I saw an interesting annotation on a map for this area -- specifically for the pine orchard trail. It said "Trail 23 is not recommended for groups less than 3 persons" -- I had never seen a warning like that before. Does anyone know why they would go so far as to call this out on a map?
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Wilcox Wild forest trail question
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I saw that too. I have no idea. I did a "Wilcox Loop" trip a few years back. The only part which caused some confusion was the NE corner where a dozen snowmobile paths seemed to converge. But the western edge of the loop was a no brainer."There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling . . . let us go." -from "The Call of the Wild" by Robert Service
My trail journal: DuctTape's Journal
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That's a warning that was carried over from an older edition of the ADK Guidebook that covered that area. The stretch of trail between Dorr Road and Pumpkin Hollow Road to the south is not well maintained, has lengthy stretches without trail markers, and has several unmarked junctions. Accordingly, the ADK Guidebook recommended that hikers on this trail carry a map and compass to aid in navigation as simply following the established tread may not suffice. It also recommended hiking that trail in a group rather than solo due to the difficulties in navigating this trail, and it was this later recommendation that was repeated on the first few editions of the National Geographic maps.
I personally hiked this trail back in 2004/2005 and it was indeed a bit of a challenge to follow the trail- not nearly as bad as the guidebook seemed to suggest (I thought), but definitely not a trail that was beginner friendly. I've not returned since, so I can't comment on how accurate the warning is today. The current edition of the National Geographic Map has changed the warning to a more general "trail may be hard to follow" message.
I always thought it was interesting that this particular stretch of trail warranted such a warning when there are so many countless other stretches of trails in the Adirondacks (mostly unused snowmobile trails) that are in similar shape- brushy due to lack of maintenance, missing trail markers, unmarked junctions, etc.
The warning was never meant to indicate that the short stretch of trail between Dorr Road and the Pine Orchard itself was hard to follow- that stretch of trail has always been well traveled and maintained, due to the amount of interest in the Pine Orchard area and the level of visitation that destination receives.
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Originally posted by Titanium Spork View PostPresumably the idea of having three people is that one or two could scout the trail all the while staying within earshot of a person who is at the "last known good location"?
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Originally posted by DSettahr View PostI don't remember the exact rationale that was given (or if one was given at all). I also don't have immediate access to that edition of the guidebook to check- it was the edition with the color-coded covers and the rounded corners, for the Southern Adirondacks.
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