Below are just a few short tips around the reasons for marking your trail, the various ways to do so, and some best practices tips.
Why Mark a Trail?
Marking your trail can help you do the following:
1. Prevent getting lost: A easy-to-spot trail marker helps you stay on track and find your way back in case of bad weather, darkness, or unfamiliar terrain.
2. Save energy & time: Your markings will give you comfort that you will be able to find your time back, rather than spending time guessing if you are on the right track.
3. Help others: Marking your trail can assist other hikers, search parties, or rescue teams in locating you in case of an emergency.
What are Good Methods to Mark a Trail?
There are different ways to mark a trail, but at the end, the type of terrain, weather, and your personal preference will help determine what's best in your situation. A few popular options include:
1. Cairns: Stack rocks or stones on top of each other to create a visible marker. This method makes sense in rocky terrain and on high-altitude with low vegetation.
2. Flagging tape or reflective trail markers: Use brightly colored tape or unique trail markers to mark trees, branches, or even rocks. This method tends to work well in forested areas and is easy to remove. In fact, remove the trail markers your brought with you on your way back out!
3. Blazes: Paint marks on trees, typically 2-3 feet off the ground. This method is often used in dense forests and popular on long-distance hikes.
4. Arrow markers: Line up sticks or rocks to create large arrow-shaped markers, indicating the direction of the trail.
NOTE : You can also create a digital record of your route using a GPS device, so-called GPS markers!
Best Practices
When marking a trail, here are a few things to remember:
1. Mark your trail often: Leave a trail marker every 10-15 minutes or at every junction or turn.2. Use durable materials: Choose materials that can last for an extended period in various weather conditions.
3. Be mindful of the environment: Try not to damage trees, plants, or wildlife habitats when marking your trail.
4. Remove markers: If possible, remove your markers on your way back to minimize impact on the environment.
Happy trails and a safe journey!