​This past weekend, Lucy and I took to the wide-open road and drove about an hour out to Ravenna to try a new portion of the Buckeye Trail – the West Branch Loop – which looped around the Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir.  It was a lovely trail, for the most part, and really challenging! It took just about six hours for us to complete it (we stopped for lunch partway through for a half hour), and I’m glad I had my headlamp.  It was completely dark by the time we got back to the car.   Read on to find out why and to check out all the pics!
 
Details:
-Length: 9.4 miles
-Elevation: 535 ft.

The Good:
-It had some very beautiful spots, really gorgeous.  I bet it’s awesome in summer!
-It was remote – I didn’t see anyone else on the trail, and for most of it couldn’t hear any cars, etc.
-Enough of a challenge to make it interesting
 
The Bad:
-Because it doesn’t seem to be traversed often, you really gotta keep your eyes open for the Buckeye Trail blue blazes that are painted on the trees.  Some are faded, and some are spread a little far apart.  I didn’t have any issues and didn’t have to backtrack at all, but you DO really need to watch.  I *did* check my AllTrails App a couple of times, just to be sure I was on the right path.
-Remember how I mentioned it was a really challenging hike? That’s because the first half of it was definitely in a state of thawing mud – I’ve never been on a trail like that before – where the mud took on this half frozen weirdly inflated feel.  So basically every time I stepped my foot went down and in different directions.  Not sure how else to describe it, but it made for slow going and really sore feet the next day.  So hiker, beware! May want to wait until it’s dried out a bit more.
 
The Ugly:
-Holy crap – there are two places, at either end of the loop, where you have to walk on the road for a little bit.  Fairly common with the BT.

The Good:
-It had some very beautiful spots, really gorgeous.  I bet it’s awesome in summer!
-It was remote – I didn’t see anyone else on the trail, and for most of it couldn’t hear any cars, etc.
-Enough of a challenge to make it interesting
 
The Bad:
-Because it doesn’t seem to be traversed often, you really gotta keep your eyes open for the Buckeye Trail blue blazes that are painted on the trees.  Some are faded, and some are spread a little far apart.  I didn’t have any issues and didn’t have to backtrack at all, but you DO really need to watch.  I *did* check my AllTrails App a couple of times, just to be sure I was on the right path.
-Remember how I mentioned it was a really challenging hike? That’s because the first half of it was definitely in a state of thawing mud – I’ve never been on a trail like that before – where the mud took on this half frozen weirdly inflated feel.  So basically every time I stepped my foot went down and in different directions.  Not sure how else to describe it, but it made for slow going and really sore feet the next day.  So hiker, beware! May want to wait until it’s dried out a bit more.
 
The Ugly:
-Holy crap – there are two places, at either end of the loop, where you have to walk on the road for a little bit.  Fairly common with the BT.  Probably around a mile and a half or two miles total.  Not a super big deal, but the one side for about a half miles was a VERY busy road.  Semis and cars driving by one after the other at high speeds, and you have to walk about 3 feet from them for most of it due to a bridge with no sidewalk.  HIKER BEWARE.  It felt dangerous and I carried my dog for the duration of it. 

In the end, I'll definitely do it again some Saturday.  Lovely day hike.  But I'll wait, for sure, until it's dried out a bit!
​
Have you hiked West Branch Loop or another portion of the Buckeye Trail?  Comment below or email me here!

“Lonesome lobo. Rockabilly. Lowrider. Oldies all day. Greaser. Mechanic. Mack trucks Chicano. Honky tonker. Vegetarian. Buddhist teachings. Hiker. Traveler. Animal rights. Colorado. Cali. Tattoo luv 🖤. Found my biological father and family 2 years ago at the age of 41. Amazing story there. Highly impacted over last few years by a massive brain tumor. Radiation in 2018-19 and serious side effects. With the luv of friends and family, I healed and moved forward changing my world. I still have to perform MRI’s every 6 months as long as I live to monitor the brain tumor. And at the same time I’m pursuing my passions. On day one, NOT one day. Lost 80lbs. Active every single day. And learning so much of the hiker life and enjoying hikes religiously with just the sounds of nature. Life is short and beautiful. Embrace the day. Embrace your close ones. And embrace yourself 🖤. — (Maurice, @Lone_some_lobo)
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Pronouns: None (El Lobo)
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[Image Description:  Maurice rides a drop seat, custom motorcycle on a paved road, with trees, a sidewalk, and signs in the background.  Maurice wears a plaid, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sneakers.  Maurice wears glasses and has a moustache and goatee.] 

“I was always very active, ate well, etc. I never thought I'd experience challenges and setbacks regarding my health. However, in 2013, I had my first, major intracerebral hemorrhage. It was caused by a CVA (cavernous amgioma) or CVM (cavernous malformation). A CVA is a cluster of blood vessels that leak through their own walls. Mine was located deep within my brain, in an area my neurosurgeon called "high real estate". Surgery was too risky. We hoped that this would be a one time event. Unfortunately, I had several more bleeds and another major hemorrhage in 2016. To save my life, they had to operate. I am extremely fortunate to be alive despite my cognitive and physical deficits. I'm in pain continually. But nature is my therapy, and I get out as much as I can. My advice? Accept help. Much love to all misfit hikers out there!—Dana, (@mrs.hangle).
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Pronouns: She/Her
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Dana would like to give a shout-out: I am not affiliated with a group, but one thing I feel strongly about is the appropriation of Indigenous traditions and ceremonies in ecotherapy. I would just encourage people to refrain from partaking in cultural activities, which are not their own. Don't be taken financially and emotionally by people claiming to be able to use Indigenous events in nature if they are not Indigenous themselves. In kindness, Dana

Do you leash your beast when you're on the trail?  You should.  

The picture above is me on the trail with my 14 pound cairn terror (er...terrier), Lucy.  My other three dogs are all under thirty pounds.  They're small.  Last summer, Lucy and I were on the trail.  I had my full backpack on and we were strolling along on a trail, when out of nowhere a very large white Samoyed came running towards us.  Keep in mind I carry mace and a knife, but I had no time to get either before the dog was on Lucy (really, I used to hang the mace around my neck and I'm fairly sure if I'd taken the time to get it organized, Lucy would be dead). 

There was a group of four about 50 feet behind him, yelling “don't worry, he’s super friendly!”  Really? FUCK YOU.  And they continued to do so as he jumped on Lucy.  He hadn’t bitten her but was growling/snapping and bringing his paw down on her heavily, like a dog would with a mole. I started beating him with my hiking pole (didn’t even blink), while my dog yelped in pain from the trouncing. I tried to swing her around and away, but her harness isn’t made for lasso-like action and by the second time she slipped it and tried to run.

I screamed for them to get their dog, and the woman finally got there. Lucy, the other dog swatting her in to the underbrush and clearly snapping now, realized she was running from safety and managed to get back to me, and the woman finally got the other dog. Amidst the “he’s always super friendly, he never does anything like this!” I completely lost my *{%~.  While she apologized profusely, her friends- still on down the trail- were laughing loudly.  I also had a few choice words for them. 

We were attacked three times on the trail by loose dogs over the summer.  I walk with my mace in my hand now.  

Folks on the trail have a right to be on it with the expectation that people will follow park rules. 

So why leash your dog?
- it's park rules
- your dog might be friendly, but other dogs (or people) might not be - you are responsible if your dog bites someone or another dog.  It is your fault. 
- you may think your dog is adorable, but other people don't know your dog - if a dog runs up on me again and goes to attack, my goal will be to kill that dog or injure it enough to get it away
- helps you keep it away from wildlife - like bears and coyotes

Look, even if your dog is well trained, and normally stays with you, you never know - maybe there will be fireworks or gunshots in the distance, maybe your dog will be injured and run........OR maybe there will be wildlife that will attack your dog. And because you don't have a means of controlling your dog, you've now placed your dog in greater danger. 

I've heard the argument, "But I want my hands free when I hike - it's a safety thing."  I agree, but your dog doesn't have to be loose for you to have your hands free.  I use a longer leash and use a carabiner to attach the leash to my pack/belt/etc.  

Even if your dog is the most well trained dog and never leaves your side, parks aren't your backyard.  If it's park rules, please follow them.

It may sound harsh, but it really scared me.  After posting about the experience, the number of folks that responded with similar stories truly surprised me. 

In years past, I didn't always used to leash my dog.  I was that person.  I'm not that person anymore.  I learned why it was a problem, and corrected my behavior.  It's all about learning and moving forward. 

Leashing your dog is such an easy way to be respectful of others in the outdoors.

Do you have a dog? Do you leash them? Why or why not? 

Feel free to comment below or email me.

“I've always loved the outdoors. As a child my family would take a few camping trips every summer. It wasn't until I was much older when I found my passion for hiking. The very first time hiking was actually on a date. I am a bigger girl so I was concerned that I wasn't going to be able to keep up or that I would be huffing and puffing and just have a miserable time. I was wrong! We did a pretty short hike but it was still challenging enough. I was huffing and puffing a bit lol, but honestly I didn't care because I was having so much fun. On that day not only did I find my passion for hiking but it also jumpstarted my passion for photography. Nothing ever ended up evolving with the guy I went on a date with, but I am grateful I went and that he introduced me to a hidden passion. – Angelica (@thethickhiker)
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Pronouns: She/Hers
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Tag #misfithikers to be showcased!
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[Image Description: Angelica stands on a snow-covered path with pines in the distance, wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, black tights with green at the bottom, and a black patterned buff across her face.  Her brown hair hangs long and loose.  She's holding skis/trekking poles and wearing snowshoes. ] 

“I am overweight. I have had 13 surgeries in the past 15 years. I struggle with bipolar, borderline personality disorder and social anxiety. The trails have saved me from myself, they have brought me closer to my husband and pups, and I’m starting to be more comfortable being in social situations. I still take meds, but less of them thanks to nature. And I’m not ashamed of that. I am a misfit hiker who has been saved by the trails and the trees.” – Nicole (@cardinalroots)
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Pronouns: She/Hers
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📣Nicole would like to give a shout-out to: Hiker Babes Central Oregon! (@hiker_babes_oregon, #hikerbabesoregon)
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Click here to be showcased!
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[Image Description:  Pic 1 – Nicole, smiling in a black long-sleeved v neck shirt with a black string necklace and medallion, stands looking towards the sky with puffy white and golden clouds behind her, mountains in the distance.  The sun gleams in the right corner. Pic 2: Nicole grins at the camera, wearing a white t-shirt and black-strapped backpack, in a sepia/black and pic, shot on a wooden-railed bridge, with water below in a canyon, trees and shrubs all around.]