How to Read Trail Markings

A universal trail-marking system is used in Shelton, the same system that is used on the Appalachian Trail, Connecticut Blue-Dot trails, and many other trails throughout the region.  Trail users have a responsibility to learn this simple system to avoid getting lost and trespassing on private property.  Many inexperienced hikers complain about a lack of signs. This is due to kids taking signs as trophies, a perennial problem on trails throughout the country. The universal trail marking system solves this problem by making most signs unnecessary.

These markings consist mostly of "blazes": rectangles of paint about 5" long usually found on trees at eye level.  If there are no trees, then look for blazes on rocks, pavement, posts, bridges, etc.

The color of the blaze depends on what trail you are on:
 

• Paugussett Trail: Blue
• Recreation Path: Yellow
• Dominick Trail: Orange
• All other trails: White

Sometimes you will see two blazes together.  If the two blazes are the same color, then this means one of the following

• Left turn coming up (left blaze is higher than the right blaze)
• Right turn coming up (right blaze is higher than the left blaze)
• End or beginning of trail (two blazes are next to each other, or one is directly above the other).

***It is very important to pay attention closely if you see the trail symbol for a right or left turn. 

If two blazes on the same tree are two different colors, then you are on two trails at once.  The two trails will soon split, so pay attention.

Along some trails the blaze system is augmented by extra markings on the pavement at road crossings, arrows on trees, and "sacrificial" signs made out of corrugated plastic stapled onto trees (sacrificial because we know kids will eventually rip them down, although they ironically seem to last longer than good signs).  You may also see blazes that have writing on them.  "B2B" stands for "Bridge-to-Bridge", which is the 4.9 mile route from Pine Lake to Huntington Center.

While you are going down an unfamiliar trail, be sure to keep watching the trees for blazes.  If you do not see any blazes for a while, go back the way you came until you find a blaze. 

An alternative way to mark trails in the absence of tree is to build a cairn, which is just a pile of rocks.  These are used occasionally in Shelton, but kids like to rip them down.