About the Trail

Wildcat Hollow backpack trail is southeast of Corning, OH near Burr Oak State Park in the Wayne National Forest. The 13 mile backpack loop has a cut across creating a 5 mile loop. The trail follows a stream bed (Eel Run), a ridge top, and the slopes in between. It follows County Road 69 for a very short distance. The cut across follows an old logging road for a distance.

The trail surface consists of pine needle covered earth, bare earth, mud, broken sandstone, and broken shale. The trail through Eel Run crosses streams several times affording many chances to cool your feet near the end of your hike. A deep (5'?) pool in one spot will let you get more than your feet wet. The northern loop is broken at one point along Township Road 114 where beavers have constructed a series of three dams. The trail passed where the lower of the three ponds is now. The best way around is to cross the lower dam. Although muddy, it is a wide, very sturdy construction. Besides, how often do get to cross a beaver dam? Near Cedar Run on the northern loop there is one section with a very steep slope with loose sandstone gravel. Shoes are not recommended here.

This is a backpack trail and camping is permitted anywhere along the trail. The best level spots are obvious and show signs of such use.

How to Get There

Corning, OH is located on State Route 13 in the southeastern corner of Perry County, about 40 miles south of Zanesville. From Columbus take I-70 east about 25 miles to State Route 13 south.

From Corning at the junction of SR 13 and SR 155 take Main Street (SR 155) east 0.4 mile to the top of the hill and bear right onto Waterworks Road (County Road 70). Continue east on Waterworks Rd. about 2 miles until it ends at Irish Ridge Road (County Road 16) and turn right (south). Follow Irish Ridge Rd. about 1.5 miles and turn left on Dew Road (County Road 69). Follow this about 1 mile until it ends at Township Road 289. Turn left and follow TWP 289 about 0.7 mile to County Road 58. Turn left on County Road 58. Follow County Road 58 about a half mile to the parking lot on the left.

Note - once outside Corning most of the road surfaces are gravel.

There is a gravel parking lot. There is no drinking water or restroom. There are camp sites at the parking lot as well as on the trail. There are a few parking spaces along TWP 114 near the beaver pond.

© 2008 by Greg Morgan. All rights reserved.
26-JAN-08