Hike, Backpack, & Winter Activities
Scroll down for listings of all upcoming Backpacking, Hiking, and other events
Monthly Hiking – The “18 Challenge”
The “18 Challenge” is a monthly series of progressively longer hikes that culminate in a challenging 18-mile hike on September 13th at Burr Oak. Most hikes are on the 2nd Saturday of the month – check the dates below carefully! Hikes begin at 9 am April-May and earlier in the subsequent hotter months.
The longer hikes later in the season will offer shorter route options. Contact the Hike Leader for details.
Register for one, or all of the hikes at any time. You’ll need to pre-register for hikes in advance to be covered by Outdoor Pursuits’ insurance coverage.
2025 Schedule
March 8th – 3 miles – High banks Metro Park – 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035
April 12th – 6 miles – A W Marion State Park Campground . 8498 Township Hwy 77, Circleville, OH 43113 – Group camp and “Backpacking 101 Clinic” too!
May 10th – 9 miles – Battelle Darby Metro Park – 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119
June 7th – 12 miles – Clifton Gorge/Glenn Helen/John Bryant – 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
July 19th – 14 miles – Mohican State Park – 3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842 – Group Camp included
August 16th – 16 miles – Zaleski – Group Camp Included at Lake Hope
September 13th – 18 miles – Burr Oak State Park – 10153 Williams-Homer Rd, Glouster, OH 45732 – Group Camp Included
** The April hike will include an overnight camping opportunity in conjuction with our “Backpacking 101 Clinic”
** The July, Aug & Sept hikes include a group camping opportunity for Friday and/or Saturday nights. We recognize these state parks require a longer drive, so COP has reserved group sites for each weekend. Enjoy the comraderie before and/or after the day’s hike!
“18 Challenge” hikes are free, but COP membership or a $20 donation is suggested to cover costs for volunteer leaders and our insurance needs. Please consider joining COP as a MEMBER. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER so there’s no delay at the start of the hike. Two Outdoor Pursuits Hiking Leaders will attend each hike. Leaders contact information can be found in the “more info” link on the registration page.
Find specific hike dates and distances and Register Here for the “18 Challenge.”
Fall 2025 Backpacking Outings
Register Here for One, Two, or all Three
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – Aug 23 (Sat) – 24 (Sun)
Backpack Trail in Zaleski State Forest Oct 3 (Fri) – 5 (Sun)
Wildcat Hollow in Wayne National Forest Nov 8 (Sat) – 9 (Sun)
Backpacking for Beginners at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – Join us for an easygoing backpacking trip at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, featuring a beautiful campsite along the Little Darby Creek. This 3-mile in, 3-mile out hike is perfect for absolute beginners, and we’ll dedicate time to covering backpacking basics. It’s also a great opportunity for experienced backpackers to do a quick gear shakedown or enjoy mid-summer fellowship with others. Participants are required to provide their gear and food.
Trip Leader: Bill Mayr E-mail: bill.mayr@me.com
Outdoor Pursuits: E-mail: events@outdoor-pursuits.org
Zaleski State Forest: Fall Backpacking Adventure – Explore the stunning fall colors of the Zaleski State Forest on the Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail, adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. This trip will cover an estimated 20-30 miles over three days, making it notably longer than our August outing. It’s designed for beginners with some foundational backpacking knowledge who have practiced hiking 5+ continuous miles with a loaded pack. Participants of the August 23-24 trip, or those with similar experience, will find this a great next-level challenge. Be prepared for colder temperatures and bring warmer gear. Participants are required to provide their gear and food.
Trip Leader: Bill Mayr E-mail: bill.mayr@me.com
Outdoor Pursuits: E-mail: events@outdoor-pursuits.org
Wayne National Forest: Wildcat Hollow 2-Day Backpack – Experience the Wildcat Hollow trail in Wayne National Forest (adjacent to Burr Oak State Park) on this 17-mile, 2-day backpacking trip. Enjoy clearer vistas through the trees as the weather turns colder and crisper. This adventure is suited for beginners who grasp backpacking fundamentals and have practiced hiking at least 5 continuous miles with a loaded pack. It’s an excellent “next step” for anyone who completed the August 23-24 trip or similar outings. Remember to pack warmer gear to handle the colder temperatures. All participants must provide their gear and food.
Trip Leader: Steven Cole E-mail: colestevend@gmail.com
Outdoor Pursuits: E-mail: events@outdoor-pursuits.org
Register Here for One, Two, or all Three
Winter Getaway – February 14-17, 2025
The longstanding tradition continues! Enjoy a long weekend of winter Nordic activities and camaraderie with friends. COP secures the entire Wilderness Lodge in Wattsburg, PA for our party. The atmosphere is cozy and perfect for a group our size! If the snow is lousy (unlikely), we hike, explore, and enjoy the “lodge experience.”
Proceeds from this gathering will support the hiking & backpacking activities of COP. This weekend also facilitates the planning of those activities for 2025.