Trail Blazes and Markers

(Thanks goes to the Spirit of the Woods Chapter for most of this web page!)



          Straight Ahead!                           Sharp Right Turn            Sharp Left Turn   

Trail goes straight:  Single blue rectangle (paint or metal)

Sharp right turn:  two blue rectangles, one on right is higher than the left one

Sharp left turn:  two blue rectangles, one on right is lower  than the left one

NCNST Triangle Emblem (certified trail)

Can you spot the blue blaze on the tree?  (Click anywhere on the image for a hint.)

Sometimes you will see this. 

Why: The national standard for blazing the NCNST has been agreed upon to be painted rectangles in a light but bright blue. 

Paint: The paint selected is Nelson Boundary Marking Paint- blue. It is durable, formulated for use on trees, and it is lead-free. Where can you get the correct paint?  Make sure you choose Boundary paint.

• Chapters of the NCTA can usually get small quantities for free from the National Park Service. Contact Fred Szarka.
• Go to the Nelson Paint Company website.
• Go to the Ben Meadows Forestry Supply Company website.
• Go to the Gray Forestry Supply Company website.
• Go to the Forestry Suppliers, Inc. Company website.

How To:  Spirit of the Woods chapter has a great page of instructions on how to prepare the bark surface and do the blazing.