Fall into Spring on the BT: SCIOTO SATURDAYS: HIKE #1b (Pt 6-4) (5.3 miles)

THIS IS HIKE #1b in the Hike Series, and is not for anyone who completes the 10 mile main hike #1 on November 22nd. Instead, this is for anyone who completed the 4.6 mile shorter hike #1a on that day. And, of course, it is for anyone else who just wants to hike.

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 hikes.) One epic journey. Are you in?

FALL INTO SPRING ON THE BT: SCIOTO SATURDAYS: Hike #1b (December 13th) will be from Pt 6 to Pt 4 (5.3 miles) (607 ft Ascent)

Meet at Scioto Trail Point 4 (Tar Hollow State Forest FIRE TOWER PICNIC AREA) NO LATER than 9:00a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. (Best practice is to try to arrive at 8:45.) We will then shuttle in as few cars as possible to our hike start at Scioto Trail Point 6 (Sugar Run Tar Hollow Parking Area.)

We will leave PROMPTLY at 9:00 am to shuttle to our Hike Start location!

The hike will start at the parking area at Sugar Run Tar Hollow Parking Area at Point 6. We will follow the Blue Blazes, hiking to the parking at the Tar Hollow Fire Tower Picnic Area at Point 4.

This shorter hike will be approximately 5.3 miles, with Total Ascent of 607 ft and Total Descent of 584 ft. Most of this hike is on state forest backroads, with some on forest trail.

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.

The shorter hikes will move at a slower pace to allow for every hiking level from Beginner to Advanced! This is the chance for all levels to experience the Buckeye Trail!

Meeting Point: Scioto Trail Point 4

Tar Hollow Fire Tower (aka Brush Ridge Lookout Tower)

on South Ridge Road, Chillicothe, OH45601

Use these coordinates to make sure you get to the correct location: 39.37498, -82.7626

Directions:

(From the North, take Route 56, to 180 south, to Route 327 south from Adelphi. Make a right on Bull Creek Rd, and a quick left on N. Ridge Rd. Continue straight on windy N. Ridge Rd until it turns into S. Ridge Rd. Continue on until you come to the Fire Tower area.)

(From the South (Route 23 or Chillicothe area), take Route 50 east, then 327 north to where you will turn left onto Clark Hollow Rd (which is Park Rd 2.) Turn right on S. Ridge Rd, heading north until you reach the Fire Tower area.)

Hike Start: Scioto Trail Point 6

ODNR Sugar Run Tar Hollow Parking Area

Londonderry, OH 45647

Use these coordinates: 39.330714, -82.798009

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

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 here!

If you have any questions, please email CentralOhio@BuckeyeTrail.org