I personally would like to see Algonquin move away from the large paper campsite and portage signs to the smaller (4

Hey Troy.
True the large paper portage and camp signs are large but I think they are needed at such size. At a distance sometimes not large enough! Lol. I can think of several times looking across the lakes trying to find those signs. Not sure what can be done if others feel the same. Color is also needed to stand out.
I think if signs were all taking down, people will camp anywhere and more distruction will take place making camps. Crown land wilderness areas I know are
getting hit hard with garbage left behind, but that is another issue
Thanks
Mike

Do you mean for durability or for unobtrusiveness (Is that a word??)?



Jeff

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Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

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Sorry, guys - I seem to be having trouble getting my full question onto the forum. I'd like to see Algonquin switch to the 4" square, coloured (yellow and orange, same as now), hard plastic signs for campsites and portages that are now being used in Killarney Provincial Park. They are far more durable (less maintenance) and less obtrusive, and their smaller size might even encourage improved navigation skills, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Is there a move afoot to implement these in Algonquin? What do you guys think?

I know what you mean. The orange ones are used on the backpacking trail in some places and the yellow ones to mark many of the low maintenance portages. They certainly are more durable and I'm of a very strong opinion that they should be used on routes which receive only occasional maintenance; the 'regular' ones are gone in no time, but the hard plastic ones last a very long time....



Jeff

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Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

I agree that the plastic signs last way longer and need less maintenance thus creating the effect that less maintenance will now be needed. On the travelled routes, people will report whatever needs to be done.

On the low maintenance routes, those small signs could be hard to see at times as on many occasions, I have encountered downed trees with signs being unvisible or being hidden by whatever other debry, that's when you need good map reading skills.

We have at times spotted campsites and portages with only a few colored spots on trees, those spots being leftover pieces of signs being held there by the nails. The plastic signs would be ideal for durability, but on the low maintenance routes the best would be putting 2 signs on 2 different trees a few feet apart.

Orange and yellow are visible from far away, but during the fall colors, the small plastic signs can be mistaken for leaves, so what is better?? Who knows ??

The problem is that currently there are many routes that currently have no signs. Any sign is better than none... Sure it's easier to spot larger signs, but are there really many people who are willing to travel portages covered with blowdowns and sometimes non-existent portage trails that aren't willing to use a map?

That being said.... Even if multiple signs are posted, I expect that they will still quickly tear and crumble because they're so weak. A larger durable sign might be useful. I know the Township of the Algonquin Highlands uses full sized metal signs for their campsites.

By the way, all the signs are white on the low maintenance portages because of age .


Jeff

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Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free