Mr. Jimmy Legs and I used to hike this as a much less crowded alternative to the Maple Pass trail. Recently a popular social media platform began to have a lot of frequent posts about Cutthroat being "mind blowing", etc., but saying the trail was still less crowded than Maple Pass. Tips were being thrown out to get there by 7 am. In October of 2022 we arrived at the Cutthroat trailhead at around 7 am and easily found parking right next to the trail head loos. This year we arrived at 6:15 am only to find the lot full. Not wanting to be part of a potential problem of blocking in a horse trailer in the lot, we joined the cars parked along the hwy adding about 1/2 mile to our hike. Still, we hoped the main crowds were mostly going to Maple Pass as in the past.
The trail was probably the most crowded we have ever experienced in our 40 years of hiking! Descending was like trying to weave through a stream of spawning salmon. We met some very friendly wonderful people, however we also saw folks far off trail in the heather taking pictures. There was a tent that looked like it was set up on top of the heather as well. There were a few extremely loud people who made hiking near them very unpleasant.
Here are some tips from this curmudgeon:
Please stay on the trail so that the fragile eco systems can survive to be enjoyed by future hikers.
We all have conversations as we hike, but please be respectful of others who may want to hear the birds and not your conversation 100 yards away from you.
Horses have the right of way to hikers. If its safe to do so step off the trail downhill from the horse and speak in a calming voice. Do not try to pet the horse without asking the riders permission. Also, if you see a horse trailer in a parking lot remember to leave space for the rider to reload the horse and maneuver out of the lot.
And lastly, if you see that cars are parked for miles and miles at a trailhead have a plan B and even a plan C. This website has a hike finder feature that you can select for fall color, kid-friendly, etc. There can be great joy in discovering other beautiful hikes that may not be getting as much love or as many posts on social media. I know that is what we will do.
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Comments
I can’t believe others would share fun hikes with each other and didn’t know to ask your permission first!
Posted by:
kerryblue19 on Oct 08, 2023 07:09 PM
I don’t think this poster said anything about it being an issue that someone posted about the hike, kerryblue19. The problem is when the people who see those posts aren’t respectful of the space and area. People were parked directly next to stop signs, no parking signs and guardrails. That is illegal and a safety issue. People were stopped mid trail, refusing to let others pass because they were taking photos and also because they simply didn’t want others to pass. The trail was littered with dog poop bags and people climbing off trail to take photos.
I have no problem sharing the trails with anyone who wants to enjoy them. It’s about being respectful of the outdoors and others which I can say, a lot of the people enjoying this trail this weekend we’re not.
Posted by:
BigginsB on Oct 09, 2023 09:18 AM