

Not much time has to be spent on Ohio's backpack trails to realize, at a glance, that any one trail resembles all of the others: a thread of a well-worn path winding over forest-covered hills. Except for sections of lakeside walking on trails at Lake Vesuvius and Burr Oak, for example, plan on hiking among the trees. This is not an entirely bad thing though, as there are many wonderful sections of footpath snaking through beautiful Ohio deciduous forests. The effect of all these trees, however, is the limited number of far-reaching vistas to be found on Ohio's backpack trails.

The forests in Ohio hill country are dominated by upland mixed oaks on south- and southwest facing slopes and sandy ridges and oak-hickory communities on lower hills. Native pines occasionally grow in mixed oak forests on dry, rocky bluffs and ridges. Large groves of pines visited on the trail are most likely not natural. Mixed mesophytic forests occupy the more temperate north- and east-facing slopes and better-drained bottomlands. These forests include tuliptree, maple, ash, cherry, walnut, basswood, beech and oak. Wetter bottomlands are home to willow and sycamore. Cooler ravines and steep, north- facing slopes are home to hemlock. Campsite 6 along the Shawnee Backpack Trail, one of Ohio's most remote camps, is located in a picturesque stand of hemlocks at the confluence East Fork and Bald Knob Runs.

Gone are the days when wolves, mountain lions, elk and buffalo inhabited Ohio's forests. Hikers today are more likely to see white-tailed dear, wild turkey, fox, beaver, raccoons and a host of smaller woodland residents like squirrels and chipmunks. Black bears are again walking in Ohio forests. State wildlife officials estimate the bear population to be around 100, with the heaviest concentration in northeastern Ohio and smaller numbers in eastern and southern areas. Females with cubs have been reported, indicating Ohio bears are breeding. It is unlikely you will sight a bear while on the trail, but if you do, consider yourself quite lucky, and perhaps inform a state wildlife official.

Ohio is home to three venomous snake species, two of which Ohio backpackers should familiarize themselves with: Northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake. The third, the Eastern massasauga, is found mainly in northern and western Ohio. On the trail, an encounter with either viper is unlikely. The copperhead is the state's most numerous and frequently encountered venomous snake. It is typically nonagressive and will only take a defensive posture when directly threatened. Bites are painful and can cause illness, but rarely results in death. Timber rattlesnakes are an Ohio endangered species. Like the copperhead, until directly threatened they remain mild in disposition. Their bite is more serious but again rarely results in death. Both species are found in rocky crevices. Copperheads are the more likely of the two to be found inhabiting moist areas, woodpiles or old buildings. Both snakes hibernate in the winter. Treating snakebites is covered in the First Aid section.

Hidden below a diverse canopy of trees amid the seemingly repeating landscape lies the secret to enjoying backpacking in Ohio. The path hiked will take you on a journey through rich plant communities, alongside, and even through, gurgling streams, into steep-sided hollows then onto narrow ridge tops, past intriguing rock outcroppings, and even one natural arch. You'll walk on old roads, through old homesteads and past relics of man's impact on the land. Along the way you will stop to immerse yourself in the solitude, revel in the fact of being the only person within a mile radius and stop to listen to the sounds of nature. Your heart will jump when a startled deer startles you, when your presence rouses a turkey flock or a mysterious noise is heard on the trail ahead. Enjoy the hike!

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