Trip Details

Trail Leader: Katie Lake

Date: Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26

Location: Wildcat Hollow trail in Wayne National Forest, County Road 58, Glouster, Ohio 45732, or GPS coordinates 39.5740114,-82.0663771

Map: View in Google

Level of difficulty: Beginner

Cost: $87.50 deposit, $175 total + gear rental

Spots available: 6. If you and a friend are signing up and plan to share a tent, please specify.  

Meals

• Hikers must provide their own meals, drinks, and snacks.  

Water:

• **IMPORTANT** Wildcat Hollow has no potable water; each hiker must carry 3+ liters of water for the two-day trip. Enough for drinking (1 liter per day) and enough water to prepare meals and drinks for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.  It is essential to hydrate with electrolytes.  Each hiker should bring 1-2 packets per day.  Make sure to reserve 1 liter of free of electrolytes for meal and drink preparations.

Notes:

• 5-mile loop, 344 feet of elevation, with most of the elevation gain on day one.
• This trail has a few water crossings. Bring Crocs, water shoes, or a sandal with a heel strap for water crossings and for use at camp.
• Consider bring a book or journal, lots of down time
• This trail has some cell service in places, but do not rely on service.  Download or print the map directions to the route.
• Let your family/friends know your plans and that you might not have cell service for a while over the weekend.  Your guide will have a satellite communicator in case of an emergency.
• See FAQ list for what to pack.

Rentals:

Rental equipment is available at set rates.

• Backpack $30 – add
• Sleeping bag $30 – add
• Sleeping pad $30 – add
• 1-person tent $30 – add
• 2-person tent $50, –add
  Please specify who you’re sharing with
• Inflatable pillow $10 – add
• Headlamp $10 – add
• Trekking poles $10 – add
• Camp mug, long handled spork, and shared use of cookpot, stove and fuel $15 – add

Equipment is best rented as a unit as it is important to have lightweight backpacking gear.  This applies especially to the tent and sleeping bag.  Please email with your gear specifications if you plan to use your own gear and have yet to backpack with it. The goal is that all hikers are able to carry the weight of their packs comfortably and to fit all gear. The weight and pack size of all gear should be taken into consideration before hitting the trail. Please practice packing all your items including food, water, and extra clothing, if you plan to use your own gear. 

Itinerary:

SATURDAY

• 1:00 pm: Meet at Trailhead
• We’ll discuss the itinerary for the next two days, check all gear, water, food, and load backpacks comfortably. Emergency contact forms and medical information forms will be collected before we begin hiking.
• 2:00 pm prompt: We will start hiking 
• We will hike in on Saturday, 2 to 4 miles, to find an available campsite for our group. Approximate hiking time is 1-2 hours on Saturday.
•  Set up camp, collect and process wood to make a fire if the weather permits, and cook dinner. After dinner, we will learn how to properly hang or store all food and scented goods.
• 8:16 pm Sunset; all camp chores should be completed by this time.  Enjoy time together around the fire.  
• 10:00 pm: Quiet time begins

SUNDAY

• 6:36 am Sunrise
• 7:00-7:30: Hikers should start waking. Food will be retrieved from overnight storage, and hikers will prepare their breakfast, coffee, or tea. The fire will be lit to enjoy breakfast and conversation around if the weather and time permit.  
• After breakfast, hikers will begin tearing down camp and packing up gear.  The fire will be completely extinguished, and the camp will be cleared of gear and debris.  
• 10 am: Goal for being packed up and ready to hit the trail on Sunday morning.  We will complete the remaining miles of the short loop and finish at the parking lot. 
• 12:00 pm: Approximate completion time.
• Rented gear will be collected.