My uncle told me to skip the switchbacks on the Timberline Trail

He said cutting straight up the slope near Ramona Falls would save an hour. I tried it last August and ended up slipping on loose scree, tearing my pack, and adding two hours to my day. Anyone have a bad piece of trail advice they wish they hadn't followed?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_martinez7d ago

Classic uncle advice. Switchbacks exist for a reason, usually a good one. That loose scree is no joke and will wreck your day every time. Learned that lesson the hard way on a different trail. Shortcuts in the backcountry are rarely worth the risk.

mia_hart906d ago

Yeah, I was all about finding the direct line too until a similar mess. Uma_martinez is totally right about why those paths are built the way they are. Now I just trust the trail.

norab217d ago

Oh man, that's the worst. I totally get it, and uma_martinez is right, that stuff will ruin your whole hike. I had a friend tell me to cut across a meadow once to avoid a "boring" forest section, and I ended up waist deep in a hidden bog. Spent the rest of the trip with soaked boots and blisters. Why do we ever listen to these shortcut tips?