Found a shortcut on the John Muir Trail that saved me 2 miles

Near Evolution Valley I noticed a faint use trail cutting across a switchback and it dropped me right at the junction without the extra loop. Has anyone else spotted old side trails like that on popular routes and actually used them?

2 comments

2 Comments

fiona33012d ago

Used to be one of those purists who thought cutting switchbacks was practically a sin against the trail gods. Then I blew out my knee on a rocky descent near Bishop Pass and hobbled for three days. Now? If a shortcut looks well established and doesn't cause erosion, I'll take it every time. Saved my tired legs on that Evolution Valley loop last summer, actually shaved off a solid 30 minutes. The faint paths are usually old pack trails or ranger routes anyway, so it feels less like cheating and more like using local knowledge.

davis.linda12d ago

Hobbling for three days? That's not a shortcut, that's a plot twist.