Found a secret side trail off the Appalachian last month that changed my whole route

I was hiking the AT near the Virginia/Tennessee border about 3 weeks ago, just north of Damascus, and I stumbled on this unmarked path behind some rhododendrons. It was barely visible, like an old game trail, but I followed it for maybe half a mile and it opened up to this little waterfall with a swimming hole nobody else was at. No blazes, no sign, just pure luck I spotted it. Turns out an old timer at the hostel later told me it was an old logging road from the 40s that hikers used to use before the official trail got rerouted. I spent like 2 hours there just cooling off and eating trail mix, totally worth the detour. Has anyone else found random off-map spots like that on longer routes?

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_robinson204d ago

Three weeks ago I found ticks there and regretted everything.

mileslane4d ago

Man that sucks. I had a similar experience once in some tall grass and I was paranoid for weeks checking every little spot on my legs (even the ones that were just freckles). Hope you didn't end up with any sick days from it.

simonk984d ago

DEET wipes and a full body check in the shower saved my sanity after a similar hike.