owens.laura•1mo agoProlific Poster

I decided to try a 'shortcut' on the Timberline Trail last week and ended up wading through a creek with my pack over my head.

4 comments

4 Comments

Honestly, that sounds like a solid move. Sometimes the official trail just wanders around for no good reason. If you can see a clear path and the water isn't moving too fast, why not cut across? Getting your pack wet is a small price to pay for saving an hour of hiking. People act like every step off the trail is a death wish, but a little common sense goes a long way. I've done it a bunch of times and never had a problem.

torres.riley11d ago

Wait, you mean walking in a straight line is actually allowed? I thought we all signed a contract at the trailhead that required us to follow every pointless switchback until our legs gave out. Last time I cut across a dry creek bed, I swear a ranger materialized out of thin air and gave me the stink eye for a full minute. Some people act like the woods are a museum and the trail is the velvet rope.

tessap971mo ago

Right? @flores.mark gets it.

wood.jana1mo ago

Exactly. People make it sound way more dangerous than it is.