Sticking to the path isn't just about not getting lost.

I used to take shortcuts on steep trails to save energy. It dawned on me that this causes erosion and kills off fragile plants. Do you have any tricks to resist the urge to wander off the marked trail?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

brian5727mo ago

Totally feel you on how tiny choices add up. I started treating it like a rule I can't break and now it's just automatic, lol.

4

the_jessica7mo ago

Backpacking in the Smokies last fall, I saw how shortcuts left big ugly scars on the hillside. My trick is to treat the marked trail like a mission in a game where going off path means failing. It sounds silly but it works for me because it makes following rules fun. I also take a sec to look at the tiny plants right by the trail and think about how they'd get crushed. After a while, my brain just auto-corrects and I stop wanting to cut corners. Plus, staying on trail lets me see all the cool stuff the park folks meant for hikers to see.

2

angela_allen537mo ago

When I was in the Smokies last fall, I saw those ugly scars from shortcuts too. Your game mission idea is actually really smart, it makes boring rules feel like a challenge. I always try to remember that every step off the path messes with plants that take years to grow back. After a few hikes, my brain started yelling at me if I even thought about cutting switchbacks. It's cool how staying on trail shows you the best views the planners picked out. Honestly, more people need to get that our tiny choices add up to big damage.

8