By Walt Zyznieuski

Marked trails a 'must' in today's parks

You just started hiking on a trail and before you know it you are heading off into the forest—on the wrong trail and in the wrong direction. You have been hiking on the trail for a short time and soon you run into another trail that is unmarked. You don't know what direction to turn. Sound familiar? Walt Zyznieuski discusses ways to correct these situations and put your trails in order.

Hikers, horseback riders, bikers and cross-country skiers are four types of trail users that may be using the trails at your park. As a park administrator or site superintendent, you may not realize that your trails are marked improperly or, in some instances, not marked at all. There are proper ways to mark trails and a variety of literature that deals specifically with trail marking and maintenance techniques. Much of the information written for hiking trails can apply to other trails as well.

In Illinois, there are over 800 miles of hiking and backpacking trails. These trails vary in length from short nature trails to trails more than 80 miles long. Trails are located at State parks and conservation areas, Shawnee National Forest, forest preserves, park districts, municipal parks, county parks and on private land-holdings. Some of these trails are marked with trail signs or markers. Others are not marked at all. If you are currently thinking about replacing trail signs or markers, or installing them for the first time, carefully consider what trail signs and markers are needed in your district.

There are two basic parts to the signing program: (1) markers to indicate the locations of the trails themselves, and (2) directional signs that indicate the user's location on the trails and distance and direction to other points (California Department of Parks and Recreation, 1978). Markers are used to identify the trail and may be either metal markers attached to trees or paint blazes applied to trees or other permanent structures along the trail. The blaze is the primary and most important method of unmistakably indicating the trail route (Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism).

Trail signs may be made out of wood or metal and usually have the

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 September/October 1984

trail layouts painted on them. Some have the trail name(s), mileage and/or direction on them. Trail signs may be located at the trailhead, at trail junctions or other pertinent areas along the trail.

The Pennsylvania Division of Recreation recommends eight guidelines for those involved in marking trails.

1. The number of signs should be held to an absolute minimum.

2. Signs should be placed along roadways prior to reaching trailhead parking areas in order to identify the particular facility and trail type.

3. Blaze marks should be placed at eye-level whenever possible. Marks should be repeated at approximately 100-foot intervals and should always be placed at intersections to distinguish specific trails.

4. Blazes should be placed in fore and aft directions. In this way, they can be used regardless of the direction of travel.

5. Avoid overblazing. It can become an unsightly distraction.

6. If the trail has a broad, clearly defined and well-maintained tread, place blazes only at points of possible uncertainty. They should appear often enough to reassure users that they are on the trail.

7. Abrupt changes in the spacing of blazes should be avoided.

8. Paint blazes are used not only to designate the main route of the trail, but also to indicate side trails leading to shelters, springs and other facilities. Such trails should always be blazed by using a different color, distinguishing the side trail from the main one. Side trails to overlooks and principal intersecting trails should be blazed in the same manner.

Trail marking is designed for the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with the terrain. This should be the guiding principle as trails are marked (Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism).

Another important consideration for trail marking is selection of the correct paint color for blazing a trail. The best colors to use are blue, red, yellow, white and orange (Proudman and Rajala, 1981). Remember that the main trail should be blazed in one color. A second should be used for secondary trails.

There are a variety of good source materials available for more information. A few of them are:

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. "Arkansas Trail System Maintenance Manual." Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

California Department of Parks and Recreation. "Hiking and Equestrian Trails in California." Sacramento: Department of Parks and Recreation, 1978.

Pennsylvania Division of Outdoor Recreation. "Non-Motorized Trails/An Introduction To Planning and Development." Harrisburg: Division of Outdoor Recreation, 1980.

Produman, Robert D. and Rueben Rajala. "Trail Building and Maintenance." Appalachian Mountain Club, 1981. 2nd Edition.

Trail markers that are seen along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail in northern Illinois

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Walt Zyznieuski is a resource planner for the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. He holds a B.S. in geography and environmental planning from Southern Illinois University and has also done graduate work at Sangamon State University. He had been involved in land use planning and recreation development planning prior to his employment with the State. He has authored a number of informational booklets and environmental reports for the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. He is also a coauthor of Illinois Hiking and Back-packing Trails, which will be published by Southern Illinois University Press and released in the spring of 1985.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 September/October 1984