I hiked in yesterday (Monday) along the Bradford Ridge Path. My first time at the hot springs and it was awesome --- a beautiful day, very few people (but very friendly) and the hike was a good workout both ways.

But even having read all these posts, I couldn't figure out what to do "after the barbed wire." I descended (inside the wire) down the shortcut --- no problem. When it came time to leave, I thought I'd find the main BRP junction with the PCT that would be less steep. So I passed the place where I had hit the PCT and kept going downhill. I then passed a steep trail that seemed to be going straight up a ridge, but thought that couldn't be it (too steep). So I continued downriver for 30 minutes but didn't see anything more promising. I backtracked and took the steep trail up the ridge. It worked out OK but was definitely a pump. And I arrived at the barbed wire from the same direction I had taken on the shortcut.

Is there another trail somewhere? Or was I on it? After passing the barbed wire I didn't see any obvious path either straight ahead or to the left --- only to the right (which I took). Please clarify! Thanks.