I never knew how the signs were created, only that I found a deep comfort in their aesthetics and familiarity. I never realized that other areas (such as Nat'l Parks) had switched to metal signs, until I hiked through Mt Rainier on the PCT in 2020. I found that quite jarring, but understood it was likely due to longevity.
I prefer these wooden signs by far, and learning why they look similar, and other processes behind the scenes makes them even better.
Don Nelson, you probably just recently saw that Observation Peak sign.
Volunteer handcrafts signs to guide Nor ... ail-signs/
Signs made by volunteer
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Re: Signs made by volunteer
Your url got a little mangled, so I fixed it for you.
https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/27/ ... ail-signs/
That Observation Trail sign is not at the bottom. I bet it hasn't been placed yet, but will probably go on the north end of the trail.
I have put up a couple signs made in that workshop, though I have no idea who made it. I carried in and replaced the sign for the Soda Peaks Lake trail where it starts on the Observation Trail.
I also found an old sign in a creek on the south side of Mt Adams. It listed some destinations that nobody hikes to any more and said it was in the Columbia National Forest. A Forest Service historian dated it to the late 1930s due to the material used. It now sites in some FS warehouse. Maybe I should have just taken it home.
https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/27/ ... ail-signs/
That Observation Trail sign is not at the bottom. I bet it hasn't been placed yet, but will probably go on the north end of the trail.
I have put up a couple signs made in that workshop, though I have no idea who made it. I carried in and replaced the sign for the Soda Peaks Lake trail where it starts on the Observation Trail.
I also found an old sign in a creek on the south side of Mt Adams. It listed some destinations that nobody hikes to any more and said it was in the Columbia National Forest. A Forest Service historian dated it to the late 1930s due to the material used. It now sites in some FS warehouse. Maybe I should have just taken it home.
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Re: Signs made by volunteer
Do you have pics of the old sign? that'd be pretty cool to see.
Re: Signs made by volunteer
Oh, yeah, forgot to do that. I found it 8/17/2014.AlpenGlowHiker wrote: ↑August 28th, 2022, 9:37 amDo you have pics of the old sign? that'd be pretty cool to see.
Re: Signs made by volunteer
Well now that's positively heartwarming. I've noticed that the Wilderness signs look like oak, and I'm gratified to learn that they are actually oregon white oak. Very neat!
Believe it or not, I barely ever ride a mountain bike.
- Sugar Pine
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Re: Signs made by volunteer
Great OPB segment. Thanks for sharing.
Re: Signs made by volunteer
Great thread. That OPB piece was very interesting.
Whenever I see a really old/faded/grizzled trail sign I always wonder how long its been there.
Thanks for asking, AlpenGlowHiker. You were right, that is pretty cool to see.AlpenGlowHiker wrote: ↑August 28th, 2022, 9:37 amDo you have pics of the old sign? that'd be pretty cool to see.
Whenever I see a really old/faded/grizzled trail sign I always wonder how long its been there.
You know exactly what to do.
There's no need to be afraid.
Keep walking.
There's no need to be afraid.
Keep walking.
Re: Signs made by volunteer
Neat old sign. I found a Cascade Crest Trail sign 2 miles south of Killian Creek one time. I like to get well off the trail when nature calls and that's how I came across it. It was wooden, not medal and I thought about claiming it as a souvenir, but the weight and lack of equipment needed to remove the old rusty bolts was too discouraging to even put for the effort. Always wondered what became of the sign.
- Eric Peterson
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Re: Signs made by volunteer
Speaking of home made volunteer trail signs - anyone have any idea who is making creek signs on Herman Creek 406?