Off Trail Etiquette

Hiking Related – Not Trail Specific

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 Linked Guide  • Cave Creek / Skunk Tank Loop, AZ
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kingsnake
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Off Trail Etiquette

Post by 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. :-k

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.
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by PatrickL »

I agree that littering is a larger issue that should be priority over a shoe print. I don't know... Literal footprints in some situations are probably where I hit the mark of paranoid. Only example I can think of is a bathroom break at the White Tanks one day. The soil was relatively soft and covered in green grass. Stomping through it didn't feel right.

The tent thing is what gets me, though. I see pictures all the time of tents placed in grassy areas/meadows (sometimes above treeline) and it makes me wonder. Though well-intentioned, I am probably ignorant.
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by Tough_Boots »

Littering is definitely never okay. I have to admit, though, to leaving many footprints and busting my way through a lot of stuff. Bushwacking is bushwacking.
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by SuperstitionGuy »

Tough_Boots wrote:Littering is definitely never okay. I have to admit, though, to leaving many footprints and busting my way through a lot of stuff. Bushwacking is bushwacking.
Tough_Boots bushwacking does not leave footprints!
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by sneakySASQUATCH »

@SuperstitionGuy
I leave toe prints. :sl:

@Tough_Boots
Does Bronco Canyon Coopers Forks count as a Bushwack? :D
:o
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by Tough_Boots »

@bart01
Only if you follow Outlander! :o
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by imike »

SuperstitionGuy wrote:
Tough_Boots wrote:Littering is definitely never okay. I have to admit, though, to leaving many footprints and busting my way through a lot of stuff. Bushwacking is bushwacking.
Tough_Boots bushwacking does not leave footprints!
BOOT PRINTS, THINK BOOT PRINTS! :sl:
Effective bushwhacking leaves blood! Are we supposed to be wiping all that up!!
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Re: Off Trail Etiquette

Post by The_Eagle »

imike wrote:Effective bushwhacking leaves blood! Are we supposed to be wiping all that up!!
I sure hope not. :)
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