2018
DESOLATION
WILDERNESS
SIGN PLAN
PROPOSAL
PLAN SUMMARY
This plan was created to develop consensus regarding signs among the partners involved in management of the co-aligned Pacific Crest Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail through Desolation Wilderness. Specifically, this plan seeks to outline how replacing existing signs along the trail in the wilderness can help prevent vandalism, conform to wilderness trail sign standards and adequately provide wayfinding information for trail users.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WILDERNESS SIGN STANDARDS 1
TYPICAL SIGN EXAMPLE 3
SIGN PLAN
Section 1 5
Section 2 17
Section 3 23
Section 4 29
COST ESTIMATE 32
ATTACHMENTS 33
WILDERNESS SIGN STANDARDS
EM 7100-15 “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service” (Revised October 2013) provides instructions for trail managers regarding trail signs, including trail signs in designated wilderness areas. The following information presented in bold is contained in that document. An interpretation of each directive that is pertinent to signing the PCT/TRT through Desolation Wilderness follows.
§5.3.1b: Use signs within wilderness … only when necessary to protect the resource or to provide for visitor safety.
Given this guidance, both resource protection and visitor safety are solid rationale for signing every official trail intersection on the PCT/TRT in Desolation Wilderness. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country and employs a quota system to mitigate resource damage. Clear trail intersection signs will help discourage off-trail travel and reduce resource impacts that can result from such travel. In addition, the PCT/TRT is one of the most popular trails within the wilderness and, given the relative ease of access to the trail and to the entire wilderness in general, visitor safety should be enhanced by signing official intersections.
§5.3.1b: Route identification may include trail name, number, or both, or locally identifiable destination. Include appropriate directional arrow(s).
Existing signs identify the trail name (PCT, TYT, etc.) and/or destinations (Dicks Pass, Lake Aloha, etc.) and directional arrows. Standardizing the signs so that they always identify the PCT/TRT would be preferable for long- distance trail users, while identifying geographic destinations will be helpful for more casual trail users. Continuing to utilize directional arrows will help avoid confusion as most trails do not meet at standard angles. Approved Forest Service abbreviations are provided as an attachment for use when long names would not otherwise fit on the sign.
§5.3.1b: Do not sign major destinations at the destination location. Do not sign geographic or natural features
Signs should be placed only at trail junctions, not at features or destinations such as lakes or passes.
§5.3.1b: Distances – Do not provide mileages
No mileages should be provided.
§5.5 Junction identity sign requirements
Text - Routed
Color – May be unfinished wood, scorched or blackened legend, or WPC (wood-plastic composite) material
1
Signs should be made of unfinished wood, but should be of a high quality such as cedar or redwood to ensure their longevity. No direction is given as to the dimensions of sign posts, but nominal 6” x 6” posts are currently used and would be preferable over smaller posts since they should last longer.
Signs should be exclusively routed and all letters and arrows should be standard. Letters should all be uppercase. Note that since routing will likely be done by hand, some variation in size and shape of letters is likely.
§5.6 Reassurance marker requirements
Blazer – Cut or branded. Do not use plastic.
Color – Natural
Size – (Undefined)
Plastic or metal PCT and TRT confidence markers should not be used, but cut or branded markers are acceptable. While no size is specified, the standard 3.5” reassurance marker size used elsewhere on both trails seems appropriate.
§5.8 Wilderness Trail Signing Summary (attached for reference)
2
TYPICAL SIGN EXAMPLE
Following the guidelines laid out above, the images below show a typical trail junction sign layout for the PCT/TRT in Desolation Wilderness. All posts are untreated 6”x6” rough cut redwood at 6’ in length.
TYPICAL SIGN FACING NORTH & SOUTHBOUND PCT/TRT USERS:
3
TYPICAL SIGN FACING USERS LEAVING PCT/TRT:
TYPICAL SIGN FACING USERS APPROACHING THE PCT/TRT:
4
SIGN PLAN
This report breaks up the PCT/TRT in Desolation into four geographic sections based on preferred access points for carrying signs to the nineteen trail junctions where they are to be installed. Section 1: Southern Wilderness Boundary to Lake Aloha would be best accessed from the trailhead at Echo Lake. Section 2: Lake Aloha to Dicks Pass would be best accessed from the trailhead at Glen Alpine. Section 3: Dicks Pass to Meeks Bay/Tahoe-Yosemite Trail would be best accessed from the trailhead at Bayview. Section 4: Meeks Bay/Tahoe-Yosemite Trail to Northern Wilderness Boundary would be best accessed from the jeep roads near Richardson Lake.
SECTION 1: SOUTHERN WILDERNESS BOUNDARY TO LAKE ALOHA
There are nine trail junctions in this section of the trail, as well as the sign alerting trail users they are entering Desolation Wilderness.
SIGN 01: Southern Desolation Wilderness Border
The sign on the southern wilderness boundary is a typical USFS wilderness sign and should not be replaced until it fails, when an identical sign would be appropriate.
5 DESOLATION LOCATION CONTEXT WILDERNESS SIGN PLAN SIGN PLAN SECTION OVERVIEW
SECTION 4: MEEKS BAY TRAIL TO NORTHERN WILDERNESS BOUNDARY
SECTION 3: DICKS PASS TO MEEKS BAY TRAIL
SECTION 2: LAKE ALOHA TO DICKS PASS
LEGEND Desolation Wilderness SECTION 1: SOUTHERN WILDERNESS Co-Aligned BOUNDARY TO LAKE ALOHA PCT/TRT PCT
TRT System Other Trails 0 1.25 2.5 Miles ¸ 6
SIGN 02: Southern Triangle Lake Trail Junction (Identical to sign 04)
The existing sign at the Southern Triangle Lake Trail Junction.
Northbound To Triangle Southbound From Triangle Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Southern Triangle Lake Trail Junction.
7
SIGN 03: Tamarack Lake Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Tamarack Lake Trail Junction.
Northbound To Tamarack Southbound From Tamarack Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Tamarack Lake Trail Junction.
8
SIGN 04: Northern Triangle Lake Trail Junction (Identical to Sign 02)
The existing sign at the Northern Triangle Lake Trail Junction.
Northbound To Triangle Southbound From Triangle Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Northern Triangle Lake Trail Junction.
9
SIGN 05: Southern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction (Identical to sign 06)
The existing sign at the Southern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction.
Northbound To Lake of Southbound From Lake of the Woods the Woods
The proposed sign at the Southern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction.
10
SIGN 06: Northern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction (Identical to sign 05)
The existing sign at the Northern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction.
Northbound To Lake of Southbound From Lake of the Woods the Woods
The proposed sign at the Northern Lake of the Woods Trail Junction.
11
SIGN 07: Southern Lake Lucille Trail Junction (Identical to sign 09)
The existing sign at the Southern Lake Lucille Trail Junction.
Northbound To Lake Southbound From Lake Lucille Lucille
The proposed sign at the Southern Lake Lucille Trail Junction.
12
SIGN 08: Southern Lake Aloha Trail Junction (Identical to sign 10)
The existing sign at the Southern Lake Aloha Trail Junction.
Northbound To Lake Southbound From Lake Aloha Aloha
The proposed sign at the Southern Lake Aloha Trail Junction.
13
SIGN 09: Northern Lake Lucille Trail Junction (Identical to sign 07)
The existing sign at the Northern Lake Lucille Trail Junction.
Northbound To Lake Southbound From Lake Lucille Lucille
The proposed sign at the Northern Lake Lucille Trail Junction.
14
SIGN 10: Northern Lake Aloha Trail Junction (Identical to sign 08)
The existing sign at the Northern Lake Aloha Trail Junction. All other post faces are blank.
Northbound To Lake Southbound From Lake Aloha Aloha
The proposed sign at the Northern Lake Aloha Trail Junction.
15 DESOLATION LOCATION CONTEXT WILDERNESS SIGN PLAN SECTION ONE DETAIL
LAKE ALOHA
10
09
08 07 06 05
04
03 01 02
SOUTHERN WILDERNESS BOUNDARY
LEGEND Sign 01 Number Desolation Wilderness
Co-Aligned PCT/TRT Other Trails
0 0.3 0.6 Miles ¸ 16
SECTION 2: LAKE ALOHA TO DICKS PASS
There are four trail junctions in this section of the trail.
SIGN 11: Rubicon River Trail (Mosquito Pass) Junction
The existing sign at the Rubicon River Trail (Mosquito Pass) Junction.
To Mosquito Northbound Southbound From Mosquito Pass Pass
The proposed sign at the Rubicon River Trail (Mosquito Pass) Junction.
17
SIGN 12: Glen Alpine Cutoff Trail Junction
No photographs available.
The existing sign at the Glen Alpine Cutoff Trail Junction.
To Glen Northbound Southbound From Glen Alpine Alpine
The proposed sign at the Glen Alpine Cutoff Trail Junction.
18
SIGN 13: Glen Alpine/Half Moon Lake Trail Junction
The fourth side of this sign says “LK ALOHA” with an arrow pointing right.
The existing sign at the Glen Alpine/Half Moon Lake Trail Junction.
To Half Moon Northbound Southbound From Half Moon Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Glen Alpine/Half Moon Lake Trail Junction.
19
SIGN 14: Gilmore Lake Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Gilmore Lake Trail Junction.
To Gilmore Northbound From Gilmore Southbound Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Gilmore Lake Trail Junction.
20
SIGN 15: Top of Dicks Pass
The existing sign at the top of Dicks Pass.
No sign is proposed at the top of Dicks Pass as EM 7100-15 “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service” (Revised October 2013) §5.3.1b states “Do not sign major destinations at the destination location. Do not sign geographic or natural features.” The existing sign should be removed to comply with this guideline.
21 DESOLATION LOCATION CONTEXT WILDERNESS SIGN PLAN SECTION TWO DETAIL
DICKS 15 PASS
14
13 12
11
LEGEND Sign 01 Number Desolation Wilderness LAKE ALOHA Co-Aligned PCT/TRT Other Trails
0 0.275 0.55 Miles ¸ 22
SECTION 3: DICKS PASS TO MEEKS BAY/TAHOE-YOSEMITE TRAIL
There are five trail junctions in this section of the trail.
SIGN 16: Eagle Lake/Bayview Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Eagle Lake/Bayview Trail Junction.
To Bayview Northbound From Bayview Southbound Trailhead Trailhead
The proposed sign at the Eagle Lake/Bayview Trail Junction.
23
SIGN 17: Dicks Lake Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Dicks Lake Trail Junction.
Northbound Southbound To Dicks From Dicks Lake Lake
The proposed sign at the Dicks Lake Trail Junction.
24
SIGN 18: Velma Lakes Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Velma Lakes Trail Junction.
Northbound Southbound To Bayview From Bayview Trailhead Trailhead
The proposed sign at the Velma Lakes Trail Junction.
25
SIGN 19: Camper Flat Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Camper Flat Trail Junction.
To Camper Northbound From Camper Flat Southbound Flat
The proposed sign at the Camper Flat Trail Junction.
26
SIGN 20: Meeks Bay/Tahoe-Yosemite Trail Junction
The existing sign at the Meeks Bay/Tahoe-Yosemite Trail Junction. To Meeks Northbound From Meeks Bay Southbound Bay
The proposed sign at the Meeks Bay/Tahoe-Yosemite Trail Junction.
27 DESOLATION LOCATION CONTEXT WILDERNESS SIGN PLAN SECTION THREE DETAIL
MEEKS 20 BAY TRAIL
19 18
16
17 LEGEND Sign 01 Number Desolation Wilderness
Co-Aligned DICKS PCT/TRT PASS Other Trails
0 0.275 0.55 Miles ¸ 28
SECTION 4: MEEKS BAY/TAHOE-YOSEMITE TRAIL TO NORTHERN WILDERNESS BOUNDARY
There is only one trail junction in this section of the trail.
SIGN 21: General Creek Trail Junction
The existing sign at the General Creek Trail Junction.
To General Northbound From General Creek Southbound Creek
The proposed sign at the General Creek Trail Junction.
29
SIGN 22: Northern Desolation Wilderness Border
The sign on the northern wilderness boundary is not a typical USFS wilderness sign and replacing it with a standard sign should be considered when it fails.
30 DESOLATION LOCATION CONTEXT WILDERNESS SIGN PLAN SECTION FOUR DETAIL
NORTHERN 22 WILDERNESS BOUNDARY
21
LEGEND Sign 01 Number Desolation Wilderness
Co-Aligned PCT/TRT MEEKS Other BAY TRAIL Trails
0 0.375 0.75 Miles ¸ 31
COST ESTIMATE
ITEM QUANTITY COST TOTAL
6”x6” Redwood 19+1 $150/post + $3,400.00 Post at 6’ contingency $400 shipping
Volunteer- Sign Routing 19 Posts Supplied $0.00
Volunteer- Sign Shaping 19 Posts Supplied $0.00
Equestrian Mileage 875 Miles $0.80/Mile $700.00 Reimbursement
Volunteer- Installation NA Supplied $0.00
15% Contingency NA $615.00 $615.00 Expenses
TOTAL COST $4,715.00 ESTIMATE
32
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment One: Section 1 page 16 in EM 7100-15 “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service” (Revised October 2013) – approved fs abbreviations.
Attachment Two: Section 5 page 26 in EM 7100-15 “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service” (Revised October 2013) - wilderness trails sign summary.
33 October 2013
Chapter 1 Introduction and Principles Policy and Standards
Approved Forest Service Abbreviations
Upper Case Title Case Boundary BDY Bdy Branch BR Br Brook BRK Brk Campground CG CG* Canyon CAN Can Creek CR Cr Divide DIV Div Elevation ELEV Elev Equipment EQUIP Equip Fork FK Fk Gulch GUL Gul Headquarters HDQS Hdqs Lake or Lakes L or LKS L or Lks Little LIT Lit Lookout LO Lo Lower LOW Low Meadow MDW Mdw Middle MID Mid National Forest NF NF Number NO No Off-Highway Vehicle OHV OHV Peak PK Pk Point PT Pt Railroad RR Rr Ranger Station RS RS Reservation RES Res Reservoir RESVR Resvr River R or RIV R or Riv Road RD Rd Spring or Springs SPG or SPGS Spg or Spgs Station STA Sta Stream STRM Strm Trail TR Tr Trailhead TRHD Trhd * This is an exception to the title case lettering style requirement.
1-16 Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service • EM 7100-15
34 November 2012 Chapter 5 Trail Signing
Table 5-8—Wilderness trails
Sign requirements
Sign type Sign face Text Color Shape
Regulatory Nonretroreflective NA NA NA
Warning NA NA NA NA
Guide Routed only Text: Capital ASA Unfinished wood TD or TDW series C, 1 inch, with scorched or routed blackened legend
Junction Routed only Text: Capital ASA Unfinished wood TD identity series C, 1 inch, with scorched or routed blackened legend
Reassurance Cut, painted, or branded NA NA NA markers blazers, logo brands, rock cairns, natural guide poles
Sign support and placement requirements
Sign supports Posts or trees
Minimum mounting height trail tread to bottom of sign 5 feet
Minimum lateral distance edge of trail tread 3-foot clearance for pack stock to nearest edge of sign
Remarks:
• Specific onsite signs necessary for resource protection or visitor management may be used if no other means of protection or communication is suitable. • Generally, do not use reassurance markers except in locations where the trail is difficult to locate. • Use only cut, painted, or branded/scorched blazes in wilderness. Limit painted blazes only to those wilderness trails identified in the National Trails System Act, and associated intersecting trails where necessary. • Do not use Federal recreation symbols or plastic and metal national trail markers. • Guide poles should be left natural with no markers, blazers, or tape. • Do not use warning signs. • Limit use of regulatory signs at the trailhead.
5-26 Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service • EM 7100-15 35