That statement strikes me as naive. And, it seems to me that Tobe is not much of a trail walker.ABC News February 2020:
"Unless someone absolutely somehow studied that [trail] in great depth, they would not know specifically where certain things were," added the sheriff.
As a seasoned trail walker, I say with confidence that all one needs to do is walk a trail once to remember it generally, and remember it specifically if it has features such as the MHT. So, I discount that observation.
It seems to me that it could have been somebody that walked the trail once, even many years ago.
It also could very well be somebody who never walked this specific trail before, but who is a trail walker with experience exploring new trails....and experience walking across bridges. Heck, the kids in Stand By Me did that.....granted that was almost a disaster but it was a fictional adaptation.