I'm Not a Purist

Some thru-hikers have to walk "every inch of trail". Actual trail.

I'm not like that. To me, Mexico to Canada (x2) or Georgia to Maine means walking. Be it the trail, road or some unexpected bushwack.

There are a lot of reasons you can't or won't hike a part of the trail. It could literally be on fire! I missed the halfway marker on the PCT because a fire had just broke out. So we looked at the trail angels map and walked the road around it.

Another time, on the CDT we road walked to an amazing bakery. Huge, cheap sandwiches and cinnamon rolls. It was worth the alternate route. Also the CDT wasn't fully finished and signed, so there were many times what we thought was the trail was really just cow paths. And many alternates.

A bridge could be out or water crossing "impassable". Forest service road could be a little easier (to give your body a rest) or maybe more likely to have water.

As long as you don't hitch ahead, I think it's all good. Hike your own hike of course.

~ Lunchbox