HICKORY CREEK WILDERNESS TH

The Hickory Creek Wilderness is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Hickory Creek was designated as Wilderness on October 30, 1984 and contains 9,337 acres of gentle to moderate terrain. Two major creeks also run through the area, East Hickory and Middle Hickory Creek. Much of the area is heavily forested, primarily with northern hardwoods such as black cherry, oak, beech, birch and hemlock. Bear, deer and turkey are common wildlife in the area. Topography ranges from 1,273 feet, where East Hickory Creek exits the wilderness, to 1,900 feet on the plateau. There are no particularly steep slopes. The Hickory Creek Trail, which runs through the wilderness, is minimally signed and maintained. The rolling 12-mile loop is an easy day-hike or can become an overnight backpacking trip. The only trailhead is along State Route 2002 and the trail is marked infrequently with faded yellow or white blazes painted onto trees.