Gone Hikin': Wayne National Forest, OH - Lamping Homestead Recreation Area

ABOUT THE PARK:

Lamping Homestead Recreation Area - US Department of Agriculture

Lamping Homestead in Monroe County is one of Ohio’s most isolated, wild hikes - Akron Beacon Journal (excellent article that perfectly describes this hike)

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 39.63068, -81.19005

Lamping Homestead Parking - I was the only hiker. One was fishing and the other was camping.

TRAIL MAP:

Wayne National Forest Marietta Unit Map - US Department of Agriculture

HIKE DISTANCE: 4.8 miles

THE HIKE:

This hike has been on my list for many years but it was too short so I kept passing it over. For this trip, however, with limited time due to the weather, the distance was perfect. This hike was just under an hour away from the hotel so I was able to start at the crack of dawn and get the hike in before heat, humidity and thunderstorms arrived. So glad I finally made it because it was a very scenic hike very much worth doing.

Facing the pond the trail starts to the far left at the gate. It's takes a bit of looking around from the parking lot to find it.

You don't see this sign until you are right up on it.

The app lit up with bird activity right off the bat. I will list them all at the end.

I find this sign to be very confusing - even most so when I saw the sign at the other end of the loop. Is it closed to everyone from 12/15 - 4/15? Is it closed to those listed always? Are hikers always welcome? Confused... At least it was 4/18 so I was good either way.

A view of the pond from the trail.

Lots of sharp turns as the trail follows the contour of the many gullies.

Blue is the North Country National Scenic Trail; yellow is the Lamping Homestead Loop.

A white trail shortcuts the loop to 1.5 miles but heck no, we are doing the whole thing!

Here the North Country Scenic Trail splits off to the left. I went that way for a bit to check it out and add a little mileage since we were able to start so early.

Presumably for those thru hiking the North Country Trail.

At this gravel road the trail turns left parallel to the road; we turned back at this point.

Back at that intersection, continuing on the Lamping Homestead Loop.

Another confusing sign. I knew we have more than 1/4 of a mile to the end so what did that mean? Even more confusing when I saw the next sign.

OK, so now it is 1/2 mile to the end? The distance gets longer? Maybe those posts mean something else but I haven't a clue what it could be.

The other side of the shortcut trail comes in.

Caught a bit of a female Eastern Towhee on that trail.

So here is the sign at the other end with different dates, stating mountain bikes are not allowed but the image below the sign says mountain bikes are allowed? Still confused.