Appalachain trail markers

trail markers

Is it easy to get lost on any of the most popular hiking trails in the United States?

Most of the popular hiking trails in America are very crowded during the hiking season which lasts from late February to early November. During this time it is very unusual to walk along the trail and not pass several people each day.  Very few people hike during the winter months.  Special preparation must be made during this slower time.  Often I have enjoyed sharing company along the trail, and other times I just like the solitude of hiking alone.  In order to solo hike in the winter you must be an experienced hiker.  Map reading, directional orientation, and compass reading are a few skills you need to keep you on the trail.  You cannot depend on always finding a trail marker to lead your way.  Markers may be worn away, eaten by animals, or torn down.  Fortunately so many people have hiked the Appalachian Trail that the trail is well worn into the earth, and it is hard to stray from the path.  During the fall and winter months, when leaves and snow cover the ground, it's harder to see the trail.

To keep from getting lost you must follow a few guidelines.  Pre-planning is a must for any hiking/bicycling trip.  You must tell someone when, where, how long the trip will take, as well as when you plan to begin the trip.    The use of proper equipment will make the hike much more enjoyable.

Detailed maps have been published for almost all the major hiking trails in the United States.  These maps include water sources, places to stay, post offices, stores, elevations, emergency contacts, and roadway crossings.  Most hikers hike at a rate of two to three miles per hour. Young hikers cover about fifteen to twenty-five miles a day.  Older hikers usually hike ten to fifteen miles a day.  There is a saying on the Appalachian Trail, “Hike your own hike.”  Do not let a fellow hiker determine your hiking speed or distance; maintain what is comfortable to you.

Appalachian Trail Official Maps--Appalachian Trail Conservancy, New York-New Jersey Maps 1,2,3, and 4.  Exploring the Appalachian Trail Mid-Atlantic States by Scherer and Hopey.

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion by the Appalachian Trail 
Long Distance Hikers Association,  AAA New Jersey Pennsylvania State Series Road Map

Hiking The major trails

 Many of the major trails like the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails are marked with signs or colored blazes.  A blaze is usually a six inch by four inch rectangular mark painted at varying distances on trees.  At times signs are placed on the trail at key locations.   Signs may often be destroyed by animals or vandals.  Every trail may have its own unique colored blaze the entire length of the trail.  White is the color blaze for hikers along the Appalachian Trail (AT).

White Blazes: As mentioned, these blazes mark the AT trail. The single white blaze is most common, but a double white blaze (two blazes stacked on top of one another) indicate a sharp turn in the trail.  White blazes are the best friend of the AT Thru-Hiker, as they usually clearly show the way. However, white blazes can become faded over time, and if a trail maintainer isn’t there to refresh the paint, they can be worn away completely.
Blue Blazes: A blue blaze is a spur trail branching off of the Appalachian Trail. Blue-blazed trails could lead to a vista, water source, shelter or campground, or some unusual natural feature. The blue-blazed trails may be dead ends, so that it would be an out and return walk to something like a vista.  Or, a blue blaze can be an alternate route of the Appalachian Trail, where you would leave the trail and then rejoin it a mile or two further down the path.
A blue blaze is basically used to mark just about any trail that isn’t the Appalachian Trail (or some other named trail).  It’s likely that the trail leads to a really great spring or some awesome overlook.
Yellow Blaze/Brown: A yellow-blazing means a horse trail or bicycling trail.  Usually on the trail the horse rider has the right-of-way and then the bicycler, followed by the hiker. 

A typical white colored blaze
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The Blaze May Be On the left or the right.  Notice how well worn the trail is.

When the trail crosses a pasture, special steps are used to keep it secure.

Bridges are used to cross streams.

More complex bridges are used to cross larger streams.

Rocks are used for markers where there are no trees.

A directional change to the right

Occasionally you will be asked to record your name on a pad in a box.  This is one way to help track hikers on the trail.
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If there are no trees or large rocks the trail may be marked using piles of smaller rocks called cairns.

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4.