Manila Discussion archive for:

  • Blazes

    Donovan, I think I read something you posted a year or two ago on blazes -- in particular, why the upside-down question mark that is prevalent, but also a reverse blaze that exists in some places in the forest. Am I imagining this..? Thanks for any clarification you can provide!

    Tom
    Blazes
  • Re: Blazes (#)
  • 8/31/09; 8:56:59 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik

  • According to the 1935 trail maintenance book, the upsidedown ! is the standard FS blaze.  They even have dimensions for it.  Maybe you are seeing the result of poor axemanship?  Blowdown damage?  Or even pre or post-FS blazing.  They are also supposed to be on both sides of the tree, but I've seen trees blazed on the trail facing side only...

    I noticed on the the trail to Anvil Lake 3 notched blazes at the lake TH.  Wonder what the heck that means?  Water I guess, maybe pre Forest Service.

    Blazing seems like a great idea, I wonder why the practice was dropped.  Certainly does no harm to the tree.

    Hey, check it out, from Trailadvocates no less - 3 blazes on the old Skyline Trail:

    http://sinope.redjupiter.com/images/trailadvocate/DSCF0880.jpg

    • Re: Blazes (#)
    • 9/1/09; 9:55:19 PM ¦ by Donovan
    • We see the triple blaze occasionally. I am wondering if it's grazing allotment boundaries. The one pictured, if I remember correctly, is smack on the divide between Lemeti and S Lemiti Creeks. Think the big "x" are section lines.

      Blazes hold up best in hemlock and generally fair well in the 4000' tree crowd. In big fir they can kinda cork over unless the blaze was severe enough to create dead area.