My buddy insisted the Timberline Trail loop was better clockwise, but going counter-clockwise gave us way better views of Mt. Hood after the third river crossing.

Who else has gotten stubborn advice that actually worked out for the better on a specific route?

3 comments

3 Comments

Actually got into a huge debate with a friend about which way to hike the Enchantments core zone. They were all about starting at Snow Lake, but we went Stuart Lake to Colchuck first. The climb up Aasgard Pass in the morning light was brutal but absolutely unreal, way better than doing it tired in the afternoon. Sometimes the "harder" way gives you the best payoff.

calebscott7d ago

Honestly I was the same way about the Wonderland Trail, always told everyone to go clockwise. Tbh a ranger finally talked me into trying it the other way last season and it completely flipped my view. The northern sections were way more rewarding in that order, especially the climb out of the Carbon River. Ngl I felt pretty silly for being so set in my ways for so long.

dylanh816d ago

mia727 mentioned the Enchantments core zone but just a heads up, the Enchantments isn't a loop like the Wonderland Trail. You have to go through it one way unless you arrange a car shuttle or hitch a ride back. Starting at Stuart Lake and going up Aasgard Pass is the usual way most people do it, actually. Going from Snow Lake would mean coming down Aasgard which is steep and rough on the knees. So your friend was probably just confused about the route options.