Found a short cut on the Appalachian Trail near Shenandoah

I was hiking the Appalachian Trail through Shenandoah National Park last month. Got tired of the switchbacks up Hawksbill Mountain. Found a faint side trail that cut off 0.8 miles. It was steep as hell but saved me 20 minutes. Has anyone else found unofficial shortcuts that actually work?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris9279d ago

I used to think every shortcut off the main trail was damaging to the landscape and should be avoided. But after dealing with those endless switchbacks on Hawksbill myself last fall, I can understand why someone would try a steeper cut like that. As long as it's just a rare thing and not causing erosion, I'd say it's a fair trade for saving 20 minutes when you're already tired.

danielnelson9d ago

Did you read that thing the AMC put out a few years ago about social trails in the Whites? They studied a few spots off the main paths and found that even one or two people taking a shortcut can start a braided trail that just gets wider over time. It's not so much the one-time use that hurts, it's that other people see the cut and follow it without thinking. Your mileage may vary though, I'm not saying you're wrong. Just something to chew on.

parkerbrown7d ago

Buddy of mine did this on the Bonds traverse last year. He was beat, took a shortcut off a switchback to save maybe ten minutes. Thought it was harmless. Came back that same spot three months later and it was a visible rut with new growth trampled down. Other hikers had followed his path. He felt terrible about it. Told me he wished he'd just taken the extra time. Once that cut gets made it's like an invitation. People see a clear line through the brush and assume it's okay. Even if it starts with one tired hiker it doesn't stay that way.