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?
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.
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.