{"id":10896,"date":"2023-07-29T16:13:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-29T23:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/?p=10896"},"modified":"2023-07-30T07:17:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T14:17:25","slug":"report-the-360mi-bigfoot-trail-ate-me-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-the-360mi-bigfoot-trail-ate-me-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: The 360mi Bigfoot Trail Ate Me Alive"},"content":{"rendered":"O<\/span>n Sat, Jul 22, 2023, I started (see announcement<\/a>) for an unsupported<\/a> attempt of the 360 mile (580 km) Bigfoot Trail<\/a>. That didn’t go well. I failed rather miserably and regrettably. This was supposed to be a dress rehearsal and confidence booster for the next big(er) thing. It wasn’t. I failed because of underestimating the trail, the heat, the pack weight, and overestimating my capabilities. You can call it poor planning. I blame my spreadsheets. In any case, it was yet another humbling learning experience.\n
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I failed to complete an unsupported Bigfoot trail<\/a> FKT.<\/p><\/div>\n

The trail<\/h3>\n

The 360 mile (580 km) Bigfoot Trail<\/a> in northern California\u00a0is one of America’s underrated long-distance hiking trails<\/a>. The trail was originally proposed by Michael Kauffmann in 2009 as a suggested route to navigate the Klamath Mountains<\/a> from south to north as well as a long-trail to introduce nature lovers to the biodiversity of the region.<\/p>\n

The trail begins in the\u00a0Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness<\/a> and ends in the Redwood National Park<\/a>\u00a0at the Pacific Ocean near\u00a0Crescent City, California<\/a>. A major focus along the trail is conifer diversity, passing 32 species in 360 miles (580\u00a0km). The route crosses six\u00a0wilderness areas<\/a>, one\u00a0National Park<\/a>, and one\u00a0State Park<\/a>. Northwest California’s\u00a0Klamath Mountains<\/a>\u00a0foster one of the most diverse\u00a0temperate coniferous forests<\/a>\u00a0on Earth,\u00a0and this route is intended to be a celebration of that biodiversity.<\/p>\n

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The Bigfoot Trail route. Source: WP<\/a>. License: CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Day 1<\/h3>\n

It was clear to me from the beginning and from the (limited) recon that the Bigfoot Trail<\/a> is not the PCT. Instead, it is a “[…] route description as a suggested way to travel, by foot, through the Klamath Mountains. The route is comprised of existing hiking trails and vehicle roads on public lands as a legal rights-of-way.”<\/p>\n

Driving to the start was already quite the adventure. I left the trailhead at 4am sharp with a pack that weighed more than 40lbs. Needless to say that the going was painfully slow. I kept moving and figured every step would be a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

There was more water on day one than I had expected. However, the heat was really getting to me and affected my speed greatly. I cranked out 37mi, which was a real struggle, given the heavy pack, the trail conditions, and the heat. 37mi was just barely over my worst case spreadsheet scenario. But alas, things would only get worse.<\/p>\n

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At the southern terminus of the trail by the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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4am: At the start…<\/p><\/div>\n

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Making my way through the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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It looks better than it was.<\/p><\/div>\n

Day 2<\/h3>\n

The morning hours were nice and cool, yet, within a few hours of sunrise, the temperature was frequently well over 100F, especially in exposed areas or burnt forests. A lot of road was waiting for me on day 2 and 3. I was unable to make it to Hayfork and called it a day a few miles before town. Once again, I had just done about 36mi, barely the worst case scenario, for which I did not have enough food.<\/p>\n

Day 3<\/h3>\n

Day 3 started with a cute fox following me and screaming several times. This was the first time I had heard a fox scream. The scream is not as bone-chilling as a cougar scream.<\/p>\n

Otherwise the day turned out to be a terrible road day. I did 39mi on roads, mostly paved. That completely ruined my feet and mind. I guess roads are the curse of most long-distance trails. To connect wildernesses and other fabulous areas, you often have to deal with gravel or paved roads that connect these areas. It’s the price of admission, so to speak.<\/p>\n