This summer, we set out to finally hike Burton Peak—an off-the-beaten-path trail near Bonners Ferry that’s been sitting on my list for way too long. I’d looked it up on AllTrails like I usually do, clicked the map link, and handed over the navigating to technology. Simple, right?
Not so much.
About half a mile too far up the road, the app cheerfully directed us to take a sharp left... into someone’s very much not public driveway. Oops.
My husband Kyle was driving, and he immediately launched into a gentle (okay, slightly smug) reminder that we should have done more research about this. And that made me remember that I used to be so good about prepping driving directions. I’d read reviews of trails, print out turn-by-turn directions from the Forest Service website, and stash a paper copy in the glove box. But now? I click a link and trust the robots to get me there.
The irony is that Kyle works for a navigation app and knows exactly how these kinds of errors happen—especially in remote areas where trail data can be patchy or outdated. And while I’d like to blame AllTrails or Apple Maps entirely, the truth is... he’s right. I’ve gotten a little lazy. More tech doesn’t always mean better planning.
Lesson learned? I’m recommitting to being a more intentional trip planner. Because it turns out that the best hikes start before you ever lace up your boots.
Here are a few things I’m bringing back into my routine for future backcountry outings:
Double-check the Forest Service website for trail and road conditions
Read recent reviews and look at the topo map
Download offline maps when available
Take screenshots of written directions in case the signal cuts out
If in doubt—ask a local ranger station
You don’t need to go full old-school, but a little extra prep can save you from wrong turns and smug spouses (😉 love you, Kyle).
The good news? We did eventually find the trailhead. And Burton Peak ended up being one of my favorite hikes of the summer so far—steep, scenic, with wide-open ridgelines, views of the Kootenai River Valley, and (bonus!) ripe huckleberries along the way.
I wrote about the experience on the blog, complete with trail details and some background on the historic lookout tower at the top. If you’re looking for a hike near Bonners Ferry, I definitely recommend it—just don’t trust your app blindly.
👉 Click here to read the full post on Burton Peak
See you on the trail (or slightly off it),
Andrea