Tried a 'shortcut' on the Timberline Trail and it nearly got me stuck overnight

Honestly, I was trying to cut off about 2 miles near Cloud Cap by following a faint game trail marked on an old map. Ngl, it turned into a steep, loose scramble and I lost the path completely in a boulder field. Has anyone else had a bad experience with that specific section and know the actual safe way through?

4 comments

4 Comments

adamt841mo ago

Stick to the main trail there, those old maps are dangerous.

mark_green1mo ago

What do you think happened to my old boots? Yeah, followed one of those faded map lines last fall looking for a shortcut. Ended up in a creek bed with one shoe full of mud. The main trail is looking pretty good right about now.

richard_young801mo ago

You were out there with only one shoe for how long?

sammartinez6d ago

Good grief, that "faint game trail on an old map" bit really got me. I can't believe people still rely on those decade-old topo maps with all the faded markings. They're practically worthless once the snow melts and the terrain shifts. That boulder field near Cloud Cap has swallowed more than a few hikers who thought they were being clever. I'm honestly just glad you made it back in one piece, sounds like it could have gone a lot worse.