PATC Policy
The Tuscarora Trail should be advertised at public road crossings with signs that provide direction and where possible indicate that the trail is for foot traffic only. The trail blue blazes should be easily identified from all crossing sites. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will also place and maintain signs that direct hikers to water sources, shelters, campsites, and toilet facilities. Additionally, the Club will place information boards at trailheads, as appropriate, and emergency information signs at shelters maintained by the Club. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will ensure that the aesthetic quality of the Tuscarora Trail is not degraded by such signs. The Club will coordinate the placement and maintenance of signs with the responsible partner. Where appropriate, signs should indicate that the trail is on private property and hikers should stay on the trail.
The colors of signs and lettering should be standard. All signs shall have a background of brown paint with white letters unless otherwise dictated by partners.
Trail registers, in addition to those installed at shelters and campsites, should be installed along the trail. The containers should include a logbook, which will help indicate trail usage and provide a place for comments between users and the Club overseers and managers, the pamphlets mentioned below, other literature that may be developed for the local area by the District Managers, Overseers, or Chapters, as an insert to a pamphlet, and post cards addressed to the Club for reporting problems.
A pamphlet for the public should be developed by PATC that promotes the use of the Tuscarora Trail, the role of the Club in protecting trail land, and encourages Club membership. A separate pamphlet for private landowners has been developed that provides the advantages of conservation easements, and other information. Both pamphlets may be stocked at trail registration boxes, shelters and campsites, and be used by overseers, District Managers, tract managers, and other PATC volunteers or employees.
Partners’ Policies
National Park Service
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Park regulations prohibit blazing.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureaus of Forestry and State Parks
Both Bureaus will allow the Club to develop a sign system for the Trail but must approve any designs that are other than standard. The Bureau of Forestry has a sign manual and a sign shop. A joint sign catalogue is being developed by the two Bureaus. Sign development should be coordinated with district foresters, park managers, or Department coordinators. Each Bureau can provide technical support and, in some cases, help with sign construction. Signs are to be maintained by PATC.
Department of Transportation
The Department will install and maintain signs identifying the Tuscarora Trail where it crosses state roads and highways. The Department will also install and maintain safety signs for advance-warning pedestrian crossings at Tuscarora Trail intersections where safety concerns are evident.
Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission allows blazes that conform to the Bureau of Forestry standards. It does not allow signs to be nailed to live trees.
Maryland
Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is involved with the Tuscarora Trail through its Wildlife & Heritage Service, which oversees the Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area. The Department is concerned with blazes and signs that clearly distinguish the trail from other markers.
