Took a shortcut on the PCT near Crater Lake and it cost me 3 hours

I always thought I knew better than the guidebooks. Some guy named Dave at the Mazama Village store told me to stick to the rim trail even though it looked longer. I ignored him and took what I thought was a faster cutoff through the forest. Ended up bushwhacking through downed trees and lost over 3 hours finding my way back. Has anyone else learned the hard way that ranger advice is usually right?

2 comments

2 Comments

holly_flores794d ago

Tried that near Mount Whitney once, ended up on a deer trail for 2 hours, lol.

miles_roberts224d ago

Yikes @holly_flores79, deer trails are basically nature's version of a dead end with extra steps.