Good point actually, that makes a lot of sense.
unexposedhazard 46 points a year ago
Or there was a barrier of sort there before, but now there isnt anymore.
glimse 3 points a year ago
Hmmm maybe, but the left is on a slope. The real path is lower, why wouldn't the rain pool there?
Here's a baseless guess: someone dumped something big on the trail there for awhile and a path formed from the detour and never went away
owenfromcanada 53 points a year ago
The real path is the one that floods. When it's wet, people use the desire path to avoid the puddle.
King_Bob_IV 4 points a year ago
It's still possible that the main trail is lower in the middle than on its right edge witch would still cause a lot of mud with a good rain
NigelFrobisher 110 points a year ago
The main path has a puddle there after rain. Source: British.
undergroundoverground 11 points a year ago
As another British person, that was the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture and I came here specially to make the same comment you did.
morgunkorn 63 points a year ago
it looks like there could have been metal posts at these spots, maybe a fence to only let pedestrians through, and cyclists started going around
morgunkorn 11 points a year ago
if you know the original location, maybe check on street-view / satellite views. Google Earth also has the option to check older footage
maltimore 8 points a year ago
I found the exact location for anyone interested: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RtuV3jA3MskYCgvE9
The desire path can be seen on streetview.
morgunkorn 7 points a year ago
very cool! I looked in the city archives, there were building projects in 2011 and 2019 in that area, but there was no documentation about this particular spot, only that the way was too narrow and the surface material not adequate.
TheOctonaut 18 points a year ago
Those are just leaves. No local authority would leave twisted metal pole bases ready to slice people's heels. Surely...
morgunkorn 10 points a year ago
good point! TÃœV sagt nein.
Tarquinn2049 23 points a year ago
Could have been tree overgrowth that has since been pruned.
Gloria 22 points a year ago
I do not think in the mud puddle theory. There is a moat right to the right where rain would drain. There is also no depression for holding any puddle.
I think there is a depression in the treeline and grass and also slightly on the road. I would say that there has been a broken/bend tree/bush laying in the way for over a year and was recently removed. There is no debre left, as the grass was also cut recently by a machine that also could have picked up any leaves.
supersquirrel 15 points a year ago
...wait this isn't secretly a minelaying tips community is it?
cannedtuna 9 points a year ago
Maybe shared pedestrian & bike trail? Bikes going around people
AnarchistArtificer 5 points a year ago
That sounds like it must be a satisfying hobby/quest/occupation.
adhocfungus 7 points a year ago
If this is in the US I would guess the city put a giant flashing "Share the Road" sign there for a while and everybody had to go around.
desire_paths
@sh.itjust.works
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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path
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desire_paths
@sh.itjust.works
2940
96
1
Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path
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Low spot on the trail. When it rains, mud pit.
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