Blazes - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Is the PCt as well marked at the AT? Thanks.

manfire

#2

Unfortunately some areas of the PCT seem to be over blazed. You can’t get lost on the trail. Not enough major trails intersecting it at all that show as much use as PCT. Usually when confused just look for more tread wear or hoof prints from stock users to lead the way. The few confusing spots had a blaze a little way down the trail. For as much as I am annoyed by the Wilderness press guide book maps, they do let you know when studied carefully which way a trail takes off from a junction of two or more trails. Just look at the topos. I would hate to see more blazes on the trail they thoroughly detract from the wilderness feel. Hydro and I only had to backtrack one time in 5 months, when we got confused in the near zero visibility in the Goat Rocks way up on the glacier section, after some considerable debate and map refrenceing we saw we were both right on the issue. I wanted to stay on hiker PCT Hydro wanted to take stock PCT around a glacial cirque. It’s all part of the fun I guess.

If people reading this are blaze happy, please dont make the big “i” on the living trees. They’re having a hard enough time fighting bark beetles, infection and other drought exasberated issues as well. If you just have to put these blazes up just hang a shiny diamond or a PCT blaze. One of the parks I think Lassen had parts of liscense plates way in the trees. Some fool tagged every wooden junction sign last year with PCT and arrows. 100’s of tickets should be written to (allegedly it was YOGI according to some) for that. The Forest service signs were plenty fine. Then some jerk turned all of her PCT’s to RQI’s with additional arrows. This evolved to the North with variations incorporated into words like “imPOTence valley” Humor was a part of the situation I guess. :cheers

Guino

#3

Actually I think the PCT needs A LOT more blazes. While the main trail is fairly worn, there are many sections where the trail is not obvious. In southern California, for instance, the trail interesects numerous jeep trails.

I also remember the road walk near mojave dam was a little unclear. The sign pointed in the right direction but there wasn’t another sign for over a quarter mile. I remember having to walk back thinking I over shot the trail. For some reason, I have most of my problems near roads. It also doenst help when the “well-worn” trail has been criss-crossed dozens of times by ATVs and dirt bikes.

In the Sierras the problem is more to do with being above tree line and the need to use cairns. sometimes the Cairns can be hard to see or pick out from the surrounding rocks.

I think the PCTA needs to undertake an organized blazing program to prevent rogue elements from doing there own blazing. Personally I’m happy for these extra blazes. People are only doing it out of frustration and a desire to help other hikers from repeating there own mistakes. When you’re solo hiking and your running low on water, a wrong turn can easily lead to major problems.

jalan jalan

#4

I’m not saying we need blazes every 20 yards like you see on the AT but they should put extra blazes up where the trail is confusing, where the “worn tread” is obscured by rocks or grass and where there are interesections, especially when the trail doesn’t stay straight at the intersection.

Rmememer, not everyone is 25 yearsold with 20/20 vision and people have varying degrees of directional sense.

jalan jalan

#5

Blazing trees is illegal and has been so for at least twenty - twenty five years. It’s a $500 fine (per blaze) if you are interested. In order to preserve a more “natural” state, the USFS has (in our region anyway)
removed quite a few helpful signs & let many others rot away. The trails are oriented toward people out for a hike, not blasting through on a mission (PCT hikers).

Daniel Smith