Off Trail Etiquette

[kingsnake]

Not criticizing anyone, because I am new here, but wondering what the etiquette is for staying only on designated trails versus bushwhacking when bushwhacking is not necessary (e.g., you are lost, or low on water and need to cut a hike short, etc.)? I want to do the right thing, but on the other hand would not mind a bit of exploring.

For instance, last weekend when I was on the Cave Creek - Skunk Tank Loop, I was thinking it might be interesting to go over the saddle south of Hill 4143, then down the spur creek that intersects Cave Creek south of Hill 3402.

[Tough_Boots]

Unless its a fragile and protected area where off-trail exploring is a posted no-no, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I would assume you'd get a similar answer from most on HAZ since many of the hikes listed are off-trail or have off-trail sections.

[chumley]

In my opinion, unless you are in a sensitive area, avoiding the trail is fine unless it is otherwise posted with this main caveat: your hiking off-trail should not result in the creation of a new trail. "Leave no trace" still applies.

This is why hiking off-trail in the immediate vicinity of another trail is generally frowned upon (including cutting across switchbacks).

If I think I can get somewhere and back without somebody who comes after me being able to know it (via destroyed vegetation, footprints in the mud, etc.), or interrupting natural drainage/erosion channels that can affect wildlife habitats, I say go for it! In fact, I prefer that to almost any trail.

[BobP]

From a couple of years ago viewtopic.php?t=3151
I think all off-trail hiking should be outlawed ;)

[kingsnake]

I knew there had to be another thread, just could not find it ...

[BobP]

@kingsnake
Within that thread....there is a link to an older thread and poll.

[Tortoise_Hiker]

@rlrjamy
Yeah right!

[joebartels]

Trails are like kisses, you'll probably want to explore more.

[autumnstars]

Reading about kicking down cairns really made me laugh.
My husband gets sick of waiting for me sometimes while I do this.

[PaleoRob]

I kick on the go.

[The_Eagle]

I think all off-trail hiking should be outlawed

Well said Bobby BushWhack, Well said......

[azbackpackr]

I always say, people who want to ban off-trail hiking (and there are people like that) must therefore also be anti-hunting, anti-peak-bagging, anti-justabouteverything. How tiresome that is... However, I definitely agree with using leave no trace ethics, and not creating new trails, etc.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Solo off trail, not a big problem. As others have mentioned - Just be careful if you are on fragile soil or vegetation. Groups off trail can be a problem. Don't move single file. That can damage the area so that it might not recover and others will trample in your footsteps. Disperse the group. Move like wild animals, not like cattle.

Personally, I never hike off-trail. I just see trails that no one else sees. :A1: That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[sbkelley]

Off-trail hiking definitely opens up more exploration of high places and good views. I've certainly done a good deal of it around here (see: last weekend on Mound Mountain), but stick to ridgetops and wash bottoms when I can. As folks have said, loose dirt, crytobiotic soil and small plants are to be avoided, but it's not hard to do so hiking out in the desert. Just pay attention, use common sense and have fun!

[Jeffshadows]

Many wildernesses in National Parks are off-trail no-go zones, just FYI...

[cactuscat]

but stick to ridgetops and wash bottoms when I can

Those are the best places for off-trail, IMO.

[azbackpackr]

wash bottoms when I can

Ain't English a great language? ;)

[Alston_Neal]

^^^^
Ahem, my wife and I love hiking arroyos, especially after a rain.

[PatrickL]

I much prefer going solo when it comes to off-trail. The few times I've done it with company, they didn't give a pumpkin about where they stepped, which in-turn drove me crazy and turned me into a :SB:. Whenever possible, I try to step on rocks instead of leaving a footprint softer soils that aren't sandy washes. One of these days I'll have to attend a LNT course because I feel like I'm being too paranoid at times. I shudder to think about finding a spot to place a tent when I start backpacking.

[CannondaleKid]

I shudder to think about finding a spot to place a tent when I start backpacking.

Yup, in my estimation I'd say that's too paranoid. While I'm all for the general idea behind LNT, in practice much of the time it can be very unrealistic. For example, where I hiked yesterday a great deal of it flat out was not conducive to leaving no footprints, so I didn't fret about it at all.

Besides, in some places the terrain was so worked up by the passing of various animals it looked like large groups had been through and my footprints wouldn't be noticed among them.

Personally, I feel reducing the litter problem is of way more importance than eradicating human footprints. Speaking of that, I found out the main impetus for the gate on FR219 to Horseshoe Bend on the Salt River being locked 'permanently' is the excessive littering.