Wildcat Falls Hike

Join naturalist Licia, Wildcat Falls Community Forest volunteer Rod Sharka and Botanist Alex Graeff for a guided tour of the Wildcat Falls property that will focus on the geological history and ecology of this unique and special property. This trip may also include the possibility of viewing other nearby parcels and features associated with this community forest.

The Wildcat Falls Community Forest is a unique and very scenic 200-acre project where visitors can enjoy a diverse forest that includes classified old-growth, trout stream and pond habitats with a waterfall, seep springs, vernal pools, and pre-Cambrian rock outcrops.

Originally part of the Ottawa National Forest, the Wildcat Falls Community Forest was part of a larger land trade initiated in 2007 and completed in 2016, which allowed the Forest Service to add 421 acres of land adjoining the Ottawa National Forest. While this was a beneficial trade for the larger scope of the FS program, the trade process brought intense opposition from a segment of the community as this highly scenic and diverse Ottawa parcel,referred to as ‘Wildcat Falls’, was considered a special place by generations of local residents and seasonal visitors.

Total hike will include 2-2.5 miles of slightly rugged terrain, making this hike moderately strenuous.  Some off-trail hiking is a possibility.  Registered participants will receive and email with more information on what to bring for the day.  The plan is to meet at the Discovery Center at 9 AM and ride up together in the NLDC Van.  The ride to the hike location is around 1 hour.  We will return to the NLDC around 3 PM.   Rain date is set for Saturday,  9/16.  Registration required by 9/13.  Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM.  $60/Non-Member and $50/Member.