Reading Trail Markers

When to use this

Every time you set foot on a trail. Markers are how the trail tells you it still exists.

• Following a marked trail
• Knowing when you’ve missed a turn
• Hiking with kids who like a job

What you need

• A marked trail
• A current trail map

Step by step

1. 1.Before you start, check the trail map for the blaze color and shape. The map legend always tells you.
2. 2.Walk until you see the next blaze. A single blaze means "trail continues straight."
3. 3.Two stacked blazes mean a turn. The top blaze offset to the side tells you which direction to go.
4. 4.A pile of stacked rocks (a cairn) on bare rock above treeline does the same job as a blaze.
5. 5.If you walk more than 5 minutes without seeing a marker, stop. Backtrack to the last one and re-check.
6. 6.When you reach a junction, look for a sign or a blaze in each direction before choosing.

Pro tips

• Make spotting the next marker a kid’s job. They get a high five for each one called out.
• Photograph the trail map at the trailhead board. You’ll have it offline if you lose phone signal.

Common mistakes

• Walking and talking past markers. The trail can fork without obvious geography.
• Trusting any cairn smaller than knee-high — random stacks aren’t official.