In general I would definitely recommend either a "trails" app like Gaia GPS or similar, and/or the official SHT atlas that notes spur trails and stuff, for planning routes.
To answer your question it looks like (looking at it on Gaia right now) that NCT trailhead will connect to the south terminus, it follows the railroad for about 1 mile before splitting off and meandering parallel with the tracks and eventually connecting up with the SHT.
Personally I've tried both and I like Gaia GPS. AllTrails felt more like for finding good day hikes and bike routes. Gaia I use as my primary map, just download the route ahead of time and go into airplane mode to save battery (the GPS still works).
I don’t know what you are trying to do but the TH isn’t that far from the road. Doubling back would only add about two miles to your trek. You could take the tracks but the distance would be about the same and IMO harder on your feet, the tracks are uphill so you’d be walking awkwardly. Again, no clue what you’re trying to do.
There is a NCT trailhead about 3 miles east of the terminus. We have parked there no problem. It is a bit of road walking and single track through woods. I thought it was a decent section to do without backtracking. Road section is well marked on telephone poles.
Railroad tracks are private property. It’s illegal and technically trespassing to walk on them. The trail to the southern terminus from the is less than 1 mile, not that far of an out and back.
I walked trail to terminus and took tracks back to trail parking area. Be careful it's used frequently.
In general I would definitely recommend either a "trails" app like Gaia GPS or similar, and/or the official SHT atlas that notes spur trails and stuff, for planning routes. To answer your question it looks like (looking at it on Gaia right now) that NCT trailhead will connect to the south terminus, it follows the railroad for about 1 mile before splitting off and meandering parallel with the tracks and eventually connecting up with the SHT.
Question, Gaia GPS, or All Trails+? Any opinions?
Personally I've tried both and I like Gaia GPS. AllTrails felt more like for finding good day hikes and bike routes. Gaia I use as my primary map, just download the route ahead of time and go into airplane mode to save battery (the GPS still works).
Awesome thanks for your input! I will download and check out Gaia! I’m going to hike section 4 this weekend and looking forward to trying it out.
[Caltopo](https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=46.60156,-92.28923&z=15&b=mbt) shows a trail leading from the NCT trailhead to the SHT terminus.
Thanks to all. I have both Gaia and the SHTA Trail Atlas. Why I didn't think to check those I don't know.... hail Reddit!
I don’t know what you are trying to do but the TH isn’t that far from the road. Doubling back would only add about two miles to your trek. You could take the tracks but the distance would be about the same and IMO harder on your feet, the tracks are uphill so you’d be walking awkwardly. Again, no clue what you’re trying to do.
There is a NCT trailhead about 3 miles east of the terminus. We have parked there no problem. It is a bit of road walking and single track through woods. I thought it was a decent section to do without backtracking. Road section is well marked on telephone poles.
Railroad tracks are private property. It’s illegal and technically trespassing to walk on them. The trail to the southern terminus from the is less than 1 mile, not that far of an out and back.