Solo Backpacking the Hardest Hike in Ohio

Solo hiking the South Loop of the Backpacking Trail in Shawnee State Forest in Ohio. 18 miles or so of difficult terrain in what is known as one of the hardest hiking spots in Ohio. It's also known as "The Little Smokies of Ohio".
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Music Credits in Order of Appearance:
More Coffee by Ealot
Unfinished Stories by Ealot
Amber Lights by Chill Cole
City Phases by John Abbot
The Washing Ladies by John Abbot
Bossa for Baden by Vendla
Blazing New Trails by Robby Huang
Like Clockwork by Benjamin Kling
A Classic Noir by Mary Riddle
Oscillation by Adriel Fair
My Strange Dream by William Benckert
When You Move (Instrumental Version) by Stonekeepers
Equipment used:
Sony A7s iii - amzn.to/2JNkBZ7
Sony 24-105mm f4 - amzn.to/2VFOhd2
Sony 55mm f1.8 - amzn.to/1ToMpy4
Manfrotto BeFree Live Tripod - amzn.to/2HcKsnh
Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Original content is copyright Adventure Archives (c) 2020

[@MountainGardenGirl]

Us older less experienced at camping folks would love to see more of the tent set up along with camping skills...know they are easy but simple can be hard when its cold and getting dark. Your meals look fun but need more calories...maybe buy some peanut powder and unsweetened coconut flakes and add to packets. Love the music and the views. Thanks Robbie and team.

[@Michael_Tran]

Theres a sense of joy for some reason seeing Robby hiking by himself.

[@kurohikes5857]

Michael Tran he has a unique ability to bring joy to people.

[@Michael_Tran]

@@kurohikes5857 for sure

[@paracop35]

And eating

[@peterdisbury6346]

Yes

[@WannaKamaka]

That’s because Robby is the most entertaining out of those 4 guys. They all contribute something, but Robby is cool.

[@jordanyoder4181]

I rate how good the meal was by how many knee slaps Robby does. The more slaps the better the meal.

[@MotoSly]

this is legit btw!

[@pauldemelto6650]

I live in Berea, Ohio. Where can we buy your stuff around here?

[@MsPennay1]

It's so cute! I agree

[@jabt]

what I love about robby is those moments where you can tell he's been alone for just a little bit *too* long and he starts kinda wigging out some, just doing goofy shit almost as if there was no camera there. entertaining himself, essentially - yet also it's enjoyable for us to watch.

[@trtlduv07]

RIGHT? love it!

[@megtheetiger]

Been looking for some trails in Ohio for my first day hike.. Definitely will save this one for when I’m a bit more seasoned haha thanks for sharing.

[@jesseporter6913]

When I wake up in the middle of the night, Robby you're great to hang with. And, dig that jazz.😀

[@carolczina9235]

Fabulous. Beautiful. I have been a fan for years and this one is one of my favorites. The simple purity of the hike, gorgeous footage and amazing music. I wanted to note that those 20 mile AT hikers typically start out doing 8-10 miles per day in the first weeks they are on trail. You are a very fit hiker and you are carrying a big pack with heavy camera gear. Plus you stop and get footage through the day. And no food! Heroic! Great hike!

[@TheTurpin1234]

This is why I like to pack light. Drink water before I leave, only thing I bring is a water backpack thing if its hot, my phone, and my car key that I take off my lanyard. Doing this can turn 20 miles into a 9-10 hour day hike

[@savionh22]

You should make a compilation of all Robbys knee slaps after he eats something haha

[@Zeemeegaming]

I love all the videos, but I gotta say, the solo hiking trips by Robbie are always the best.

[@rickshears1]

Do you want to try another tough hike in Ohio? Hike the Logan trail at Tar Hollow State Park. It is also intense and has some serious climbs. It is a figure 8 trail and each loop is about 10 miles so the complete trail is around 20 miles. You can enter the trail at a few spots but the main trailhead is in the middle of the figure 8 which also has camping. There is a fire tower also there that you can check out. The Buckeye Trail comes through Tar Hollow.

[@Duckh3rd]

That second night campfire montage time-lapse sequence is *chef's kiss*

[@reyl6152]

Plant person here, those holes in the oak leaves do in fact resemble some kind of insect or caterpillar/larvae damage that are fairly common with oak trees (at least from my experience living in the midwest). Its very hard to tell for sure which specific kind of creature caused the damage but thats as much as I know. Wonderful video as always!

[@mrdave22]

slugs quite possibly

[@Outdoors49Man]

Having had some multiple day solo backpacking trips I truly relate to your experience and your narrative. I'm also impressed by all of your extra walking to set your tripod to show your walking either towards or away from the camera. The effect is so natural. Thank you.

[@tranquillvibes8849]

Robby, it’s always a pleasure watching your solo adventures!! 🤗

[@xBINARYGODx]

Those nighttime skyline timelapse shots were fantastic - the music for them was great too.

[@georgesbondorjr2483]

Excellent video. This OHIO boy, born and raised in Dayton, who now lives in Washingtohn State thoroughly enjoyed your adventure!

[@itmissionca2178]

Another great video. Wish the music is not as loud. Would love to hear more the sound of the hiking as it is. The wind, the walk, the water, etc.

[@KREPTiiK_]

I had the same thought. The music seems a bit too loud. Perhaps if it was more mellow, ambient, chill music it wouldn't be as bad! But I do prefer listening to the sounds of the forest myself :) amazing video non the less!

[@MichaelRichards983]

The music was over the top. Too loud, too much. Also him eating and constantly talking about food really brought this video down. It's like he is on meth

[@melvinlee5684]

Poor selection of music for hiking and nature.

[@bridgethurtuk3035]

@@MichaelRichards983 he just didn’t bring enough food, that constant state of not having enough food can actually increase energy. I loved every thing about it..maybe just don’t watch it? Just a suggestion

[@MichaelRichards983]

@@bridgethurtuk3035 Criticism isn't a bad thing as it will help him be a better video creator. Acting like he is on drugs isn't ok

[@criscoleman]

It always amazes me how you, and the rest of Adventure Archives, are able to just talk off the cuff as you're going about doing your business. That's the same sort of talent that, say, a sports broadcaster has. I like how you take the time to show unusual little things, like a few green leaves where the rest of the entire scene is basically brown and bare. Little scenes like crossing a creek, stepping from stone to stone. It brings everything a lot closer. I like how you show things that maybe didn't go quite as right as you'd like, like going down the wrong trail. You know what I'd REALLY like to see? And I wonder if others would like to see that as well? How you (meaning you and Andrew) go about editing a long hike. What are the little things you do to make such a professional presentation? How you go about choosing what to include when you have so much video you don't use? What do you do with the video that you don't use? I don't mean like a 5-minute quick sketch video, but maybe even a half-hour or more show. What video-editing tools do you use? How did you go about choosing them? What led you to where you are now? This would certainly something I would put in my bucket list to watch, but I don't know if it would be on your bucket list of things to do when you are already so busy. Love you guys.

[@AJKPenguin]

4:20 Rob blazing! Well done sir on a great adventure and the Weather Channel music.

[@pearldiving7492]

Ohio is a lot more impressive during spring (wildflower season )or fall. Winter isn't as impressive because of the temperate deciduous climate (imo). We don't get a lot of snow unless you're up north. It'd be cool to see a video of Ohio in the spring! During that time of year, the ground is covered in moss and delicate looking flowers.

[@louisemitch1]

Always enjoyable because you shoot such beautiful footage Robby. 46:02 that feeling when you see your car at the end of a looong hike! Yes!!

[@MikeGivesBack]

I haven't even started the video yet and I'm already super excited to see another Robby solo adventure.

[@AndricKelton]

Yeah my friend lives in Oregon now. He does ski mountaineering and some high altitude and he still says our trip in Shawnee was the toughest hike he has ever done.

[@andyortiz7954]

Enjoy the hell out of your Solo hikes, funny stuff and great all around. Keep it up.

[@pandorahunter]

My first video of yours. I'm new to hiking and live in Ohio. I was searching for trails for a close to home bucket list a d this was my first pick because I love Shawnee. My son and I would walk the small trails when he was young. O never knew of the vast trails available and am excited to have this option so available. Thanks for a beautiful video and lessons about the trail, bring extra food lol

[@321654987510]

Watched this while at the gym thanks for taking us along on the hike

[@jeffreyfeist2099]

When my busy job keeps me from getting out, your videos do my soul good. You have a way of making the viewer feel they're there enjoying the adventure too. Thank you for the escape.

[@mohammedalam2410]

Very True

[@WannaKamaka]

I’ve watched many hiking videos. AA and Craig Adams have the best videos. I have to admit, this one with Robbie solo hiking is kind of a nice respite to the others where there’s a lot of pausing so Andrew can explain the different plants. That interrupts the cadence and ambiance sometimes.

[@birgitnazarian8767]

Omg got PTSD when you talked about not having enough food and that rough elevation. Brings back backpacking memories when I hadn’t quite gotten my food or gear right. 😬 I just wanted you to have more food it was stressing me out. 😂 Not sure I could go alone up there in Shawnee SF. Awesome about the water though. And post hike meal, I always plan on where. You were probably heading west towards Cincy? Was hoping you had a suggestion, of course the lodge at Shawnee SP has decent breakfast and maybe burgers.

[@Davidesonar449]

These solo trails are a joy to watch

[@Jesuscares7680]

I hope this new year brings a lot of all the team of Adventure archives... enjoying the woods and the water and the sky and the fields and the mud and the snow... and eating awesome meals around the campfire....John 3:16

[@Sophie-ei6zh]

Robby, you are such a good cinematographer and film editor. Pure art and masterful. Thank you for an enjoyable trip!

[@Ifindcosplay]

Great stuff. I know everyone likes the whole crew together but I do enjoy the solo hikes with you Robby.

[@brad7232]

First time I ever watched this channel. Very glad I found it. Good job powering through

[@hikingleigh]

The video did not feel complete until we saw the post-hike meal. Soooo satisfying 😂😂

[@inwardk]

Who ever forgets to pack enough food? Not me!!! What would happen if you slipped and broke your ankle and had to wait to be rescued, without an extra meal? Thanks for this episode, the scenery is magnificent. Greetings from a sunny South Africa.

[@cingulum16]

To be out in the woods during the pandemic is a bliss.Consider this a blessing when most ppl are restricted to go out.⚡⚡

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Awesome hike Bro! Thanks for letting us tag along!

[@sahasralah]

the shared solo hike is a hidden gem amidst our wintry repose. thanks for another great one!

[@lisam7036]

Great video. I love watching the group videos but Robby's solo's are awesome too. Love the outtakes.

[@twostrokeguys7861]

watching all your episodes from oldest to newest in the past days for the second time - you guys are awsome

[@dcchiasson5991]

Best Covid binge watching ever!

[@HarrimanHikersTV]

Thank you for sharing a wonderful energetic adventurous backpacking footage. I'm glad to find a fellow hiker and KZbinr sharing the same passion.

[@shinaken]

Scrambly Rocks at 23:18 felt so good on my ears!

[@bobanga470]

Great video! Even though I live in Ohio I don’t always get to appreciate these awesome trails we have.

[@benc8640]

Thanks for bringing us along. Beautiful video and music. Felt like I was there with you. Loved the outtakes!

[@wickedsonz3847]

Awesome video!! Lol peanut butter sandwiches... gourmet! Love the simplicity! It’s true, we don’t need much to be happy, just awesome adventures with Robby and cool music. Thx

[@bridgethurtuk3035]

Loved your energy and your camera work, absolutely amazing for a solo hike through bare trees!!

[@jdmccartney1]

Just a heads up to you AA fans out there , I find the Knorr meal helpers with an added protein to be much more filling than dehydrated backpack meals. They are also way cheaper and if you doctor them up with a bit of curry powder , chili powder or your favorite spice really tasty as well.. 👍👍

[@amelie3265]

Yes! They’re usually on sale as a 10 for $10 special...definitely helped get us through some tough times!

[@stephstargirl]

Yes, that's what I take! $2 meal with some variety because I can get the Knorr sides and packets of tuna or chicken for a buck each on sale.

[@stephstargirl]

@@NoTrail sure, but it's still much cheaper for me bc I use heet for fuel.

[@jdmccartney1]

i think the cook time is 7 or 8 minutes or so .... but i cook them for 3 mins take off the heat then put my coozy on the pot and leave it for ten minutes or so ... take off the coozy and voila ... perfectly cooked and still piping hot 👍👍

[@cynthiadonahey9989]

There are interesting hikes in Ohio near urban areas. It just takes a few minutes to get there. Some are accessed by bus, very old bus routes. It can be hard to find a place to park. A dry stream bed going into a river or stream under a bike trail warrants a look. Warning, you might find a conquered stream and really beat up land at the end. Some of the bike trails took over abandoned railroad routes, before that Indian roads. The Alum Creek Bike Trail was once a road, abandoned when Ohio became a state. There are Medici traces if you know where to look. You cross up thru Ohio Dominican, turn left and look at the stone bridge under Sunbury Road, built by Medici engineers. The bike trails were once called the wildflower trails and bore the brunt of the spraying and burning campaigns of the 50s and 60s. If you hike off Oxbow Trail, you will find the oxbow. I guess the mill is gone. All the oxbows predated statehood. In fact, it was not known who built them. All the golf courses built in the 20s with the new suburban housing were built on athletic fields, that had in part an Amerindian basis. Big drunks were common in these places. There are still homestead sites along the edge, but the courses forbid trespassers. They promised a more sedate game and behaving members. Now the first gold courses built next to metro parks allow access to old cemetery sites. The first settler organization was a cemetery association. Cemeteries were clustered close together and bodies stored until spring in various way, small caves etc When certain wildflowers bloomed in the spring, this was a sign to gather and bury. A lot of the springs have dried up, unless it rains a lot.

[@JessicaPurdon]

What an awesome video! Your nephews must be like my son, if in the end they all yelled, “EXCAVATOR!” Lol

[@valorhsu]

I also like to hike alone, free and unrestrained. Love your videos, thanks for your share.

[@TravelTourTaste]

Hello, We hope all is well . Great to see you again. We just want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year. Love and Light Sarah and Glenn

[@marypyles3730]

Happy to have found your channel! I grew up near the Shawnee State Forest and spent my college years in Athens (I enjoyed your PawPaw Fest video). Left the area for the big city a few years back, but I miss the hiking so much! It's very nice to see someone bringing attention to one of the positive aspects of living in this area of the country. There are hundreds of miles of trails just out your backdoor and hardly anybody ever on them!

[@jamielewis136]

Amazing trip! Beautiful editing beautiful video..good job man 👏👏

[@LeighDeitrick1]

Robbie you make these so much fun! 🤗

[@andreyschneider9934]

Thank you for taking us on these walks. It is very valuable to share with others the beauty of our world, real emotions and your vision of what surrounds us! All this is a great work and art, it is worth a lot..... Thank you for the fact that more and more people are carried away by hiking romance, making people kinder. When you are in nature, you always enjoy the little things. You live in the present moment, and all negative thoughts leave our mind!

[@reazhak]

Hey Adventure Archive guys I just want to say how much I love and appreciate your content . From a solo hiker out here in the Canadian Rockies when I can't be hiking and I need that fix your channel is one of my first clicks . So great to see all the wonderful landscapes I have yet to explore . Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@perrymichales4242]

Canadian woods and meadows would be awesome to hike with these guys

[@cham_hikes6821]

I would watch those few seconds of the starry night on repeat if I could! 🤩

[@ripvanrevs]

Adventure Archives, check out the 16 miles of new Buckeye Trail that recently opened through the Edge of Appalachia. The goal is to connect to the Shawnee State Forest with all off road trail. There are also an abundance of other trails throughout Adams County in various nature preserves.

[@Tendonz_]

Quality and clean editing on point, great job!

[@jonhall398]

Love watching all of your Solo Hikes would love to go on one with you

[@hottamaledancer]

Oh my gosh, this was like watching myself solo adventuring!! XD Especially the elation about eating food in the outtakes...I've made those same sounds! Can relate 100%.

[@ravinazn]

Robby out here keeping the adventure alive. Great video

[@dakotakatzenmeyer1231]

here spending my 2021 with these amazing videos keep up the great content guys ive kinda been on a binge watching you guys keep it up

[@tdonaven]

I just had a group there a few weeks ago. It was super windy at site 5 so we couldn't end up having a fire. That wood you found could very well have been left by us!

[@genglandoh]

Great Video. I am 68 retired and started to get back into cold weather backpacking last year. For me 5 miles per day is perfect but I also carry about 30 lbs because I like to be comfortable. I take it slow and stop about every hour for 10 mins and take a long lunch break. When I was 15 - 18 my brother and I would do winter camping on the AT for 2-3 nights.

[@pauldemelto6650]

I watched this for the third time today, lol. Planning on hitting this trail soon, and I just love your video. Love Shawnee State Forest!!!

[@DanYellowZena]

I love the music you guys play!

[@halesonair]

Man, your music has gotten SO much more intricate and diverse. I love it :) Also, the solo hikes are great. Maybe someday I won't chicken out of it and just do one haha

[@marksonger6463]

Do one.

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great trip video Robby! Thanks for creating and sharing.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing another fine outdoor adventure. You always do a great job of filming. All the best to you out there on the trail. 🤗

[@Uptownunicorn]

Must be hard to leave tripod to film go back down hill to pick it up and walk up the hill again.👏🏻👏🏻😵

[@NK-iv1ik]

Aha! This is a good one with +! Not just one night camping, we like multiple ones!👍 Thank you Robby!

[@theonlynikki27]

So I may or may not have started a drinking game where we do a shot when you wear your coat on just one arm in any of your videos.

[@christophermyers5169]

great to see a new adventure! hope everyone is well

[@devinfarmiloe7042]

this one was one of my favorites yet! It is also great to discover such a nice backpacking trail in my home state! I will have to give it a go!

[@DadsBackpackTrip]

The best part of campsite six is right across the creek from where you ate lunch. Best campsite in Ohio. That white blaze trail is the wilderness side trail. I’m glad to see Shawnee make you sweat! We only made half our adventure last year at Shawnee before we bailed after a 20 mile day 1...our trail eyes were stronger than our legs! 😂

[@BeichnerFarms]

Great shots Robbie and excellent music selection. I dig it!

[@undeadly1103]

i love seeing the solo hikes, but when you are all together it's like Voltron or something

[@martijnharmsen5253]

I really enjoyed this Robby! Keep up the good work. Stay safe, healthy and happy. All the best from the Netherlands.

[@collegedad8656]

A "30 dream" sleep, the perfect night backpacking 👍

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Man, I need to start taking notes! Your cinematography is fan-frickin-tastic. And did I witness some creamy-smooth Catayst stabe? NOICE!! That new a7Siii is the bomb...

[@gud2go50]

Excellent music!

[@areagh13]

If you guys haven't been yet, you should check out the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in NE Ohio

[@skeezo2927]

Is there any long hiking trails there?

[@KisstheSky.1989]

Lots of trails out that way! I live about 30 minutes south, and love going there no matter what season.

[@terriecarlson4188]

This was the first video of yours I watched. I really enjoyed it. But it was the outtakes at the end that sent had me binge watching. Great job.

[@glennmolano683]

Awesome channel bro! New subscriber here. I'm really Inspired on the way you film and edit these beautiful outdoor shots. stay safe and see yah on the trails!

[@EvangelistAnitaMartirRivera]

Wow. Very cool. I was hooked the entire time. God bless you.

[@Golddragon214]

Nicely done. Great scenery and jamming tunes.

[@yungthunder2681]

I run this trail every summer! Love it

[@chronicawareness9986]

your videos are amazing... all of you guys are very talented and poetic. esp this guy... we feel you man

[@dl308330]

This video is an excellent example of how important the guthook hiking app. is.

[@CamboRambo25]

Love your solo hikes

[@trtlduv07]

"Coffee kinda smells like an OLD CLOSET!" Lol. So true. I drink it every day and still... relatable LOL.

[@DakotaDunlap69]

It's up and down strenuous pretty much the whole way through the south loop that you are on, the north loop is even more difficult. My buddy Mike and I did this entire south loop trail in one go, no camping, back in 2020 also. The best thing about this loop is a really nice section that follows a creek for sometime that is a great area for a much needed break and views. I'd say the worst thing about this trail is that it isn't a complete loop, once you get out of the woods at the end you realize you still have another few miles to go to get back to your vehicle. The quickest way was to just walk the road back around by turkey lake where the registration kiosk is. My after hike food is sour patch kids and a tall boy of Monster, I don't know why but I need sugar bad after intense hikes. AllTrails Dakota Dunlap

[@MarkFugel]

stellar solo hike and video Robby!

[@matnzone4151]

It’s great that you can enjoy your own company

[@pbardon3965]

Awwwww Shawnee. You dirty bug. Thanks for reminding me why I don’t hike there.

[@bradprince1854]

Thanks for taking us along on this one. Great edits and music. Oh that music!

[@marktaylor806]

I enjoy the outdoors but I'm not an avid hiker. What impressed me was your videography and editing skills. You have a good "eye" because this video is both interesting and beautiful. Keep producing content like this...please!

[@johntuttle9544]

Henry David McThoreau. Get out west, Robby. Your mind will be blown.

[@williampittman8739]

I had no idea Thoreau was of. Scottish decent??????