SCIOTO SATURDAYS: HIKE #3a (Pt 19 -14)(7.8 miles)(971' Ascent)

Whether you're chasing crisp autumn air, winter serenity, or springtime blooms, each hike offers a new chapter in this epic seasonal saga. It’s not just a walk in the woods—it’s a monthly pilgrimage for trail lovers, nature seekers, and adventure junkies alike.

Challenge yourself. Connect with nature. Be part of the "move"-ment.

🥾Every step tells a story with SCIOTO SATURDAYS! 🥾

From advanced hikers to novice beginners, we are including all levels of ability!

Join us for a series of 6 longer (or 10 shorter) separate Day Hikes as we conquer the 60.7 miles of rolling hills of the Scioto Trail section on the legendary Buckeye Trail. Of these miles, 38.4 are off-road. The Scioto Trail Section traverses portions of Vinton, Hocking, Ross and Pike counties. This section includes some of the legendary foothills of the Appalachians - beautiful southern Ohio hill country. The trail ends up only about 100 ft higher than it starts although it undulates over some 11,200 ft. The BT passes through three state forests - Tar Hollow, Scioto Trail, and Pike State Forests - where the trail is either off-road or on state forest access roads.

✨ Will this be your first step on Ohio’s iconic Buckeye Trail? 🏅 Your first 50 miles crushed? 🎯 Your first section completed? An additional one finished? Or maybe you just enjoy a good hike. Whatever your reason, if you complete the entire section with us, oh, the rewards you will reap, including pride and accomplishment!

🔥 Six hikes. (Or ten shorter hikes.) One epic journey. Are you in?

FALL INTO SPRING ON THE BT: SCIOTO SATURDAYS: Hike#3 Scioto Trail Pt20 to Pt 14 (9.4 miles) (1,335 ft Ascent)

Hike #3 (Long Hike) will meet at Scioto Trail Pt 14 (Bottom of Hang Glide Hill) NO LATER than 8:30a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2025. (Best practice is to try to arrive at 8:15.) We will then shuttle in as few cars as possible to our hike start at Scioto Trail Point 20 (Forestry Headquarters Parking Area.)

We will leave PROMPTLY at 8:30 am to shuttle to our Hike Start location!

Novice/Beginner Hikers (or those short on time), we are offering short hike options:

Hike #3a (on Saturday, Feb 28th) will be from Pt 19 to Pt 14 (7.8 miles) (971 ft Ascent)

Hike #3a will also meet at Scioto Trail Pt 14 (Bottom of Hang Glide Hill) NO LATER than 8:30a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2025. (Best practice is to try to arrive at 8:15.) We will then shuttle in as few cars as possible to our hike start at Scioto Trail Point 19 (Scioto Trail State Forest Cemetery Trailhead.)

We will leave PROMPTLY at 8:30 am to shuttle to our Hike Start locations!

Both the LONG and SHORT hikes will meet at the same location this time, but then will shuttle to and start at different locations. Since the LONG hike group is the faster group, they may catch up to the shorter hike group so we will all be hiking togther at some point. Both the long and short hikes will end at Pt 14.

There will be two different hike leaders. Jeff Yoest, the Scioto Section Supervisor of the BTA will lead the longer/faster hike, and Cindy, the Central Ohio Chapter Chair will lead the shorter hike, which will be a more moderate to easy pace. We may or may not have a sweep on this hike, so know your limits and join the appropriate hike for your abilities. Scioto Trail is a strenuous section of the Buckeye Trail (I know, this is my 2nd time hiking it!) If you know you are slower, make sure someone in your group has a car parked at the end so you can finish up your hike at your own pace.

For the shorter hike that I will be leading, I hike no faster than around a 3.0 pace on roads, and a 1.5 to 2.5 pace on trails, depending on the total ascent. Jeff may lead at a slightly faster pace as his hike is longer, and being February, we don't want to run out of sunlight!

These two differently paced hikes and hike lengths allow for every hiking level from Beginner to Advanced. This is the chance for all levels to experience the Buckeye Trail!

LONG (AND SHORT) HIKE MEETING POINT: Scioto Trail Point 14

Bottom of Hang Glide Hill

33003 Old Rte 35

Chillicothe, OH 45601

Use these coordinates to make sure you are at the correct location:

39.21751, -82.8446

LONG HIKE STARTING POINT: Scioto Trail Point 20

Scioto Trail Forestry Headquarters Parking Area

701 Stoney Creek Rd

Chillicothe, OH 45601

Use these coordinates: 39.22487, -82.94495

SHORT HIKE STARTING POINT: Scioto Trail Point 19

Scioto Trail Cemetery Trailhead

Turn onto N Ridge Rd at Intersection of N Ridge Rd & Stoney Creek Rd

Then go .2 of a mile on N Ridge Rd

Chillicothe, OH 45601

Use these coordinates to make sure you are at the correct location:

39.22643, -82.92657

*****ALL ATTENDEES MUST READ the BTA LIABILITY WAIVER !*****

By joining this hike, you are agreeing to release the Buckeye Trail Association and hike leaders from any and all Liability.

• All Scioto Saturday hikes will be scheduled for the fourth Saturday of every month, except where otherwise noted.
• All events are free. Please sign up on Eventbrite (click Get Tickets, select the number of people attending, and then click Register.) Look for details of the meeting place here. If you are unable to attend, please withdraw your name on Eventbrite so we know we don’t need to look for you.
• Meeting times will be 8:30 am each hike. We will meet at the endpoint, then take as few cars as possible to the start point. We will hike back to the endpoint, and the people who left cars there will shuttle the others back to their cars. Best practice is to take your turn shuttling. If you don’t have to shuttle on one hike, please volunteer on the next one.
• Be prompt. We will leave the parking area for the start point at 8:30. If you are running a few minutes late, please call me at (614) 949-4722. If you are more than a few minutes late, drive to the start point to park and be prepared to catch up to the group on your own.
• We will hike rain or shine, but not in dangerous weather. Please check your email the morning of every hike for last minute details or cancellations.
• Please bring 2-3 liters of water, in addition to a lunch or snacks that you normally eat on trail.
• We all hike at different paces. Please don't feel like you have to wait for me if you are faster or keep up with me if you are slower. We all have to meet at the endpoint to shuttle back to the cars anyway, so hike your own hike.

• Most of the main hikes are around 10ish miles. If you choose, you may opt for the shorter hikes, which will take 10 hikes instead of 6 to complete the entire Scioto section, so will include some additional days separate from the main hike days.
• By attending a hike, you recognize and agree that you are responsible for your own welfare. I have no medical or emergency training and am only making the arrangements for the group. Know your abilities and hike at your own risk.

Liability: Read the BTA Liability Waiver !

If you have any questions, please email Q2VudHJhbE9oaW8gfCBCdWNrZXllVHJhaWwgISBvcmc=

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Chillicothe, Meetups in Chillicothe, Contests in Chillicothe.