Ohio · Hiking

Backpack

10.0 mi
round trip
1,977 ft
climb
914 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Aug–Oct
best months

Is Backpack open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wayne National Forest. It doesn't name Backpack, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Wayne National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Backpack is a hard hike in the Ironton Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in Ohio, about 10 miles long with a total elevation gain of 417 feet. It is an out-and-back route, and the trail's natural surface and lack of horse and bike access make it a route planned around foot traffic. The climb starts at 704 feet, reaches a high point of 914 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.3 miles in with a 14% grade. The Forest Service lists it as not an accessible trail. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Waterloo run from highs around 67°F in April to 68°F in October, with September and October bringing the fewest wet days of the year. The trail sits close to several other spots. Aldridge Connector and Vesuvius Connector are both under half a mile away. Paddle Creek Horse Camp and Iron Ridge Campground are about 1.4 and 1.6 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Backpack

    Best months: August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 20°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 22°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 29°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      67° / 38°

      13 wet

    5. May

      75° / 49°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 57°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 62°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 60°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 52°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 40°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 30°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      45° / 25°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Waterloo, OH, 8.6 mi away at 625 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Vesuvius Main LoopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Vesuvius Main Loop

~3 min drive

59.28-mile loop trail in Ohio with 2,652 ft elevation gain.

Whiskey RunPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Whiskey Run

~3 min drive

1.31-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 247 ft gain.

Power Line TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Power Line Trail

~12 min drive

7.9-mile out-and-back hike in Ohio with 1,218 ft elevation gain

Lake ShorePhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lake Shore

~4 min drive

7.40-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,915 ft elevation gain.

Hungry Hollow ConnectorPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hungry Hollow Connector

~3 min drive

0.41-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 182 ft gain.

Copperhead TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Copperhead Trail

~12 min drive

5.42-mile out-and-back hike in Ohio with 1,134 ft elevation gain

Hanging Rock TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hanging Rock Trail

~12 min drive

11.5-mile loop in Ohio with 1,225 ft elevation gain.

Rock House TrailPhoto: dok1, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rock House Trail

~3 min drive

0.39-mile point-to-point trail in Ohio with 50 ft gain and 177 ft loss.

Wolcot TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wolcot Trail

~15 min drive

6.22-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,257 ft elevation gain/loss

Telegraph TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Telegraph Trail

~18 min drive

12.48-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 2,007 ft elevation gain/loss