Wayne National Forest- Archers Fork Loop Trail

Archers Fork Trail in Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio is a beautiful and diverse loop trail. The basic loop is almost 16 miles; however, other sections of the trail can be intersected to make a 30+ mile trail loop if desired. Dispersed camping is allowed, which needless to say, is a backpacker's dream! It is known as a moderate-level trail, but in my opinion, it is a little above moderate and not to be taken lightly. Multiple stream and creek crossings are to be expected, and if water levels are high, extreme caution is needed. There are plenty of water sources; however, it is not recommended by the park to utilize the water even with filters due to contamination from mines in the area.

Dispersed camping- In a nutshell, you can camp wherever you like. But there are a lot of already established sites that everyone uses with fire pits and normally logs to sit at. Beautiful diverse trails- You get a little bit of everything on this loop. From cliff faces and high walls to scenic flower fields. Awesome rock outcroppings, caves, and high walls. You're in it- Deep enough into the wilderness, no city sounds and only nature. Occasionally, you may hear an ATV or car from one of the few back roads, but for the most part, just nature. Well-kept- Trail maintenance is done very well! We may have had to climb over or around two trees the entire trail, with many that were cut through already. No major washouts to think of.

The BAD - this trail does have some minuses to it. It’s labeled as a moderate trail in difficulty. I must say it's a little harder than that. Many sections of the trail have areas that are covered in rocks, which could easily lead to ankle injuries. Also, many sections are very narrow and run along the tops of very steep high walls with significant drops.  Water crossings are expected along the trail, and during the dry season, there are no worries. However, during flood stages or a very rainy season, it could cause some sketchy crossing scenarios with fast moving and deep areas. Also, from sections 4.75 to about 7 miles, there really are no good spots to set up camp or at least pre-existing camp sites. If hammock camping, you could get by, but don’t expect a flat area for a tent.  The elevation gains are serious: very long hills from start to stop going clockwise. We registered the equivalent of roughly 600 floors climbed. It’s about 2400 ft of elevation gain.  You must pack in your water! The park tells you not to drink the water at Wayne National Forest, even if boiling and filtering. Mine contamination is present in the water. So, pack in or water drop at one of the couple of road crossings along the route.  The trailhead is nothing to be impressed by. It gets very packed, and there is not a lot of room for parking, so expect awkward parking spots.

In conclusion, the Archers Fork Loop Trail is a great trail, and I highly recommend it. Just know your limits. If you have weak ankles or are not in the greatest health, be careful as this trail may pose a bit of a challenge. I wouldn't recommend it for small children due to the potential danger of the high walls. Additionally, I wouldn't enjoy having a pet with me on this trail; although I did see many dog companions, it's not something I would want to deal with mainly for their safety.  In a nutshell, proper planning with gear, water drops, and bug prevention is essential. This trip will become a favorite of yours for many years to come. I highly recommend putting it on your 'to-do' list.