Wilderness on 3 Forests.docx

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST, PA

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/wilderness/hickory_creek/ Hickory Creek Wilderness

Approximately 12.1 miles of designated trails The Hickory Creek Wilderness and the Allegheny Wilderness Islands are the only Congressionally designated wildernesses in Pennsylvania! It is a special area encompassing 8663 acres, which was intended to provide an "area where the earth and its community of life are untrammled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

About the Wilderness: The Hickory Creek Wilderness is located on the Bradford Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The gentle to moderate terrain is drained by East Hickory Creek and Middle Hickory Creek. Topography ranges from 1273 feet where East Hickory Creek exits the wilderness to 1900 feet on the plateau. There are no particularly steep slopes. Much of the area is heavily forested.

Finding the Wilderness: Parking is available at the picnic area within Hearts Content Scenic Area, 15 miles southwest of Warren, PA. Follow SR 3005 about 11 miles to its junction with marked Township Road 2002 which leads to Hearts Content Recreation Area (four miles).

Hiking the area: There is only one major designated hiking trail within the Hickory Creek Wilderness boundary. Hickory Creek Trail is a loop of about 12.1 miles situated in the middle of the area. The Hickory Creek Trail is used by many backpackers and dayhikers. It is marked with yellow blazes that we are allowing to fade to return trail markings to wilderness standards. The trail is maintained to a primative standard, to provide a challenge to visitors. The Tanbark Trail goes through the eastern tip of the boundary for about 1/4 mile.

The trails indicated in the Sierra Club book, "Allegheny National Forest Hiking Guide", listed as side loops, are not designated as formal hiking trails by the U.S. Forest Service, nor are they maintained.

Huron-Manistee National Forest, MI http://fs.usda.gov/goto/hmnf/special

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area approximately 10 miles of designated trail

· The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is the only Federally designated wilderness in Michigan's lower peninsula and encompasses 3,450 acres of National Forest.

· Nordhouse Dunes is part of the Ludington Dune Ecosystem. The dunes were formed 3,500 to 4,000 years ago and stand up to 140 feet high. Ludington Dune Ecosystem has the largest area of fresh water interdunal ponds in the world. The interdunal ponds, small water holes and marshes, decorate the area. Dune grass covers many of the dunes and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

· The Nordhouse Dunes are interspersed with woody vegetation such as juniper, jack pine and hemlock. Plant life is varied and includes the Federally Endangered Pitcher's Thistle. The sand beach along the lake varies from narrow to wide and is home to the Federally Endangered Piping Plover, a shore bird that nests on the ground in small cobbles.

· The wilderness area is popular for hiking, camping, hunting, nature study and wildlife viewing. There are approximately 10-miles of trail that can be accessed from 2 developed trailheads at the end of Nurnberg Road and Lake Michigan Recreation Area.

Hoosier National Forest, IN http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/recreation/ccdw.htm Charles C. Deam Wilderness approximately 35 miles of designated trail The Charles C. Deam Wilderness area was designated a wilderness in 1982 and encompasses nearly 13,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest. Wilderness designation places this area in a special legal status (subject to the 1964 Wilderness Act). It is managed to preserve a natural condition and provide opportunities for solitude.

Etiquette and Rules

● Use of wheeled vehicles including carts, wagons and bicycles, or motorized travel is prohibited.

● Camping within 100 feet of ponds, Monroe Lake, trails, or streams is allowed only in designated sites. Walk-in camping throughout the rest of the wilderness area is not restricted.

● Horse riders (age 17 years and older) are required to have a permit and stay on designated trails. Permits are available from our offices and local vendors.

● Parking is allowed along Tower Ridge Road in only three locations: Blackwell Horse Camp, Grubb Ridge Trailhead, and the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower.

● Campsites must be occupied the first night, and may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours without permission. Camping is limited to 14 days.

● Hunting is permitted in the Wilderness. Target shooting or practicing is not allowed.

● Stock may not be tied within reach of any living tree.

● Group size is limited to 10 persons or less.

● Observe the following trail courtesy:

· Hikers yield to horse riders

· Horse riders control your horse.

· Pack out your trash.

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