Hitchhiking
From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside
WARNING: Hitchhiking is a potentially dangerous activity never endorsed by law enforcement.
If it's so dangerous, why is it listed here? Because a lot of people do it, generally safely. In the context of Trail-Finder.com, hitchhiking is done to get between your car, which is parked at one end of the trail, and the other end of the trail. You have two options:
- Park your car at the finishing end of the trail. Grab your pack, and try to catch a ride to your starting point. This option has the advantage of being clean. Looking like you haven't had a shower in a week isn't likely to help you get a ride. When you get off the trail, your car is also there and ready for you.
- Park your car at the beginning end of your trail and go hike. When you're done, catch a ride back. The advantage of this approach is that you are certain to get on the trail when you want, making it easier to hit destinations, like backcountry campsites, when you want to get there.
Of course, there's always the risk that you won't catch a ride at all, in which case you could have a long walk down the road. To avoid this risk, and the dangers of hitchhiking, many parks offer regularly scheduled shuttle services between major trailheads. Others have arrangements with local cab services or, in some places, even water taxi services. Check the park page on Trail-Finder.com, the park rangers, or the park's web site for what's available.
