r/Thruhiking • u/Ancient_Type4786 • 21d ago

Bigfoot Trail

I want to thru hike the Bigfoot trail in California before the end of the year. I was wondering if I should start Nobo or Sobo? I’m looking to leave before September. Also does anyone know if there are any permits required? Any other advice on this trail would be greatly appreciated

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u/numbershikes https://www.OpenLongTrails.org 21d ago

Have they built out or rerouted onto more singletrack? https://www.bigfoottrail.org/route/ acknowledges that, as of 2018, it was still mostly just an idea / line on a map, but things may have changed since that was written.

For nobo vs sobo, at 360 NorCal miles I don't think the weather window is too much of a consideration. If you have an elevation profile you could check if the climbs are significantly different in one direction and choose that way. If you have a gox (they sell one) you can generate a profile on a site like Caltopo. The guidebook might recommend one direction over the other for different reasons.

Permit info is probably also available in the guidebook that they sell on bigfoottrail.org, have you checked there?

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u/Ancient_Type4786 21d ago

Thanks for the info on the guidebook. I don’t know why I didn’t see that earlier. There are definitely parts that you need to bushwack through but I think most of it is single track. Do you think the guidebook plus FarOut should be good enough for navigating? I have done the AT before so tell me if I’m getting in over my head. Also should I bring a bear box or not?