A Hiking Spike on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail

November 11, 2019

It was hard to miss the long line of hikers crossing the Little Miami River in Milford, Ohio on the sunny afternoon of October 20. Close observers might have even noticed a tear coursing its way down the cheek of a hiker or two.

Jim leads group across the last bridge

Those tears were most likely generated by a mixture of emotions. Joy in the completion of a five-year 1,400-plus-mile journey around the state of Ohio on the Buckeye Trail. And at the same time, possibly sadness that in a few hundred yards they would be finishing the trail and leaving behind those who had walked together with them such a great distance.

Earlier these hikers had compiled their thoughts and feelings. One lady wrote that this hike had gotten her out of the house at a low point in her life and connected her with like-minded people at a time when she was feeling quite alone. Wow. I started hiking the Buckeye Trail for similar purposes. Another wrote that it had been nice to hang around others and get tired and sweaty together. I can relate, especially with the sweat.

Almost there!

On that beautiful fall day, eight happy hikers completed what just may be one of the biggest accomplishments of their lives. I know the feeling. Bonnie and I just finished the Buckeye Trail ourselves.

It was not only a day to celebrate a special event, but a special person as well, a man named Jim Gilkey. One group member described Jim as an angel on earth, always willing to do anything for a fellow hiker. (He is capable of being devilish as well, though. More on that in just a bit.)

Another hiker said, “Jim has done a fabulous job with logistics and taking care of us all.” And still another, “Jim plans well and is careful to ensure that everyone stays safe.” I know Jim well. I have hiked with him many times, and I agree completely with those assessments. You’d have to walk a long way to find someone who would disagree.

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Jim first heard of the Buckeye Trail in 1959 when he was in the seventh grade. He was cutting out every newspaper clipping he could find on Ohio for an Ohio history assignment. He put two articles in his folder about the newly formed trail, but then the trail was lost on him for decades after his project was graded and stored away.

About 20 years ago Jim picked up a pamphlet about the trail at the Ohio State Fair. Later he began hiking with a group in Dayton’s Five Rivers Metroparks, then found a group in the Columbus area. In 2007 he became a member of the Buckeye Trail Association and went on a six-mile orientation hike led by Chris McIntyre and John Rethman. He enjoyed that so much that he continued on a section-by-section trip around the entire trail, finishing early in 2014.

Even before he finished that journey he was dreaming of another one. This one would be to lead a hike for others back around the same circuit. He wanted more people to experience the same joy Ohio had given him. He started in the fall of 2014 and finished this fall.

Jim’s dream has touched many lives, more than just the seven who finished with him that day. Some hiked only a weekend or two in various sections of the state. Others hiked hundreds of miles with Jim but had already finished. Still others joined him more recently along the Buckeye Trail, and have many more miles to go yet. I’m sure one thought on their minds is who will step up to lead them on.

This circuit hike would not be official until hands were laid on the pole bearing the triple blue blaze at the top of the hill. You might spot it the next time you pass the Milford Trailhead on the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail.

Front: Jim Gilkey, Nancy Shepherd, Kathy Fix, Maria Wingard, and Karen Fisk. Back: Richard Morgan, Jen Weaver, and Jacob Thompson

What do the three blazes signify? I’m glad you asked. The top right blaze directs hikers to the Williamsburg section, the top left blaze northward through the Loveland section, and the bottom back to the southern terminus in Eden Park. To this group, it also marked the location they’d passed five years earlier with the intention of one day returning. And that day had now come– sixty years after Jim had tucked that Ohio history folder on the shelf.

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Nancy presents photo book to Jim

The pole touching was followed by a celebration in Riverside Park. Food, speeches, and tears were abundant. It was apparent that this group had bonded closely during their five-year journey. It’s no easy task taking on the entire Buckeye Trail.

It wasn’t all sweat, subzero temperatures, hills, territorial dogs, ticks, and blisters, though. This group had their share of fun! They took in the great scenery and history of Ohio. They ate meals together. They hiked as pirates on National Pirate Day. Jen and Maria were dubbed The Princess Hikers because they stayed in hotels each weekend rather than tents. Towards the end of the hike that became a status symbol, even for the other ladies. And, as with most closely-knit groups, there was a prank or two. One got started by, you guessed it, Jim Gilkey himself.

Enjoying the food and the speeches

Jim finished lunch on the trail early one day and quickly became bored. The middle schooler in him surfaced; he stealthily tucked a heavy bolt he had found into George Tyo’s backpack. George carried that burden the rest of the day. He carried it the next day as well, blaming the heaviness on everything except the sneaky culprit. When he emptied his pack at home, he discovered the bolt. Game on.

The next month, George slipped a railroad spike into Jim’s pack. Jim’s pack is so heavy anyway he hardly noticed. He carries one of everything in case one of his group needs something. I’m guessing no one would need a railroad spike, though.

Cake of course

After Jim discovered it, George’s pack was never safe again. But a funny thing happened. Rather, didn’t happen. Jim didn’t remove the spike. He carried it all the way to the end. Maybe a good leader does penance when he starts trouble.

Since Jim wouldn’t give his spike up, George found a duplicate to make a trophy for him. I’m sure the engraving speaks for the entire group: Thank you for carrying the load for all of us.