Warning: That shortcut through the Smokies nearly cost me a rescue

I used to think cutting a mile off my route by taking an unmarked trail was smart. A ranger at the Clingmans Dome visitor center told me to stick to the official AT path because those short cuts usually lead to dead ends or bad terrain. I ignored him and took the so called shortcut last July. Three hours in I hit a steep ravine with loose rocks and had to backtrack almost the whole way. My legs were shot by the time I got back to the AT and I had to stop early. That night I realized he was right and I should have listened. Has anyone else had a ranger give them advice they brushed off?

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the_linda56m ago

Walking that shortcut cost me three hours and a blister but taught me to always listen to rangers.