The Phoenix Backpacking Club

This trip will be a bit of a challenge for beginners. The trail is rated as "Hard" at Alltrails.com: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/ohio/archers-fork-trail. There is a boots off stream crossing and a need to carry water or leave it (a water cache) to be retreived close to Saturday camp (see below).

A nice map and description are available. You can access it at https://www.dropbox.com/s/awuvqvvtmrgcmgj/TrailMap.pdf?dl=0

Friday arrival (recomended): Leave home as early as you can on Friday, after work or other activities... get to Jackson Run Trailhead (GPS coordinates: 39.51401, -81.15132) and camp overnight near that trailhead (follow trail from parking area south about a tenth of a mile). This may require setting up camp at dusk or in the dark, but we'll be not far from our vehicles. The best way to get to the Jackson Run trailhead is to take Rt 260 from either the west or east and then turn south on County Nine Rd for a bit before turning onto Jackson Run Road. Google maps may give you different directions for the last few miles, but don’t follow them.

For those who camp Friday night as above, it will be easy to cache water on Saturday morning near where we will camp Saturday night before heading to the main Archers Fork Trailhead. Intended Saturday night camp: GPS coordinates 39.50521, -81.16181. The best water cache for this campsite is along Jackson Run Rd where a forest road comes in from the south: GPS coordinates 39.50575, -81.16167. The drive to the Main Trailhead at the St. Patrick’s cemetery is about 25 minutes from there. Again, the best way to go is to retrace our route back to Rt 260.

The reason to cache water is that the forest service advises not to drink water from streams in the Wayne National Forest (due to mining activities that have taken place in or near the Forest in a number of areas). So its either cache water near our intended Saturday night camp, or carry it all with you.

Saturday: After caching our water, we will head to the main Archers Fork Trail Head at St. Patrick’s Cemetery arriving at 10:00 AM and be on the trail at 10:30 AM or sooner if everyone is there and ready. If you arrive after 10:30 you can hike to catch up and join us. On Saturday, we will hike the Yellow diamonds blazed backpacking trail counterclockwise from the Trailhead, and set up camp a bit more than halfway around the loop. The hiking distance for the day would be about 8 miles. Intended Saturday night camp: 39.50521, -81.16181. Water cache along Jackson Run Rd: 39.50575, -81.16167.

Sunday: Hike about 7.5 miles more to complete the loop and arrive back at our vehicles parked at the Main Trailhead.

Each participant agrees by signing up to be completely responsible for their own safety, nutrition, hydration, navigation, and shelter while on the trail and while traveling to and from the trail. Participants may decide to hike slower or faster than the rest of the group and take fewer or more days to complete the trail. If participants decide not to finish the hike, they will be responsible for getting back to their vehicle at the Trailhead.
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As usual, each participant needs to submit a signed Phoenix BCP Waiver Form, if you do not already have one on file with the group:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqqxdduose9y33l/Phoenix%20BPC%20Waiver.pdf?dl=0

And as always, please observe the Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles while in the woods and on the trails. Refresh yourself here:
https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles

All trails Link
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/black-forest-long-loop?u=i&sh=i5pwm2

Leann and I park at the boat access
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g2kR5nzccouHBBwLA

We plan to arrive Sunday night April 26th and camp near the start. Cross the bridge behind Hotel Manor and you should be able to find us.

Packs on at 9:00am, Monday (27th), let's meet at the Hotel Manor parking lot.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpjmytjf9LTMBuGN8

We will hike the trail clockwise. Here is a rough agenda, let's remain flexible based on weather and how good/bad we feel.

DAY 1
Up the left side of Slate Run to Foster Hollow, in an out of Little Slate Run and down to Naval Run for camp.

DAY 2
This will be a tough day starting with a steep, rocky climb to Hemlock Mountain (great views), down to Callahan Run and then a long climb up the headwall of the run. Potential camp is a pine forest at mile 21.50

DAY 3
Less climbing today since most of our time will be on the plateau. We are taking the high route to avoid 20 creek crossings and a boulder scramble. I have done both multiple times and they very low on the fun factor. I would like to camp at Slate Run to leave an 8 mile day before the long drive home.

DAY 4
Down Slate Run and back to the cars.

Additional FYI:
Please bring crocs or sandals for creek crossings, we will be getting our feet wet.

This is not a beginners trip, this might be the toughest trail in Pennsylvania.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy trails, Steve

https://www.avta-trails.org/index.php
https://www.avta-trails.org/documents/maps/AVTA-Map.pdf
https://www.traillink.com/trail/allegheny-river-trail/

Rain or Shine due to Wildcat Hollow Group Campsite Reservations.
We'll figure out how much is owed per person at the trailhead Saturday.
It's around $50 for the entire campsite.

Please bring a tent as shelter space is limited.

You can also join us for a day ride which you would have to turn around or arrange your own shuttle.

Moderate experience is required, the trail is easy. We’ll try and stick together but do what you feel like. There are no rules.
Please make sure your bike is in very good working condition.
Make sure you have a bike repair kit and are self-sufficient in it’s use.
Make sure you pack accordingly like your backpacking including water treatment. I have panniers (saddle bags) because carrying a pack on your back is not fun.
There are places we can stop for supplies and water and Oil City will be the last stop.

10AM: We’ll MEET at the trailhead in Emlenton behind the US Post Office NOT at the other trailhead. You can park at either trailhead or in Emlenton but be careful of no parking signs.
1030AM: We’ll start. If you are not there at 1030AM I'll surmise you are not coming or if you are than you'll have to catch up to the group or meet us at the Wildcat Hollow Group Campsite.

We’re in no big hurry.
We do need to have time to set-up our gear and prepare dinner.

I love this trail and so do my friends who join me. Steve has been on every one of our at least dozen rides. We ride once every Spring then once every Fall.

Points of Interest
Rockland Tunnel
Kennerdell Tunnel
Indian God Rock
Belmar Bridge
River Ridge Farm in Franklin from the EPT
Oil City
Oil Creek flows into the Allegheny River
Abundance of wildlife: Steve and I have seen many bald eagles, osprey, porcupines, foxes, turkey, deer, etc.
We should be back at the starting trailhead around 12-1PM on Sunday.
It's sort of fluid when you arrive back just load your bike and leave. Some of us may have things to do with the remainder of our Sunday.

Posted
Hopeless Wanderers
Free to Roam
Phoenix Backpacking Group