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  • Trailhead Signs

    I have noticed lately that trailhead signs, both original F.S. wood placards and recent additions (such as the yellow "temporary" signs and the little metal "T"s I've been making) have been disappearing from trailheads.  S. Cottonwood Meadows, Rho Creek, Fish Creek Mountain, High Lake - all missing signs that were there recently. 
    In the past, signs seem to have been shot up.  But these are just gone.  Are people protecting "secret" trails?  Keeping ATVs away?  Or just bored and need some casual vandalism?

    I guess this is nothing new for the district.  I rarely see new signs errected; perhaps this is because it's not worth the effort?  Or is it budgetary?  When visiting other districts I'm envious of their shiny new signs, free of bullet holes and easy to read.  It's a shame we can't do the same thing in our home range.  I certainly can understand the ATV concern, this has become an epidemic in wild lands nationwide.  In fact, I just read an article describing this sort of damage in the pine barrens of New Jersey.  I was shocked to read the same issues we struggle against in our district.

    Any thoughts?

    Trailhead Signs
  • Re: Trailhead Signs (#)
  • 5/28/09; 7:26:12 AM ¦ by Rob Williams
  • Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything that can be done except more active "patrols" of the district.  I doubt that will happen due to budgetary concerns, so we are stuck with what we have.  On most of the trails in this district, the only signs that I've seen are the yellow "temporary" signs.  Occasionally I'll see a real sign, but not too often.  It doesn't bother me too much, since finding the trailhead is sometimes part of the adventure.....

    I haven't been up to the fish creek mtn trail for a couple of years, but I don't remember a sign on that one.  Did someone put one there?  I love that trail....
    • Re: Trailhead Signs (#)
    • 5/28/09; 11:44:48 AM ¦ by Simon Harding
    • The signs are being removed in order to protect the wild nature of the woods. Folks from Oregon Wild and BARK "sense" their way to the trailheads or rely on talismans or crystals and chanting to guide them to the trailhead as they concentrate on refusing to acknowledge how many cute doe eyed baby seals they are (figuratively)clubbing in the head by driving (gasp!) to the trailhead on roads built (gasp!) for logging. All the while sipping sustainably harvested dolphin safe tofu decaf nonfat macchiatos (no vanilla) from recycled content soy based ink printed paper cups.

      The rest of us would like to have signs.