Hiking loops
Two-day hiking trip with figure 8 loop at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Tom Steinstra recently wrote about his four favorite hiking trails in the San Francisco bay area and he started the article by noting one thing all four hikes have in common: they’re all loops. If you’re a hiker like me you already know that hiking loops (figure 8s included) are simply more interesting and offer a greater sense of accomplishment than boring out-and-back trips where you plod over the same trail twice.
To me there has always been something special about loop trails, I guess because there’s always a sense of adventure in anticipating what’s around the next bend. And when hiking trail loops have a “recommended” direction of travel that means you’re less likely to encounter other hikers unless you’re overtaking them on the trail. Solitude and adventure - now those are good reasons to go hiking!
Unfortunately a couple of societal trends are working against the good old trail loop. For one, folks are becoming used to instant gratification so trails that lead to scenic spots (like waterfalls) are often direct out-and-back trails to minimize trail time. Even hiking loops with a waterfall, say 1/3 of the way around the loop, will see much more impact on the first third of the loop since many will choose to go out and back on the short side of the loop.
Loop trails also tend to be more of a commitment than out and back trails. On a hiking loop you’re committing to moving forward the whole time and completing a circuit. On an out and back trail it’s easy to decide you’ve had enough and turn around before reaching a dead end. Out and back trails can also be dangerous for those who don’t gauge their own stamina or remaining daylight properly, leading to a dark or painful walk out.
As a teenager I once went mountain biking with some friends on an out-and-back trail and we all felt great riding to the end of the 6 mile trail. On the way back, however, it was clear one of our friends just didn’t have the endurance to make it back on his own and after carrying him to the (now dark) parking lot he was rushed to the hospital due to dehydration. The lesson here is that you may feel great going out but remember you’ll end up hiking double the distance by the time you’re done.
Loop trails will always be my favorites for hiking and biking since I never know what I’ll see next!
Related posts:
- Hiking on the edge
- Night hiking
- Adventurous Escape – Hiking the Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park in Door County Wisconsin
- Hiking trails to attract tourists
- American Hiking Society Supports 10 Favorite Hiking Trails
Tags: figure-8, loop, out-and-back, trails