blue blazes meaning not always clear

[weary]

Blaze colors have little meaning other than to distinguish different trails from each other.

That's certainly true for Phippsburg Land Trust trails.

But the Appalachian Trail is uniformly blazed white. Side trails are uniformly blue, at least if they are blazed according to the trail manuals provided by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

I also disagree with the claim that thru hikers need only be concerned with white blazes. I took most of the blue blazes that were purported to go to scenic and other interesting places. I figured that some maintaining club thought the side trail provided something special, and it would be impolite not to take a look if it was a good day and I had time.

Weary

[emerald]

I took most of the blue blazes that were purported to go to scenic and other interesting places. I figured that some maintaining club thought the side trail provided something special, and it would be impolite not to take a look if it was a good day and I had time.

Weary

My 10 characters appear in this post's title.

[10-K]

I also disagree with the claim that thru hikers need only be concerned with white blazes. I took most of the blue blazes that were purported to go to scenic and other interesting places. I figured that some maintaining club thought the side trail provided something special, and it would be impolite not to take a look if it was a good day and I had time.

Weary

Do you feel obligated to answer your phone just because someone is calling you?

[slugger]

I know they feeling of no knowing where they go. I felt pretty dumb this past Saturday night when I was at Allentown shelter Looking at the Blue blazes and the yellow blazes trying to figure them out. After wasting a good amount of time I finally read the registry.

[emerald]

I've long wondered when registers came to be known as registries. Can anyone provide a quick answer or should I start another thread?

[slugger]

I've long wondered when registers came to be known as registries. Can anyone provide a quick answer or should I start another thread?

Most likely due to poor grammar.

Citation and Example: Myself.

[jmhouse]

I know in SNP blue blazes are used for all trails that are not the AT. Then there are horse trails and fire roads that are blazed yellow.

[Tin Man]

Blaze colors have little meaning other than to distinguish different trails from each other.

I don't know about that. In many places, following blue blazes is better than following white.

[Ender]

That's certainly true for Phippsburg Land Trust trails.

But the Appalachian Trail is uniformly blazed white. Side trails are uniformly blue, at least if they are blazed according to the trail manuals provided by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Weary

Well, the AT is blazed all white because it is a single trail (and the fact that it's blazed only white is a fairly recent development... when I hiked in 1998 the section around Hanover, NH had a different color blaze).

But that's not quite correct about side trails being blazed only blue. It is true if they are a side trail only off the AT to a water source or something like that. But other trails that intersect the AT can be blazed any color, including blue. Heck, in a place like Harriman State Park in NY there are blue trails, and red trails, yellow trails, white with a red dot, white with two red dots... it's totally open game. In Connecticut, most of their trails are blazed blue throughout the state (granted most, maybe all, don't intersect w/ the AT).

Anyway, it's just something to be aware of... just because a trail is blue doesn't mean it's a side trail. It could be it's own trail entirely.

[Ender]

I don't know about that. In many places, following blue blazes is better than following white.

So true, so true.

[mountainman]

My choice of words was out of character for me. If I could retract them I would but that isn't possible. I have learned to be careful of the battles i choose to fight. They may not be worth the cost of winning. I apologize to all who read it.
I have asked many questions on this site and always gotten respectful replys in the past.

[Blissful]

Blue blazes just mean an alternate trail. They can mean anything from trail to a town to water, to a privy or sheter to a waterfall, to a trail bypass (like on Moxie Bald in ME). It is up to you to check a guidebook to see what the trail is and where it leads.

[GeneralLee10]

The Pink Blaze on the AT, I have a pic of. If thinking correctly the name of it is White Tail Trail. I will look for the pic tommorrow.

[Tinker]

My choice of words was out of character for me. If I could retract them I would but that isn't possible. I have learned to be careful of the battles i choose to fight. They may not be worth the cost of winning. I apologize to all who read it.
I have asked many questions on this site and always gotten respectful replys in the past.

We will never forget, nor forgive your linguistic transgressions or emotional outbursts............................

Don't worry, we all come across as offal passages at times.

It's all good. No worries.

[10-K]

My choice of words was out of character for me. If I could retract them I would but that isn't possible. I have learned to be careful of the battles i choose to fight. They may not be worth the cost of winning. I apologize to all who read it.
I have asked many questions on this site and always gotten respectful replys in the past.

Most of the time (all of the time on internet forums?) it doesn't cost anything to let the other person be right...

[ki0eh]

The Pink Blaze on the AT, I have a pic of. If thinking correctly the name of it is White Tail Trail. I will look for the pic tommorrow.

Exactly, trail 7 on this map

[Father Dragon]

Exactly, trail 7 on this map

so, um ... is there like a guide book for pink blazing or anything cuz ....

[ki0eh]

I'd recommend going to the right (assuming NOBO) - too much poison-ivy to the left...

[le loupe]

Exactly, trail 7 on this map

Why is it only white tail?

[ki0eh]

Historical reasons. Truly, tail knows no color.