[pct-l] Marking Trails

[dbooth at cyberone.com.au (david booth)]

At most trail junctions the footprints show the way and thoughtful  
thru hikers put brush or other natural barriers on wrong paths. This  
lulls you into false security and you don't bother to read the map.
Mission Creek has already been mentioned where footprints are not  
reliable as many went the wrong way (including me). Another bad  
section is near Idyllwild when hiking (on snow) towards Saddle  
Junction a sign was misleading and many headed down the valley. In  
this case the sign was either wrong or ambiguous. This type of sign  
is worse than no sign where you must look at your map.
Yogi has also mentioned in her guide other places where the trail  
fades out or is illogical. You really have to do some navigation on  
the PCT (especially if snow covers the trail) but this is minimal  
compared to any cross-country hiking. I think I agree with Scott on  
this one, fewer signs (especially in wilderness areas) are better.
David Booth
Carmans Man (aka Strangler)
PCT Section Hiker 2003,04,05
Canberra, Australia