I don't know on saving time. From the clock time on the pictures I took, it took me about 25 minutes to walk from the main trailhead, past the store, up the old trail to the main trail. I was carrying a 24 lb pack, and I stopped to take pictures of the several fallen trees.

Maybe someone else can measure and post their time up the Main Trail to the North Fork crossing. I don't think it saves much, since you are still climbing the exact same elevation, and the 30 switchbacks cover a lot of distance.

I don't think there is any down-side to using the old trail, only it may be slightly steeper. It is a nice variation.

And it hits the main trail just AFTER it crosses the North Fork on the way up.

Edit: Got this via PM (private message -- that blinking flag at the top of the page)
The old trail is 0.3 mile shorter than the main trail. But since you have to walk at least 0.1 mile past the store to the old trail, it is only .2 shorter.

Last edited by Steve C; 05/28/12 08:31 PM.