The Cairn Poll

[montezumawell]

Do you care about cairns? Here's your chance to show the world your cairn feelings. Why does this matter?

Believe it not, there is an evolving 'cairn controversy' in Sedona.
Those of you who have hiked trails in that area know the Forest Service marks routes with large 'baskets' of rocks. In essence, these 'baskets' are mini-gabions, structures normally used in bank stabilization designs.
Some people also call the Sedona-style cairns 'caged rocks.' Wire for the Sedona-cairns is painted the obligatory Smokey-approved 'Sedona dirt red.' Some pros and cons of these and other cairns will be briefly noted later in this message.

In the meantime, here's the deal: The Forest Service is in the process of constructing many new cairns on some of Sedona's high usage trails. So many tens of thousands of people hike those trails that it's simply a numbers game--a certain percentage WILL get lost no matter WHO is holding their hand! Cairns help reduce the total 'lost' numbers.

Sooo...the Forest Service is putting out a lot more of their Sedona-style cairns. And some of the locals don't like it--hence the controversy. Some unidentified vandals have gone so far as to remove trail crew markers identifying the upcoming locations for the cairns. Apparently, the Forest Service is receiving enough 'input' about the cairns to actually prompt the Sedona District's Landscape Architect to post wordy notices here and there along some trail(s) explaining the cairns. The Architect, Jennifer Burns, even invites the public to call her @ 928-282-4119 to discuss cairns. Imagine that! Then, lo and behold, the Sedona Red Rock News comes out with a nearly full page article on trail cairns. We are not making this up. It could only happen in Sedona, where people have been known to argue about the positive or negative magnetism of vortices. Soooo....here is this poll.

Do HAZ members care about cairns? If so, HOW do they care about cairns? We are planning on alerting Ms. Burns as to the presence and location of this topic and its accompanying poll. The results won't make any difference whatsoever in the Forest Service's plans for more cairns but it least it will hopefully provide some passing entertainment for her.

Disclaimer: the creators of this topic and poll favor the Sedona-style cairns. They blend in well and make great places to sit. They are too much work for the vandals to tear out so they generally leave them alone. However, the Sedona anti-fee crowd has proven its numbers include some industrial strength vandals so it might not be surprising to see backhoes and bobcats attacking the trail cairns.

Ok, the pros and cons of trail cairns are probably as old as hiking. Most people don't give them a second thought but we know some people whose blood pressure is directly affected by the type, number and locations of trail cairns. Some people like to build them or add rocks to them. Some people delight in tearing them down or, worse yet, placing them so as to confuse hikers. Some people feel hikers should be 'on their own' with no assistance except perhaps Divine Intervention and GPS. Others feel comforted by the unseen hands that constructed a well-placed trail cairn. Some feel cairns ought to be only a few balanced rocks. Others think a cairn isn't a cairn unless it is at least chest high. So, that's the size of it. Now the rest is up to you. Participate in the poll and let your narrative thoughts be known to all right here on HAZ--where thoughtful hikers come to relax!

John & Susun in Rimrock

Note--The poll 'questions' are subject to editing and amendment(s).

[azbackpackr]

I just wish the general population would stop saying "Karen." It's one syllable, like Cairn Terrier. One syllable. Or, just call it a "duck" and be done with it.

[hikeaz]

Cairn - Karen....

[azbackpackr]

@hikeaz