Debate: Is it better to stick to well-known trails or bushwhack your own route?

On my last trip in the White Mountains I spent 3 hours trying to find a campsite off the AT because I didn't want to deal with the crowds. But the bushwhacking was brutal and I eventually gave up and hiked back to a marked site. So which side do you lean toward: sticking to established trails for reliability or carving your own path for solitude? Has anyone else run into a situation where that choice took way longer than planned?

3 comments

3 Comments

rubyshah20d ago

Bushwhacking is a gamble for sure, but here's something that rarely gets mentioned. Mapping apps and GPS units lie to you about how thick the undergrowth actually is. That 0.5 mile shortcut on your phone might be through chest-high ferns and deadfall that takes you 2 hours to crawl through. I've learned to check satellite imagery from late fall when all the leaves are down. That shows you the real terrain without the summer vegetation hiding everything. Saved me from a few brutal routes just by looking at December photos in July.

kaih3620d ago

Three hours through chest high ferns sounds like a Tuesday to me. Maybe you're just overthinking the GPS thing.

dianahayes20d ago

Yo @rubyshah ever checked out trail footage from local hiking clubs? I read somewhere that some groups record their bushwhacks and post the videos online, showing you the real deal instead of just maps. It's been a game changer for me when deciding if a route is worth the hassle.