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HitTheTrail Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5452 | TRs | Pics Location: 509 |
When Steve and I were hiking up to Pomas Pass yesterday I started seeing trees with a double blaze. The top blaze was small and the bottom one larger. Steve said he had read an old off-trail route finding book years ago that talked about the style of old blazes. The double blaze was used to show it was a trail blaze and not a natural scar. Interesting.
Double blaze Older double blaze Yet another double blaze And another Burned double blaze
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Brian Curtis Trail Blazer/HiLaker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 1696 | TRs | Pics Location: Silverdale, WA |
That is quite true. Blazes should also show ax marks (as all your examples do). Those trees would have all had blazes on the back side, too. Those blazes would point to the next blaze in line.
that elitist from silverdale wanted to tell me that all carnes are bad--Studebaker Hoch
that elitist from silverdale wanted to tell me that all carnes are bad--Studebaker Hoch
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Kim Brown Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 6900 | TRs | Pics
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Usually two chops like that mean "straight, to the next blaze." If the next blaze is the same, keep straight. When you see a triple blaze, it's a switchback, so look uphill and behind you for a double chop, and go up there and to the next blaze.
This isn't a consistent method on all old trails,but I have seen it on several including remnants of old trails now rerouted in the suiattle watershed. Snowy Creek (Smithbrook) has double and triple blaze as well, though many blaze trees have fallen in the last decade or so.
I love seeing them! Thanks for the photos!
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
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jinx'sboy Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 927 | TRs | Pics Location: on a great circle route |
The classic 4" or so 'short' above a 8-12" 'long' scar was a common USFS trail blaze. I'd guess from about the 1930's to maybe the early 1960's?
I used to see it a lot. Including scars that had bark growing over them....
Thankfully....we mark trails, today, with less impact!
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Bernardo Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2174 | TRs | Pics Location: out and about in the world |
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Bernardo
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Sat Aug 19, 2017 8:00 pm
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The Appalachian Trail is blazed with rectangular white paint marks. One means carry on, two means turn. Blue and yellow paint indicate something off the main trail such as a path to a spring.
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RodF Member
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 2593 | TRs | Pics Location: Sequim WA |
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RodF
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Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:25 am
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See the 1935 USFS Forest Trails Handbook
"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir
"the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir
"the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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Leafguy Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 525 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
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Leafguy
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Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:26 pm
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Thank you for providing that. Some good reading.
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Pyrites Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Posts: 1879 | TRs | Pics Location: South Sound |
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Pyrites
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Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:34 pm
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The problem is that once you recognize them you'll see them all over the NW.
Keep Calm and Carry On?
Heck No.
Stay Excited and Get Outside!
Keep Calm and Carry On?
Heck No.
Stay Excited and Get Outside!
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