In 2000, Leann and I were still new backpackers when a co-worker asked us if we wanted to do a winter trip to Oil Creek State Park. You sleep in shelters (or tents) and the park provides firewood. Sounded like fun to us so we gave it a try. Little did we know that this would turn into an annual January trip. It’s a great way to start a New Year.
1: train station where we started the hike 2: Pioneer Falls 3: Wolfkiel, where we camped. This is a 9 mile hike and we hiked out the same way.Pioneer FallsYou bring in tarps to cover the opening, get the fire going kick back and relax with good food and conversationOur first trip to Oil Creek, little did we know how many times we would return. We look a lot younger.
Random pictures from other trips:
Cooking dinner in the fireplace. Cold outside but warm enough in the shelter for T shirts.I think this is Jennifer’s (oldest daughter) last overnight trip in the woods, she did not catch the backpacking bug.I like this picture of LeannWolfkiel Shelters, 2 of the 6One year we decided to hike North to South starting at the boat launch (#1). We hiked down the east side and back on the west side of the creek.We started posting this trip in the NEOH backpacking club and it became very popular.Whytes on the trailThis is the group from 2007.Leann splitting wood, gotta love a woman that can handle an ax.Every once in a while we have to make a human sacrifice to the gods of weather. We need snow!2008 was probably the largest group that attended. You plan on 4 people per shelter and with 6 shelters there is plenty of room.2009 started off with a lot of snow and it just kept snowing.The snow was getting deep so we took the shortcut across the swinging bridgeLots of snow for the hike out. Since the snow was so deep we headed down to the bike path for the last section.2010: Nothing beats fresh snow and blue sky for a winter trip.What is not to like?Lots of snow again in 2011I have a reputation for making very hot fires, just think sweat hut. Who wants to be cold?Oil Creek OverlookOil Creek: nice place for kayaking and a bike path runs by the river. This park is one of our favorites.
2023
This was our first trip back since Covid shut down the park. I was really looking forward to a return visit.
We left after lunch on Friday (retirement perk) and drove to the Wolfkiel Shelter parking lot. We then walked down the hill approximately 1/4 mile to the shelter area. We brought so much crap that we had to make 2 trips.
We started parking at the shelter parking lot so we could leave our cross country skis in the car. After breakfast we could do a quick hike back to the cars and head to the cross country ski area.
I brought a piece of gear for the first time ever to Oil Creek. You can see it leaning against the right side of the shelter. You guessed it, a step ladder. You need one of those if you are going into the woods. I lashed the ladder to the top of our sled and it came in very handy for setting up the tarps. Previously I would try to balance on a stack of wood but this was a lot easier. The tarps went up in no time. A friend used it for his shelter and he said: why didn’t we bring one of these before?Also in the sled were a couple of Duraflame logs and some dried birch wood from Giant Eagle. I built a structure around the Duraflame log with the birch, lit it and walked away. By the time I get back from the woodpile with another load of wood, the fire was roaring. Friday night the temps dropped to the low 20’s but we were toastyFirst nights dinner: This is my version of shepherds pie. I mix hamburger into cheddar cheese mashed potatoes., tasty on a cold night. Friends arrived around 8:30 Friday night so we had a good time catching up with themThis was our day hike for Saturday. 1:shelter area, 2: access trail to the Girard hiking trail (link below), 3 Pioneer Falls, 4: bike path for the hike back.
Saturday’s night dinner was Ramen with chicken. For desert Leann brought smore’s bars which are one of my favorites. Food, fire, friends led to another great Oil Creek trip.
