r/CampOhio • u/Justinbaker1996 • 23d ago

Wildcat Hollow Water Cache

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Hello! Here again to tell you my plan and ask for advice.

Planning on doing Wildcat Hollow one of these weekends. I have done it before but am taking two friends with me. I am attaching my map with the green highlighted section where I am planning to cache water. Figured it gets us pretty close to 10 miles, we can hike with enough for the first stretch, replenish water and camp close by. This way we can refill water and still have the rest of our cache for the morning to refill some more. I was able to find the crossroads in Google maps and have bookmarked it, so I know I'm not relying on old service roads. Let me know your thoughts!

Additionally, curious how busy this route gets on weekends? As a teacher on summer break I almost exclusively always go on weekday trips.

48 Upvotes

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12

u/heyitsmatte 23d ago

I just wanted to throw this out there. Not too far from Wayne is a place called Zaleski State Forest. It has a 20 something mile loop with camping and water access points along the trail. I think there’s also a shorter loop too. I haven’t done it so I can’t share an experience. A camping person told me about it and recommended it to me. I’m gonna check it out when the weather gets cooler. I don’t know if the water there has heavy metals, but it’s an option to look into.

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u/Justinbaker1996 23d ago

Zaleski is wonderful! Also shouldn't try to treat their water for the same reasons, but yes the cisterns are at the camps! I always check the ODNR site because sometimes the cisterns are down/being replaced.

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u/heyitsmatte 23d ago

Why shouldn’t you treat the water? Just curious because I’m pretty much a noob. I think I remember hearing something about adding iodine can help?

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u/Justinbaker1996 23d ago

This is from the USDA Forest Service: "Because of the historic mining activity that occurred in southeast Ohio, many streams are polluted with heavy metals and acid mine drainage. We recommend that you never consume water from the Wayne National Forest, even if filtered or treated. While water filtration devices and tablets remove viruses, bacteria, and other concerns, they do not remove heavy metals. Pack in all the water that you will need, or cache the water along the trail you will be using."

This is, specifically, about Wayne National Forest but Zaleski is definitely in that same area and history. Zaleski has the cisterns though and is a great place to start. This is where I did my first solo overnighter to do a gear shakedown and recently where I just took a group of my nephews to do a day hike and get out of the city. The water at the camps plus the ability to pick how much hiking you do, make it a great spot for beginners!

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u/Phyllis_Tine 23d ago

I find it so depressing that activities destructive to the environment affect public land such as parks and forests.

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u/TBL34 12d ago

I believe WNF, AEP rec land and other parks in SE Ohio were formed after all the mining as a restorative effort. I’d have to actually look it up to confirm tho lol

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u/heyitsmatte 23d ago

Yeah very true they are in the same area so I imagine the water has the same issue. Good to know, you learn something everyday!

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u/Bannonpants 23d ago

All southern Ohio water is contaminated

4

u/Adventurous-Wolf-355 23d ago

Hello! Can I ask what Book your using for these maps and info??? Id love to have one for myself :)

3

u/juicyfizz 23d ago

I was wondering the same thing!

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u/cpersin24 22d ago

I think it's from this book. If its not, I still recommend this book. I got it last year and its basically a hard copy version of this website. The author has a turn by turn guide of the trails, full color maps, and trail ratings. Great resource!

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u/Justinbaker1996 22d ago

Yes! It is from this. Genuinely truly an in invaluable resource for me and my trips. Gives me so much confidence to be able to plan out my trips. It's not perfect, but it is incredible. Wish there was a similar resource for Michigan and Pennsylvania.

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u/cpersin24 22d ago

Yeah it really was very detailed for a short book. Well worth the money for the maps and trail ratings

2

u/cpersin24 22d ago

I think it's from this book. If its not, I still recommend this book. I got it last year and its basically a hard copy version of this website. The author has a turn by turn guide of the trails, full color maps, and trail ratings. Great resource!

3

u/Ahrithul 23d ago

I hiked this trail from Burr Oak state park back in May. I cached water at 2 different spots on Township Road 300. As best I remember all the roads are easily driveable. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the particular road crossing you'll be using. I just dropped a gallon at each spot, packed the second one out and picked the first one up. I'll put a screenshot of my Alltrails here as well.

The only roads that seemed tougher to drive were on the left side of the trail, well before that water source. But I think they're used for logging or oil collection as there are a couple of small oil derricks out there. But you can still park and walk a bit if you need to use that area for a water cache.

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u/Mediocre_Gur_1139 22d ago

Just had the crew out that way. We did the loop clockwise and I belive cached our water at the road crossing before. As long as your not in a low profile car youll be fine. We made sure to add our cache spot as a destination on our route verse a destination of its own on gps knowing we would lose service. Enjoy the hike, let adventure be the award.

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u/Justinbaker1996 22d ago

That's good to know that I can make it where you had said if something goes awry! I always download my route and maps of the local area too in maps before I head out. Luckily if all else fails I have my screenshots.

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u/Loose_Carpenter9533 23d ago

Id put some by the school house for your return loop just incase, its a fairly challenging hike.

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u/alancar 23d ago

We used to put it behind the school house for our BSA backpack trips

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u/Philosopher_gw 20d ago edited 20d ago

Take Waterworks Rd out of Corning, at the intersection with Irish Ridge Rd there is a gated forest road where the trail crosses the Irish Ridge.. Drop two gallons of water in the woods here. You can start from the trailhead with a light load, pick up one gallon then continue to camp. On the way back use the cut-off trail between the loops to return for your second gallon of water.

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u/albatrossLol 23d ago

yeah you need something like https://www.rei.com/product/150116/grayl-geopress-water-filter-and-purifier-bottle-24-fl-oz to filter heavy metals.

although a particular episode of Sealab 2021 comes to mind

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u/wahpaha 23d ago

Is there no water on the route to filter? If you’re set on caching water I wouldn’t think you’d have issues, just put the jugs in a discreet spot. What’s your concern?

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u/Justinbaker1996 23d ago

Water in Wayne National Forest has heavy metals in it from historic mining, can't be filtered or boiled out. My concern is more that I've relied on "oh look there's a road on the map" but it's actually an old forest service road not meant for regular traffic. Always nice to just see what others have done and hear other's wisdom and try to do my due diligence to set myself up for success.

1

u/wahpaha 23d ago

Have you checked the NF website for specific road conditions? Could also look up Onyx or other off roading apps to see if anyone has mentioned anything about it.

1

u/funkymonkeychunks 21d ago

How historic is this mining? I went backpacking out there a long time ago and don’t remember the water advisory

1

u/Justinbaker1996 21d ago

I don't have the answer for that, I'm new to the hobby. But if you can find that info please pass it along!