Backpacker's America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Backpacker Magazine Oct 2008 listed America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes : Click Here for Article
What do you think ?

The Key:

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sbkelley · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 284 Location: Tempe, AZ

Hmmm...interesting...

Bright Angel got a pretty high danger rate, which at first surprised me, but I suppose when you consider the high volume of ill-prepared hikers, ease of access, and weather during the time of year when most go, I could buy that.

I've done four of those (Buckskin, Barr Trail, Bright Angel, Muir Snowfield), and only Buckskin struck me as remotely dangerous. Muir could be a navigation nightmare in a snowstorm, though.

Hey, I don't see the Four Peaks Motherlode on that list. It needs a new category.
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GTG · Posted: 11/14/2008, 1:12 pm Post subject:

I'll agree on the Mist Trail and Bright Angel as they are the only ones I have hiked. BA for the reasons stated above and the Mist Trail for the absolute slickness of the trail, especially during rain as some of us can atest.

GTG
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Trishness · Posted: 11/14/2008, 6:03 pm Post subject:

I've only hiked two of these myself....Bright Angel and Mt Washington. Bright Angel for the reasons that Todd and sbkelley stated. I'm sure there are more difficult trails in the GC but aren't included on this list because they aren't as heavily visited by inexperienced hikers/tourist.

Mt Washington may not be the tallest mountain but I can tell you it probably made this list due to the severity of the weather that occurs up there. I did this hike a long time ago and it gains 4300 feet in 4.2 miles, 2500 in the last 2 miles after reaching the headwall of Tuckerman's Ravine. I think Heidi has been up a couple of different ways but it is all steep.

Mr. Green

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Desert-Boonie · Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 219 Location: Glendale, AZ

Interesting...........

I like how they put the predator danger in there. Guess I will not be going to Montana for any solo hikes.
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Wow, sounds better than the bucket list!

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

From those that I've talked to who've been the The Maze, the top rating there is probably justified. I am surprised about the inclusion of the BA on there. Even with all the "unknown" and extreme weather possibilities, the heavy patrols on the trail, the PSAR folks seem to cut down on the danger factor some by turning back/helping those in trouble. From my time down at the Canyon, it seems like a lot more people die falling off the rim than hiking the BA. Does that make the Rim Trail more dangerous?
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desert spirit · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Tucson, AZ

Climbing up/down the Maze Overlook is hard work, but I didn't think it was particularly scary. I thought it was fun!

Angel's Landing in Zion ... now that sucker is scary. But what a view!

threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

I have hiked 3 on the list, but Mt. Washington was the scary one with the surprise Microburst that decided to roll in when I was only one mile from the top.

This is the only hike I ever did where I actually thought I was going to die. I even cried.

Crying or Very sad

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Trishness · Posted: 11/16/2008, 5:29 pm Post subject:

kurthzone · Posted: 11/16/2008, 9:02 pm Post subject:

Seems to me the trail to summit of Half Dome is a lot more dangerous than Bright Angel. Predator factor of 3 on BA? What is that, charging ringtails?
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Al_HikesAZ · Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 263 Location: Scottsdale, AZ

PageRob · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 859 Location: Page, Az.

Matt Hoffman · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 701 Location: Grantham, NH

As usual, I was going to argue about how stupid this list is, but then I thought about the factors that went into it. So, I think it's an "ok" list, but the order is out-of-wack.

I've only done 3 of these, Half Dome, Buckskin, and Bright Angel. I think Bright Angel should be near the bottom as well as Buckskin. Half Dome should be way up there. Those cables are kind of scary and falling there is not an option. The only danger I can see at Buckskin is a flashflood. And Bright Angel... while I understand the scope of this list (really, I do), could they have picked an easier trail. Bright Angel may as well be paved. I suppose Backpacker was trying to do the Park Service a favor, and scare away stupid people, but I think lists like this just attract more.

It's good to see a trail in TN on the list. I'm not too far away from there now that I'm in Ohio. I just added Abrams Falls to my list of things to do! And Mt. Washington would be sweet! I'll have to try to make it over there.

I hiked trail here in Ohio a couple of weeks ago that had lots of !Danger! signs at the trailhead. The trail went back to a "cave" and traversed through the cave like a big "U". It was supposed to be cliffy, but it was really just steep slopes off the left side of the trail. My wife was hesitant because she knows someone who slipped and fell and got really hurt here. It was a joke. I don't think I'll ever find something dangerous in Ohio. Sad

This is that scary cave!
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

What about Angel's Landing at Zion?

I think Bright Angel is on there because it's easy to go down the trail and that's the direction people go first.......way down the trail and then the average tourist just can't haul themselves up and out....maybe?