Warning: A thru-hiker called me out on my water crossings and I almost didn't listen

I was planning a solo run on the Ozark Trail last fall and this guy at a gear shop in Rolla straight up told me my plan to cross the Big Piney Creek was dangerous after heavy rain. He said I needed to check the gauge at the low-water bridge first and not just rely on my map. I shrugged it off but checked anyway that morning and the water was moving way faster than I thought. Ended up finding an alternate route 2 miles north that saved me from a bad situation. Has anyone else gotten a piece of advice from a stranger that totally changed your route?

2 comments

2 Comments

troyjackson8d ago

Yeah that water gauge thing is no joke. Back in 2019 I was on the Buffalo River trail and a guy at a bait shop told me to check the USGS gauge before crossing. I thought I knew better but checked anyway and the water was almost 4 feet higher than normal from storms up north. I ended up waiting a whole day and it saved me from getting swept downstream. Real world advice from locals beats a map every single time.

mila_mitchell8d ago

Funny how that applies to so much more than hiking... locals always know the stuff that doesn't make it into any guidebook, @troyjackson.