I was recently working in an area near Ouachita NFs Flatside Wilderness in western Arkansas. There we’re only about 8 plots to complete (maybe 2-3 hours worth of work) in the area.
I left the truck and started towards the nearest ridge where the first few plots were to be located. There, through short fits of light rain, I came across a narrow hiking trail marked by faded blue blazes.
It would be easier to let the trail lead me to the plot points instead of bushwhacking off trail, so I started following the trail along the ridgeline.
After a few hundred feet, the trail started to drop below the ridge and away from the intended plot points, but I kept following it.
Before long I came back up the ridge but had walked beyond the area I was meant to work in. But by then, my curiosity was piqued.
How much further would this trail lead? Where did it go? Was there a scenic view or a glorious waterfall at the other end? I wanted to know.
Have you ever followed a hiking trail without knowing exactly where it was taking you? The further I walked the more I wanted to find out where it led.
I can imagine someone getting lost from following a trail too far, especially if they started late in the afternoon and didn’t plan their trip to arrive back at the trailhead before dark.
There is a strange pull that a trail can have if you are anticipating some kind of reward at the end. Something to signify accomplishment or closure that is always around the next bend.
For me, I ended up hiking about 4 hours out and back out of the way. But, these trail wanderings are not necessarily a bad experience.
In those 4 hours, I happened to come across a hiker’s shelter in the middle of the woods.
What’s great about following a trail is it allows you to turn off your internal navigation and let your mind wander. When bushwhacking my mind is constantly assessing whether or not I’m going in the right direction.
On trails it’s much easier to slip into a hypnotic state, especially longer trails.
I continued past the shelter and eventually found a small trailhead situated near a forest road.
From there I decided to finally start heading back. The trail back took much long, probably because by then, I was exhausted.
About an hour and a half later, I was back at the truck, sweating and almost out of water. But long walks can be so rejuvenating.
I never did accomplish any work that day, but I found a new trail and a welcoming resting spot at the shelter.
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