Hickory Creek
Begins at the forest's mile 0, 41.6985, -79.2526 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins
Hickory Creek Wilderness 12 mi loop · the Forest Service's write-up
No fee · season January to December
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.
View/Print Trail Brochure - pdf
Restrictions As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/allegheny/notices/?cid=FSEPRD520129">on-line</a> or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/allegheny/notices/?cid=FSEPRD520129">General Topic orders</a> apply across the Forest. <strong>Applicable Orders for this Site:</strong> <ul><li>Occupancy Limits</li></ul>Please note that wilderness trails are only open to foot travel. Mechanized and motorized travel is prohibited, as are hooved pack/saddle animals. Wilderness Trails are minimally signed and maintained.