This one is great- easy, interesting, and much shorter than the trail, though good navigation is necessary. From the spring work your way up the small tributary with some interesting coal outcrops (including small chunks of amber). One little climb out of this tributary and then one more scramble out of the second drainage (trickiest part will be finding a break in the cliff to regain the bench where the trail is. This route leaves the HDT at Section 5 Mile 37.1 (Mile 227.5) and rejoins the HDT at about Section 5 Mile 40.4 (Mile 230.9). This route is 1.2 miles long, and cuts 2.0 miles off the HDT. Tested. Nicolas Barth Ryan "Tuna Helper" Weidert September 2013