Trail Sign Graveyard

Post by **Sean** » Wed Nov 06, 2013 12:49 pm

I'm kind of bored today, so here is a thread devoted to the memory of trail signs that no longer exist.

I had the pleasure of meeting this sign on January 20, 2012. Somewhat damaged, it still stood tall at the top of the Hawkins Ridge Trail. I had come from Mt. Islip and Windy Gap, and the mileage information for PCT destinations proved interesting. Unfortunately, my destination was South Hawkins, for which the sign was utterly useless.

I have not seen this sign since and presume it to be dead.

Post by **JeffH** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:08 pm

I thought about this thread while I was out walking today. Here are a few posts that I saw, signs are of course missing.

This is about halfway up to the ski hut. The sign once was a reminder not to cut switchbacks.

This had a sign saying Baldy Bowl Trail. The post also had a bottle opener attached.

Not very old - this is at the ridge above the rock garden part of the Baldy Bowl trail.
The sign helpfully pointed the way to the trail, rather than having people walk along the ridge.

This is near the Baldy summit. I never saw a sign but I guess it used to mention that it was on the Bear Flat trail.

And this poor remnant had a sign pointing out the beginning of the Devil's Backbone.

The sign at the cutoff up to the register is now gone, although a post is higher on the slope than I remember. Looks like someone just cut the posts rather than unbolting the sign boards.

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:56 pm

What a shame...

outwhere · Post by **outwhere** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:14 pm

This kinda stuff puzzles me...

So there is someone out there that is into hiking and the beauty of nature enough to go/be where these signs are posted...... yet dirty-minded and cold-hearted enough to steal the signs ?

I always thought good minded/hearted people were the people hiking the mountains when it came to those locations...

Sure hope they are only taking the signs down so they can take them home, put some weather sealant stain on them and reattach them when 'winter' is over...

Post by **HikeUp** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:30 pm

Before...

After...

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:45 pm

I hiked up the Ski Hut trail the other week (first time in a really long time) and noticed the same thing about the signs. Every sign has been cut off, not just unbolted. The cut looks pretty clean, almost as if it was done with a power tool. At first I thought whoever did this just wanted to get rid of that sign at the beginning (there use to be no sign there), but they did to the other signs.

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:33 am

Tim wrote: I hiked up the Ski Hut trail the other week (first time in a really long time) ...

What the hell Tim...no TR!?!?!? This kind of behavior will get you banned

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:58 am

HikeUp wrote: What the hell Tim...no TR!?!?!? This kind of behavior will get you banned

Still working on the TR graphics. Going high tech this time with 3D motion graphics!

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:07 pm

LOL. Excellent.

Post by **Sean** » Wed Jul 10, 2024 11:08 am

In addition to dead or missing signs, there are also signs that look like they belong in a graveyard. These photos are courtesy of Lauren Ballas, who's helping restore the Winter Creek Trail. The headstones welcome hikers to Hoegee's Camp.

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Wed Jul 10, 2024 2:26 pm

I have no recollection of those markers, but Hogee's was our scout troop's (T28 Van Nuys) favorite weekend hike. I know I've seen markers like that before, can't place any, maybe someplace outside Yosemite? Sure beats fiberglass for durability and enviro friendliness.

David R · Post by **David R** » Wed Jul 10, 2024 2:43 pm

I remember them and was always struck by the tombstone shape.