Wayne National Forest
It is the only national forest in Ohio and is clustered in three areas along the Appalachian Mountains and the Ohio River. The southern cluster is primarily located in Lawrence County and spans from Portsmouth to Gallipolis and along the northern banks of the Ohio River. The northwestern cluster primarily spreads across Athens, Hocking and Perry Counties and includes Athens on its southern end. The northeastern cluster is located in Washington and Monroe Counties running from Marietta northeast along the Ohio River.
The grounds include many areas that were strip mined in the late 1800s. Accordingly, the forest includes areas experiencing various degrees of reforestation.
The forest is nestled in rugged foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range, north of the Ohio River Valley.
Flora and fauna
The Wayne National Forest boasts more than 2,000 species of plants, including hardwoods, pine and cedar as well as an endangered species, running buffalo clover. Wildlife includes bobcats, coyotes, eagles, hawks, osprey, wild turkey, turkey-vultures and songbirds as well as deer and beaver. Among Bigfoot researchers, the rugged forested hills are suspected to harbor a sizable Bigfoot population.
The climate changes considerably throughout the course of the year. In the winter months it is on average around 30 Degree's during the day time and can dip in lower teens at night. In the summer the day time temperature ranges on average from about 77 to 90, night time temperature are in mid 60's. the fall and spring have very mild weather. The rainiest months is normally April and May.
The forest includes 300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback and ATVs.
Much of this area is not served by cell phone towers and you will have no communications. The area is popular with hunters and all terrain vehicle (ATV) users. Rumor has it that the area is also popular with marijuana growers, in and out of the Wayne National Forest. If you come upon a patch, change direction and move on slowly while looking for man-traps. Don't even think about getting close enough to pick any. You may be being video taped by law enforcement, or worse. -
Exercise ordinary caution as in any outdoor activity.