We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail
Table of Contents
Overview
The We-Hin-Ay-Pay, which means rising sun, is a 5.2 mile trail that traverses the Dan Beard Scout Reservation. It can be hiked in various ways:
- The Red Loop is the full We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail. It traverses Camp, Cub World, and Camp Craig and is 5.2 miles in length. This distance in includes a mile out and back to the shooting sports area within Camp Friedlander which contains some of the historical camp ruins. The trail begins and ends at the We-Hin-Ay-Pay in the middle of camp entrance circle. There is a trail information kiosk on the west side of the entrance loop.
- The Blue Loop (also known as the “Webelos Trail:”) traverses Cub World and Camp Craig and is in length. This trail begins and ends to the right of the main camp entry gate. A trail information kiosk is currently being constructed at this locatio.
- The Camp Friedlander Loop just traverses Camp Friedlander and is 2.7 miles in length. It starts at the We-Hin-Ay-Pay in the middle of the the camp entrance circle and follow the red loop to the climbing tower, cut across using the blue loop trail past the COPE course, and then use the end of the red loop trail to finish back at the original starting point.
The trail loops are marked using square posts with the tops painted orange that contain round trail markers of the appropriate colors (i.e., red and/or blue) for the loop. The full loop train is also marked with round We-Hin-Ay-Pay markers on the trail posts. The trail is meant to hiked in a counterclockwise direction, but it’s possible to hike in the opposite direction by using the map and looking for the trail marker posts. However, the posts are only blazed with markers on the one side at this time intended to be seen when hiking the trail in a counterclockwise direction. More information is available in the Trail Maps section below.
Groups should adhere to the following trail manners:
- The day use hiking reservation allows for 25 participants, but please try to hike in groups of no more than 10-12 if possible.
- Proper uniforming is strongly recommended and encouraged.
- Always stay on the trail and do not cut any switchbacks.
- Right of way should be given to those hiking up hill.
- Practice the Leave No Trace principles at all times.
If maintenance is needed for any camp facilities or the trail itself, please submit a ticket using the Work Request Portal:
We-Hin-Ay-Pay?
The We-Hin-Ay-Pay is a symbol brought into use by Arthur E. Roberts, and each color symbolizes a different quality: red for blood, the heart and life; white for purity; green for nature and blossoming manhood; and the rising sun on the blue sky since the sun represents honor and fidelity.
The We-Hin-Ay-Pay is also the totem of Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge, Order of the Arrow (OA). The We-Hin-Ay-Pay trail is administered and maintained by the OA Trail Crew under the supervision and authority of the DBC Camping and Properties Committees.
BSA Historic Trail
The We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail was approved as a BSA Historic Trail by Scouting America on 7/29/2024. This designation enables it to be used to fulfill requirements for the Historic Trails Award.
The Historic Trails Award was created to “bring appreciation to the ideals, principles, and traditions that have made our country strong; requirements emphasize cooperation between historic societies and Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units, which should establish a close relationship with a local society as soon as possible when planning a historic activity—most communities have such societies.”
Historic Trails Award Requirements
To earn the award, members of your unit must plan and participate in a historic activity. A unit historic activity requires members to:
- Locate a historic trail or site and study information relating to it. The information may be obtained from an adult historic society, public library, or people living near the trail or site.
- Hike or camp two days and one night along the trail or in the vicinity of the site.
- Cooperate with an adult group such as a historic society to restore and mark all or part of this trail or site. This may be done during the hike or overnight camp. Or, cooperate with such a group to plan and stage a historic pageant, ceremony, or other public event related to this trail or site—such an event should be large enough to merit coverage by the local press.
- Your unit leader must then file the Historic Trails Award application with your local Council service center.
- Once the application has been approved, the Historic Trails Award patch can be purchased at the Scout Shop and presented to the youth and adult partcipants that completed the requirements. The patch is for equipment decoration only and should not be worn on the uniform, even in the temporary patch location on the right uniform pocket.
Trail Maps
The GPS overview maps and orienteering map PDF in the Overview section at the top of this page are slightly out of date due to some ongoing construction in Cub World. Therefore, updated GPS maps are provided below and include points of interest (POI) waypoints. Elevation profiles are also shown.
We-Hin-Ah-Pay Trail – Red Loop
Length – 5.2 miles
Points of Interest (in counterclockwise order)
- POI #1 (start/finish) – The We-Hin-Ah-Pay
- POI #1.5 – Dining Hall/St. George Chapel/Lake Henry
- POI #2 – The Dining Hall
- POI #3 – The Campfire Bowl
- POI #4 – The original location of Camp Edgar Friedlander
- POI #4.5 – Devil’s Backbone/Agony Trail
- POI #5 – Protestant Chapel
- POI #6 – Lake Marge Unnewehr Schott
- POI #7 – Camp Lower Craig (a.k.a. The Peterloon Fields)
- POI #8 – Cub World
- POI #9 – Ranson Family Cemetery
- POI #10 – Camp Craig
- POI #11 – Camp Friedlander
We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail – Blue Loop
Length – 2.8 miles
Points of Interest (in counterclockwise order)
- POI #8 (start/finish) – Cub World
- POI #9 – Ranson Family Cemetery
- POI #7 – Camp Lower Craig (a.k.a. The Peterloon Fields)
We-Hin-Ah-Pay Trail – Camp Friedlander Loop
Length – 2.7 miles
Points of Interest (in counterclockwise order)
- POI #1 (start/finish) – The We-Hin-Ah-Pay
- POI #1.5 – Dining Hall/St. George Chapel/Lake Henry
- POI #2 – The Dining Hall
- POI #3 – The Campfire Bowl
- POI #4 – The original location of Camp Edgar Friedlander
- POI #4.5 – Devil’s Backbone/Agony Trail
- POI #5 – Protestant Chapel
- POI #6 – Lake Marge Unnewehr Schott
- POI #11 – Camp Friedlander
History
There is quite a bit of history to explore when it comes to Dan Beard Scout Reseveration and the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail including the following items:
- Morgan’s Raid/Devil’s Backbone/Agony Trail – During the Civil War, Camp Dennison was established at the site of a small settlement in the Little Miami River valley. It was used as an army hospital and training camp. Artillery training consisted of firing cannonballs into the cliffs on the opposite river bank. This land overlooking Camp Dennison was used by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan to stage an attack on the camp as part of Morgan’s Raid in 1863. Years later, a shelter was constructed overlooking the river and scouts enjoyed digging into the hillside in search of Civil War cannonballs. Many also took on the challenge of climbing the rocky hillside feature known as Devil’s Backbone. A hiking trail was established in the 1970’s, known as the Morgan’s Raiders Trail, but was later renamed the Agony Trail. Blue triangle trail markers can still be found all around camp.
- The Ranson Family Cemetery – Little is known about this cemetery as it was a small family cemetery used in the 1800’s. Even early records only have a few names off of headstones that were readable 100 years later. Some of these names are Sarah Ranson, Catherine Ranson, and Belinda McGill.
- Camp Edgar Friedlander – Camp Friedlander was established in 1919, with a gift from Edgar Friedlander, who was a prominent local businessman and member of the executive committee for the Boy Scouts in Cincinnati. The camp has expanded, seen structures built and torn down, operated various programs, and adapted to meet the needs of the Scouting program over its 100 year history. It is now one of the oldest scout camps in operation and hosts one of the premier programs in the region. Ruins from the original Camp Edgar Friedlander can still be found along the trail.
- Camp Lower Craig (a.k.a. The Peterloon Fields) – This land was part of a gift of 300 acres by Cincinnati businessman Henry Yeiser. The primary use of the open fields at the far Southern end of camp property has been the hosting of the Peterloon camporee. Peterloon began in 1927 at the Peterloon Farm in Indian Hill, owned by John J Emery, but was moved to Camp Craig in the 1960’s and has been there ever since. Peterloon occurs every two years (on the even-numbered years) and is the longest running BSA encampment in the USA.
- The Little Miami State and National Scenic River – Designated in 1969, the Little Miami River was Ohio’s first state scenic river and later achieved national designation in 1973. Views of this beautiful river can be seen at various points along the trail.
Learn more about the historical significant of these items and more in the the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail POI document.
Be Prepared
The Scout motto is “Be Prepared” and the first principle of Leave No Trace (LNT) is “Plan ahead and prepare.” The information below should help you prepare for your visit to Dan Beard Scout Reservation to hike the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail and enjoy the other facilities that the camps have to offer.
Submit Reservation
The We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail is fully located on Dan Beard Council property and traverses through all three camps located within the Dan Beard Scout Reservation. It is essential to make a reservation to hike the trail using the button to the right. This ensures that the camp and trail are available for use during the desired time, proper permission is given, and that the necessary insurance coverage is available. This reservation is necessary in addition to any other reservations that you might have for the trip (e.g., campsite).
There is no cost to hike the trail. There may be additional costs for the reservation of campsites or other camp facilities. Use the button to the right to verify the availability and cost of camp facilities.
Please contact the DBC Scout Achievement Center at (513) 577-7700 if additional information is needed.
Be S.A.F.E.
All Scouting America activities, including hiking the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail, should follow the four points of S.A.F.E.:
- Supervision – Always maintain two-deep leadership.
- Assessment – Consider travel logistics, weather, training (e.g., first aid), etc. prior to departing for the hike.
- Fitness and Skill – Review the trail distances and elevation profiles and deterimine the they are appropriate for the participants.
- Equipment and Environment – Participants should dress appropriately for the activity and proper uniforming is strongly recommended and encouraged.
Use the link to the right to view the full S.A.F.E. Checklist.
If emergency assistance is needed during the hike, please call 911, if necessary, and contact the Campmaster immediately at (513) 831-8311.
In addition, the Guide to Safe Scouting, Youth Protection, and Barriers to Abuse must be followed. Important considerations for a hiking trip/activity include, but are not limited to the following:
- Guide to Safe Scouting > Activity Planning and Risk Assessment – Daily hiking should not exceed fourteen miles or twenty-five miles for two-day hikes.
- Guide to Safe Scouting > Transportation
- Annual Health and Medical Records (AHMR) – The trip leader should have an AHMR, Parts A and B, for every participant (youth and adult).
- Scouting America membership – All current membership guidelines for the appropriate program (e.g., Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts) must be followed.
- Two deep leadership – Each unit must have at least two registered adult leaders that are at least twenty-one years old and have completed Youth Protection Training (YPT). At least one must be female if any female youth are participating.
- Appropriate supervision – There should be enough adults present to properly supervise the number of youth present.
- Buddy system – Each Scout must have a same-gender buddy; groups of two or three are allowed.
Celebrate and Share
Once your unit has completed the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail, you are invited to celebrate and share your adventure!
Log the Adventure
It is very important to know how much the trail is being used and if there are any concerns or other feedback. Please use the link to the right to add your hike to the Dan Beard Council Adventure Log. Thank you!
Support the Trail
Celebrate the success of completing the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail with optional awards such as a trail medal or patches. These items are available for purchase by anyone in person at the Camp Friedlander Trading Post (if open) or online in the Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge Trading Post. It is not necessary to purchase a trail patch in order to hike the trail. In addition, youth should not have to pay for a trail patch before it is earned, if the unit is including its cost in the overall cost of the trip/event per National BSA requirements.
Proceeds from the sale of these items benefit the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail and help to cover the costs of administering and maintaining the trail.
Note: There is no patch or other award item for the Camp Friedlander Loop only part of the trail.
Service Opportunites
A trail is never finished… Maintaining a trail takes time, effort, and a lot of help! The We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail is completely contained within the Dan Beard Scout Reservation which is owned by Dan Beard Council. The trail was built and is primarily maintained by Ku-Ni-Eh Lodge, Order of the Arrow (OA). If any problems are discovered with the trail or if your unit would like to help with a trail maintenance project, please contact the OA Trail Crew.
Resources
Camping and chapel areas are available within any of the three Council camps:
- Camp Friedlander
- Camp Craig
- Cub World
Use the button to the right to search for availability and to make a reservation.
The closest church for Catholic religious services is St. Gertrude Church in Madeira, Ohio.
Other activities in the area include:
- Little Miami Bike Trail
- Morgans Canoe and Outdoor Adventures (canoe rentals on the Little Miami River)
- Lake Isabella (fishing)
- Camp Dennison Memorial Park
- Camp Dennison Nature Trail
- Kelley Nature Preserve
Nearby services include:
- Village Grocery
- UDF and BP (gas)
- Midwest Best BBQ (and other restuarants)
- Kroger and Meijer (groceries)
- Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowe’s
- Hilton Garden Inn (hotel)
Reference
The following books and other reference material were used to identify and authenticate the historical significance of the camps, trail, and surrounding areas:
- Lora Schmidt Cahill, and David L Mowery. Morgan’s Raid Across Ohio: The Civil War Guidebook of the John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail. Lulu.com, 2014.
- Horwitz, Lester V. The Longest Raid of the Civil War. Farmcourt Publishing, 2001, p. 126-130.
- Lowery, David L. Morgan’s Great Raid: The Remarkable Expedition from Kentucky to Ohio. The History Press, 2013, p. 87-95.
- Noem, Shane. On This Ground: The History of Camp Friedlander. DBCCSAA Publishing, 2019, Chapter 3.
Below is a collection of trail materials that are referenced and linked on this page: