G. Reassurance Markers/ Blazes

It is not cost effective or desirable to use the official trail logo as the sole marker along the trail. Other types of markers which are less costly, less visually obtrusive, and less prone to vandalism should be used between points where the official trail logo has been placed. Reassurance markers are the paint or nail-on "blazes" that mark the trail.

Blazes are placed on trees or posts, slightly above eye level so that hikers can see them easily when traveling in either direction. In areas where the trail receives winter use, blazes are placed higher so they are visible above the snow. Blazes should be within "line of sight" -- when standing at a blaze marker, the hiker should be able to see the next one. Blazes should be placed on trees that "strike the eye". One well placed blaze is better than several that are poorly placed.

Blazes should be continuous -- even along road segments and other unmistakable parts of the trail. Blazes should be placed immediately beyond any trail junction or road crossing -- even if there is a directional sign. A second blaze (for safety) should be placed within another 50 to 100 feet. Otherwise, it is not desirable to have more than one blaze visible in either direction at any one time. Striking a balance so as not to "over-blaze" or "under-blaze" is the key. (An exception to the continuous blazing policy occurs in ROS^[1] primitive areas where blazing is not generally allowed.)

Painted blazes are often more vandal resistant than nail-on blazes but may require more frequent maintenance. Edges and corners should be crisp and sharp. If paint is used, dripping paint, blotches and over-sized blazes should be avoided. On rough barked trees, the tree will first need to be smoothed using a paint scraper, wire brush, or draw knife. Once the bark is smoothed, there are a number of successful paint-blazing techniques. Some trail maintainers paint free hand-- using a 2" brush. Others use a sized stencil and apply the paint with a brush, sponge, dauber, etc. A high quality, glossy, exterior acrylic paint such as Sherman Williams Metalatex or Nelson Boundary Paints should be used for long durability. Spray paint is discouraged as it is more expensive and does not last as long. Neatness counts.

Vegetation should be pruned from in front of the blazes to ensure visibility in all seasons. If nail-on blazes are preferred, the NPS has a limited ability to provide them to non-federal trail managers. If affixing nail-on blazes to tree, only aluminum nails should be used. On private lands, landowners should be contacted for preference.

Public agencies and private organizations which manage trails incorporated into the North Country NST route have established various methods of marking trails. Their blazes and other markings are a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. To achieve as much consistency as possible the following standards are preferred.

1. Both paint and nail-on type blazes should be 2" x 6" vertical rectangles. The 2" x 6" rectangular shape is large enough to be seen easily without being visually obtrusive and is the most universally accepted style of trail blazing. The 4" x 7" diamonds used in some areas are acceptable, but not preferred, and should be phased out whenever possible. To faciliatate this movement, the NPS can supply (limited) plastic or aluminum blazes with color (as shown in item 2 below) to non-Federal partners choosing to use nail-on blazes.
2. Throughout the trail, the color of choice is medium blue. The ideal blue color is available in a long lasting paint, specially formulated to last on trees. See info on where to get paint The paint is Nelson's Boundary Marking Paint, blue brush-on type (Pantone 308). Nelson can also supply white boundary paint. One current exception to the blue color is on the Manistee National Forest (MI) where gray/white blazes are required. Hopefully this can be changed in future forest plan revisions [editors note 9/00: this transition is being made]. In New York, the North Country NST follows the Finger Lakes Trail for approximately 350 miles. The Finger Lakes Trail is blazed with white paint. Therefore, where the two trails coincide, the color of choice is white. Eventually as the North Country NST nears completion, it may be desirable to mark the Finger Lakes/ North Country Trail with both colors.
3. In non-forested areas, blazes should be placed on wooden or Carsonite posts 4 to 5 feet above the ground. Round posts are acceptable for blazes only. Treated 4" x 4" posts or Carsonite posts are required if emblems or other signs/ decals are to be attached.
4. Spur trails sould be distinguished by white paint (except along the Finger Lakes/ North Country Trail where they will be painted the blue color shown in item 2).

1. Along the trail where major turns are encountered, the normal way to indicate them will be through the use of two blazes-- one placed 2 inches above the other and offset in the direction of the turn. Arrows are a less preferred option.
2. At trail junctions and where the trail jogs for a short distance down the road, a double blaze is preferred, but an arrow is acceptable. At all turns, but particularly at trail junctions when turning along a road, a single reassurance marker should be visible from the direction indicator.
3. If Carsonite posts are used, the standard Carsonite arrow decal is acceptable (3" x 3", cream on brown). However, the NPS will investigate the possibility of obtaining a blue arrow on brown background in order to carry out the overall blue color scheme. If a directional arrow is nailed to a tree or wooden post, the sign should be 4" x 4". The color of the arrow is the same color as the blazes being used along the trail, on a brown background.

Confirmation/ Identification Signs (occicial trail emblems/ logos)

On certified sections of the trail, the 3 1/2" trail logo should be placed at all road crossings (even drivable woods roads), intersections with other trails, and periodically along the trail. Generally they should be about 1/2 mile apart, but frequency should increase in areas where there are numerous roads and intersections. These markers are made of plastic or aluminum for nailing to trees or posts. They are also available in Carsonite decal format. In Carsonite format, they should be used in conjunction with mileposts-- if mileposts are used-- and the Carsonite strip decal at access points and road crossings. Confirmation markers will be supplied by the NPS to all non-federal trail managers.