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When I hike, I start the watch when I leave the trailhead and stop it upon my return...is that how everyone else who times their hikes does it? I was just curious if anybody stops and restarts their watch at rest breaks/snacks/photos etc...just curious..

For me it works basically like this... hike my butt off for the first couple of miles, stop for a 5 minute break and ask one of my friends, "what time is it, and what time did we leave the trailhead?"

If I remember a watch I am lucky...

I time the entire trip, TH to TH, breaks are part of the totol time.

I hit the reset trip on the GPS right at the car and count time and mileage from there. I count all the stops / breaks / whatevers in the time except for the break at the top of a mountain. We normally pack a lunch that we have to prepare before we eat and just relax for an hour to two hours sometimes on top of a mountain.

Matt Karls

I don't pay any attention to the time, other than the position of the sun.

Total time from start to finish. Rest breaks, if needed, are part of the hike time.

I usually backpack, so i stop the time when I reach camp, and resume when I hit the trail. So only the long rest stop is not included. :roll:

Wiz wrote:I don't pay any attention to the time, other than the position of the sun.

For common hikes I already know within about 15 minutes how long it will take. I only time a hike when I have other things that have to be done later. I prefer to leave the day open so I can hike as long as I want unfettered with the concerns of time.

Ah, to hike unfettered....

I dont use a stopwatch but I always note the time at trailhead and when i get back. I like to keep a pace of about 4 miles per hour.

Cakewalk wrote:I dont use a stopwatch but I always note the time at trailhead and when i get back. I like to keep a pace of about 4 miles per hour.

4 MILES PER HOUR!! Holy cow! Is that with or without backpack? With backpack, I historically do about 2 MPH. (OK I used to check the time. I just don't care anymore!).

Wiz wrote:4 MILES PER HOUR!! Holy cow!

Ah Wiz, you must understand, with Cakewalk's legs it only takes him about 10 steps to go a mile!!

I'm pretty impressed too! Then again, I don't know what trail he's hiking. When I hit the Supes I typically go about 2 mph. Last RT hike to Phantom ranch I averaged 2.4 mph over the 19 miles.

4 MILES PER HOUR!! Holy cow! Is that with or without backpack? With backpack, I historically do about 2 MPH. (OK I used to check the time. I just don't care anymore!).

No pack, just a water bottle..... the trail in question is in thunderbird park, there are distance markers every 1/4 mile... I pass one every 4-5 minutes, the trail is a 4 mile loop and im usually back at the trail head in 61 minutes. I realize its not a very technical trail - maybe 500 feet elevation gain, but its a good workout.

Cakewalk wrote:

4 MILES PER HOUR!! Holy cow! Is that with or without backpack? With backpack, I historically do about 2 MPH. (OK I used to check the time. I just don't care anymore!).

No pack, just a water bottle..... the trail in question is in thunderbird park, there are distance markers every 1/4 mile... I pass one every 4-5 minutes, the trail is a 4 mile loop and im usually back at the trail head in 61 minutes. I realize its not a very technical trail - maybe 500 feet elevation gain, but its a good workout.

Whew!!! I about had a heart attack thinking that 4mph was normal... I average between 2 & 3.

I'm usually the clock-watcher.

If I am hiking alone my time is beginning to end. I try to break every hour, take in food and water, otherwise I'll forget until it is too late.

If I hike in a group we usually go to a new trail and plan for a long stop/lunch at the mid-point destination to gather in the view, etc. During these hikes I won't count the leisurely pick nick.

BTW I hope Cakewalk does have reeaaallllly long legs...

Cakewalk wrote:

4 MILES PER HOUR!! Holy cow! Is that with or without backpack? With backpack, I historically do about 2 MPH. (OK I used to check the time. I just don't care anymore!).

No pack, just a water bottle..... the trail in question is in thunderbird park, there are distance markers every 1/4 mile... I pass one every 4-5 minutes, the trail is a 4 mile loop and im usually back at the trail head in 61 minutes. I realize its not a very technical trail - maybe 500 feet elevation gain, but its a good workout.

OK, I feel better now! Sounds like you're power-hiking, not poking along and taking pictures like I do.

OK, I feel better now! Sounds like you're power-hiking, not poking along and taking pictures like I do.

Trust me, Im no power hiker. But I am 6'4" tall. But when im alone, I like to keep a fast pace.

I'm pretty much a start to finish total time kinda hiker, myself. Usually I don't bother too much w/ exact minutes/seconds... I'm more of a "well, we started at about a quarter til, and its just about the top of the hour now, so we'll say it was a 4 hour and fifteen minute hike. Yeah, that sounds about right... Good" Real scientific, I know... but I'm just out there to enjoy and have fun. The time is more or less an estimate for planning my day, and knowing what to expect the next time.

jmzblond wrote:The time is more or less an estimate for planning my day, and knowing what to expect the next time.

:idea: Now if only everybody would buy into that and record their times on the triplogs we'd all be doing future hikers a favor

Personally, I record the total trip time. This include breaks within reason and generally taking 50-100 photos.