Creek crossing
Meaning: A point on a trail where hikers must cross a stream or creek, often by wading or rock-hopping.
Creek crossings are the moments on a trail where you find out how waterproof your boots really are. You either rock-hop across (risking a slip), wade through (getting wet feet), or find a log bridge (risky but satisfying). 'How bad is the creek crossing?' is a critical trail question, especially in spring when snowmelt swells streams. Getting wet at a creek crossing is practically inevitable on long hikes. Trail runners treat them as fun obstacles; thru-hikers accept wet feet as a way of life.
Examples
- The creek crossing was knee-deep from the snowmelt — my boots were soaked. 雪化的水让渡溪点齐膝深——我的靴子全湿透了。El paso del arroyo llegaba hasta las rodillas por el deshielo — las botas quedaron empapadas.雪解け水で渡渉ポイントは膝まで水があって——ブーツがびしょ濡れになった。눈 녹은 물 때문에 도하 지점이 무릎까지 물이 차서 부츠가 흠뻑 젖었어.
- She rock-hopped across the creek crossing without getting wet — impressive. 她跳着石头过了渡溪点,一点没湿——太厉害了。Ella cruzó el arroyo saltando de piedra en piedra sin mojarse — impresionante.彼女は濡れずに岩を跳んで渡渉ポイントを越えた——すごいよ。그녀는 안 젖고 바위를 뛰어서 도하 지점을 건넜어 — 대단해.
- We had to ford five creek crossings on that trail. 那条步道上我们得蹚过五个渡溪点。Tuvimos que vadear cinco cruces de arroyos en ese sendero.あのトレイルでは5か所の渡渉ポイントを通らなきゃいけなかった。그 트레일에서는 다섯 군데 도하 지점을 건너야 했어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: hiking, trail conditions, outdoors
Tone: practical, adventurous
✓ Do Say
- How bad is the creek crossing?渡溪点水深不深?¿Cómo está el cruce del arroyo?渡渉ポイントはどのくらい大変?도하 지점이 어느 정도야?
- I got soaked at the creek crossing.我在渡溪点湿透了。Me empapé en el cruce del arroyo.渡渉ポイントでびしょ濡れになったよ。도하 지점에서 흠뻑 젖었어.
✗ Don't Say
- Never attempt a creek crossing in flash flood conditions.在山洪暴发时绝对不要尝试渡溪。Nunca intentes cruzar un arroyo en condiciones de crecida repentina.鉄砲水の危険がある時は絶対に渡渉を試みないこと。돌발 홍수 상황에서는 절대로 도하를 시도하지 마세요.
Origin & History
A standard term in American trail culture, formalized by organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Pacific Crest Trail Association in their trail guides and safety literature. Creek crossings became a prominent concern in the hiking community after the expansion of long-distance trails in the 1960s-70s. Spring snowmelt crossings in the Sierra Nevada (PCT) and White Mountains (AT) are particularly notorious and the subject of annual safety advisories.
Cultural Context
Era: 1900s–present
Generation: All generations
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions with streams — mountain and forest areas
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