c/backpacking-routes

A hiker I met on the Lost Coast Trail told me my pack looked way too heavy for my frame, so he showed me how to ditch 8 pounds of stuff I didn't actually need.

Has anyone else had a random trail angel totally fix a gear mistake you didn't even know you were making?

My neighbor, a retired forest ranger, just convinced me to stop skipping the side trails.

We were talking over the fence yesterday and I was complaining about a trip I took on the Timberline Trail last fall. I told him I stuck to the main loop to make miles, and he just shook his head. He said, 'You're missing the whole point. The main trail is just the hallway. The side trails are the rooms.' He told me about a half-mile spur off the main path near Cloud Cap that leads to this tiny, unnamed lake he used to check on. Said he saw a black bear and two cubs there once, just drinking at dusk. It hit different because he wasn't just giving advice, he was describing a place he actually knew from decades of walking it. I've always been so focused on covering distance, I never just... wandered. So I'm planning a trip on the Three Sisters loop this summer and I'm going to build in a full extra day just for spurs. What's the best side trail you've ever taken that wasn't in the guidebook?

How outdated online maps ruined my planned route in the Rockies

I relied on the national forest service's digital map for a three-day loop. Turns out, a major bridge was out, forcing a ten-mile detour. The site listed the route as open with no alerts. Now I mix online planning with recent hiker reports to avoid surprises.

My crew can't agree: sticking to the marked trail or cutting cross-country for that wild feel...

Some argue marked routes keep you safe and on schedule, but others say going off-map gives the real backpacking thrill. Where do you stand on this?

Hot take: Making new backpacking routes isn't always wrong

Last summer in the Wind River Range, the main loop was packed with people. I watched a group leave it to go over a bare, rocky hillside. Everyone says this ruins nature, but there was no soil or plants to damage. I believe if you choose areas with hard ground, it's fine. The real problem is too many folks on one route. Spreading out can reduce wear and tear. It's not a simple right or wrong issue.

Appreciation post: Fall colors on the trail are my favorite, but I need route ideas!

I've always loved the idea of backpacking during peak foliage season. My work schedule finally allows for a trip in early October. Can you recommend a moderate two-day loop in Vermont or New Hampshire?

How a confused moose made me rethink my route planning

I always thought my GPS was perfect for picking backpacking trails. Then I followed it to a dead end where a moose was blocking the way. It just stood there, chewing leaves and staring at me like I was the intruder. I had to hike back three miles in the dark, which was both scary and silly. Now I double-check my path with a paper map before I go. That moose taught me that nature has its own plans. I laugh about it now, but I won't make that mistake again.

Hot take: Trail development has made my old favorite route feel like a city park

I used to hike the Redwood Creek trail and it was just trees and quiet, no signs or crowds. Now they widened the path, put in benches, and you hear music from hikers all the time. It doesn't feel like a real backpacking trip anymore, more like a busy walk. I miss when routes were rough and you actually got away from it all, lmao.

Navigating by landmark memory saved us when tech failed last hike

Old-timers taught me to note rock formations and tree bends. Now I blend that with app checkpoints for foolproof route finding.

Many hikers say go stoveless, but I always bring my stove.

Cooking a real dinner improves the whole backpacking experience.

Following a dotted line on my trail guide got me stuck in knee-deep muck.

Shoutout to the patient planners mapping routes seasons in advance

I've seen more friends sharing their detailed spreadsheets for trips next summer. They're checking weather patterns and trail conditions months out, which is smart but takes so much time. My own Grand Canyon hike needed permits applied for almost a year prior. It's crazy how much waiting is part of the process now!

Tbh, my mom packing a giant first aid kit messed up our mileage

Honestly, she insisted on bringing this huge kit on our John Muir Trail section, and it was so heavy. We had to stop way earlier each day because her pack slowed everyone down. Ngl, it kinda ruined our plan to reach certain campsites. What do you do when family members overpack on a trip?

I hiked the 'Cascade Falls Loop' and saw one tiny trickle.

I'm still confused how they name things!

Sunset camp setup left me with a crooked tent

I was too tired to wait for daylight, so I set up my tent in the dark. Woke up sliding down a slope because I didn't notice the hill. How do you handle setting up camp after dark?