Can we talk about the time you ignored a 'minor' trail reroute sign?

I was about 8 miles into the Collegiate Peaks Loop in Colorado, feeling good, when I saw a small wooden sign pointing off the main path. It said 'Trail Reroute, High Water' with an arrow. The old trail looked fine (dry, clear), so I figured the sign was old news and kept going. Big mistake. An hour later, I was staring at a washed-out gully about 15 feet wide, with fast, cold water where the trail should be. My map showed the creek crossing here, but this wasn't a crossing, it was a full-on breach. I had to backtrack all the way to that sign, adding over 2 hours and a bunch of lost energy to my day. That 'minor' reroute was there for a very real, very current reason. It taught me to never assume a sign is outdated just because the path looks okay. Has anyone else gotten burned by skipping a posted detour?

3 comments

3 Comments

violaramirez1mo ago

Feel that, learned the hard way too.

henryp401mo ago

So what was your expensive lesson this time? I swear I've paid more in dumb tax than actual taxes.

wadew511mo agoMost Upvoted

Ugh, tell me about it.