c/backpacking-routes

Tried a new route in the Sawtooths and got way more than I bargained for

I planned a three day loop near Redfish Lake, but a washed out bridge forced me onto a different trail. That detour added about five extra miles and took me past this hidden alpine lake I never would have seen otherwise. It was a tough climb but the view was totally worth the extra effort. Anyone else had a trail closure turn into a good surprise?

Tried a 'shortcut' off the Colorado Trail near Twin Lakes and ended up bushwhacking for two hours.

The line on my map looked clear, but the actual slope was a dense mess of downed trees and scree. Anyone have a good rule for trusting those dotted lines on older topo maps?

Met a guy on the PCT who said my route plan was 'cute'

Ran into him at the Cascade Locks resupply, and he scoffed at my 15-mile days, saying real hikers do 25 minimum. It just killed my vibe for the whole afternoon... anyone else deal with that kind of gatekeeping on trail?

Serious question, has anyone else had their water filter freeze solid on a cold morning in the Rockies?

I was 3 days into a solo trip near Maroon Bells last October when my Sawyer Squeeze turned into a block of ice overnight, forcing me to melt snow for 6 hours to get enough drinking water.

Heads up on the East Fork trail in the San Gabriels

Last week, a huge chunk of the main trail washed out about two miles past the bridge. We had to backtrack three miles in the dark because the detour wasn't marked. Anyone know if the ranger station has an update on the repair timeline?

Just got back from a 4 day loop in the Wind River Range. Saw something wild.

Hiked the Cirque of the Towers loop last week. On day two, we took a wrong turn near Lonesome Lake. Ended up on this old game trail. It cut a solid 3 miles off the next day's climb. Totally unmarked on any map I had. Anyone know of other hidden shortcuts in that area?

Tried the classic John Muir Trail permit lottery versus a walk-up in the Ansel Adams Wilderness

I spent two years trying for a JMT permit and never got one. Last August, I just drove to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and got a walk-up permit for the Silver Divide loop the same day. The scenery was just as good, with way fewer people. Has anyone else had better luck with walk-up permits in the Sierra over the big name lotteries?

Tried the classic John Muir Trail permit lottery versus a walk-up in the Ansel Adams Wilderness

The walk-up at the Agnew Meadows ranger station got me on a trail in 20 minutes, while my friend waited 6 months for a lottery denial. Anyone have a go-to backup route when the main permit doesn't work out?

My cousin swore by taking the 'shortcut' over the ridge on the Timberline Trail loop. We got caught in a whiteout.

Heard a couple of younger hikers talking about the John Muir Trail like it was just another trail to tick off

I mean, it made me think about how planning for the JMT used to be this whole big thing with paper maps and waiting for the mail. Now you can get a permit online and see a million trip reports before you even pack. It just feels different, maybe less of an adventure? Anyone else get that feeling about the old way of planning a big route?

Just finished the Timberline Trail vs. the Three Sisters Loop

I hiked both loops in Oregon this summer, and the Timberline around Mt. Hood was WAY better for views and campsites. The Three Sisters route had way more mosquitos and long stretches of burnt forest that were just sad. The difference was having reliable water sources every few miles on Timberline, which meant I could pack 2 liters less. Anyone have a favorite high-alpine loop in Washington they'd put up against it?

I was totally wrong about the Teton Crest Trail being overhyped

I hiked it last July expecting crowds and disappointment, but the scenery past Hurricane Pass completely changed my mind. Has anyone else had a route prove them wrong like that?

Took the 'easy' route in the Smokies everyone recommends and it was a total letdown

Everyone online said the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte was the best intro hike, so I planned my whole 3-day trip around it. The trail was so crowded I felt like I was in a line, not the woods, and the views were just okay. I ended up cutting over to the quieter Brushy Mountain trail on day two and had a way better time with no people. Has anyone else found the popular routes are overrated and have a better secret spot?

Overheard a guy in Moab say the only real route is off-trail

I was grabbing a coffee at the Moab Diner last week and this guy at the next table was going on about how marked trails are for tourists. He said, 'If you're not making your own line through the canyon, you're just walking.' It got me thinking about how much we rely on guidebooks and apps. I've done the Chesler Park Loop a dozen times, but maybe he has a point about missing the adventure. Has anyone else ditched the planned route and just gone for it, and how did that turn out?

Pro tip: The Teton Crest Trail is way better if you go south to north

I hiked the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming twice, once north to south and once the other way. Starting at Teton Village and ending at String Lake, you get the big views of the Grand Teton right in front of you for the last two days instead of having them behind you. It makes the whole 40 mile trip feel more rewarding. Anyone else have a route they always do in one specific direction?

The trail marker at mile 17 on the Lost Coast Trail is completely wrong

It points you inland when you actually need to keep going north along the beach for another half mile. Has anyone else run into this and know if it's a permanent mistake or just recent vandalism?

My buddy called my route planning 'a straight line on a map' after our trip in the Wind River Range

We did a 5 day loop last August and I just picked the shortest distance between points. He pointed out we missed three amazing lakes and a hot spring because I was so focused on miles. Now I spend an extra hour with the topo map looking for cool stuff near the trail, not just the trail itself. How do you balance getting places with finding the good spots along the way?

TIL a ranger in Yosemite told me my 18-mile day plan was 'route vandalism' and it changed how I plan trips.

He said my aggressive itinerary on the Cathedral Lakes loop would cause more trail erosion and social trail creation, so now I cap my daily mileage at 12 and build in a zero day, but some of my crew thinks that's overly cautious-what's your take on balancing ambitious routes with trail impact?

Showerthought: The trail to Blue Lake is not the same as it was two years ago

I hiked the Blue Lake loop in the North Cascades last month and compared it to my photos from 2022. The main campsite near the water is now about 30 feet further back from the shore because of erosion. Rangers told me a big storm last fall washed out a big piece of the bank. It changed where you can safely set up a tent and filter water. Has anyone else noticed a spot on their favorite route that changed fast?

Finally dialed in my water carry for desert trips after a few close calls

I keep seeing people on trail forums say 'a liter every 5 miles' as a hard rule for water planning. That almost got me in trouble on the Lost Palms Oasis loop in Joshua Tree last spring. It was only 7 miles, but with full sun and 90 degree heat, I went through 3 liters before the halfway point. I started tracking my actual consumption with a simple notepad, and now I plan by hours in the sun, not just miles. Has anyone else switched to a time-based system for dry climates?

A ranger in Yosemite told me 'the best route is the one you don't see on the map.' It got me thinking about trail purism vs. exploration.

Rant: My 'shortcut' on the Lost Coast Trail added 2 hours last month

Tbh, I tried to cut off a big bend near Shelter Cove by following a faint game trail marked on my old map. It turned into a nasty bushwhack through thick poison oak and deadfall that totally wasn't worth it. Anyone know a reliable way to spot which of those old trails on paper maps are actually still passable?

Took a wrong turn on the Eagle Rock Loop and ended up finding a better campsite

Got turned around near the Little Missouri River crossing, thought I was lost. Instead of backtracking, I followed a faint game trail up a ridge. Found a perfect flat spot with a view of the whole valley, not marked on any map. Anyone know other hidden spots in the Ouachitas?

Showerthought: People keep overlooking the east side of the John Muir Trail

I mean, everyone talks about the Whitney Portal start, but I've done the route from Cottonwood Lakes three times now and the views are way better, plus you avoid the worst of the crowds. It adds maybe 15 miles total, but you get a full day of quiet hiking before hitting the main trail. Has anyone else tried starting from the east and noticed a big difference?

TIL a ranger in Yosemite said the best time for the Mist Trail is after 4 PM

Honestly, I always pushed to start at dawn to beat the crowds, but he said the afternoon light through the spray is unreal and way fewer people. Anyone tried hitting popular spots later in the day?