Ah it took me a minute but I see what you're getting at. In case anyone else feels confused like me, the path must flood a bit there when it rains and so that small offshoot path is from people walking around a big puddle.
this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025
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Desire Paths
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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path
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Oh I love everything about this picture very much.
I was reading about trail etiquette and saw the recommendation that if you must walk on muddy trails, walk straight through the mud, not around it. Otherwise, some trail sections will get wider and wider, disturbing more of forest.
People are not always prepared to walk through mud, though. And sometimes a small re-route around a low spot is a stable change and not ever-widening.
Still, the idea got me thinking. Now on trail runs I’m more inclined to plow straight through.
Now on trail runs I’m more inclined to plow straight through.
One of the best runs I can remember, is the only time I got stuck in mud. I was worried about heavy feet and getting wet and cold, but I felt invincible, because of the surprise that it didn't bother me and had a new PB.
Very nice