[pct-l] re:Trail Markers

[kmurray at pol.net (kmurray@pol.net)]

In reference to Scott's note, cited below:

Scott, there is certainly a conflict in approaches.  Some feel that there
is no place for signs, at all, in wilderness.  Certainly the philosophy of
the Wilderness Act would indicate that signing should be the minimal that
is neccessary.

Currently, there is someone or several, who is making a practice of
tearing down trail markers in the Angeles National Forest.  They leave a
note saying "No signs in wilderness!!"


Others would say that the PCT is not really a wilderness experience,
anyway.  There is a tremendous effort to do work on the trail, each year. 
Some times that involves dynamite, it certainly involves thousands of
workers.  (the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew (www.trailcrew.org), with
whom I work, takes care of only about 30 miles of the PCT, and has about
300 volunteers, by itself).   There is a very conscious policy of the
various agencies to do some of the work in such a way that you can't tell
work has been done (methods of pruning, for example).  To many experienced
hikers, the PCT has the appearance of a superhighway!  Is this really
wilderness, considering the volume of traffic?

Also is the issue of what actually happens out there.  One cannot follow
this discussion forum, without being impressed by the number of people
(including EXPERIENCED people), who go missing.  Inevitably, there is
debate about whether they missed "that confusing junction".  Some of those
people never turn up.  Huge Search and Rescue efforts ensue.  If a few,
unobtrusive, well-placed signs would avoid all that, I'm not sure I could
argue against that.


Ken Murray

Scott Parks wrote:

David's appreciation of the PCT's beauty is quite evident in his comments.
However, promoting/financing the marking of trail intersections would seem a
small step towards erasing the spirit and beauty of the what the PCT is all
about.

Anyone who has done large portions of the PCT will tell you it is a very
easy trail to navigate. While I have no in-depth knowledge of PCT policy, is
further marking of the trail in the best interest of the trail? Is it in the
best interest of the bulk of the users of the trail?