It’s no wonder why they call her ‘Smiles’. Do not leave food or beverages unattended on the trail. By contrast, refreshments and food offered in person are more easily contained and cleaned up. Never leave alcohol out on the trail: you might end up supplying alcohol to kids playing in the woods. They are generally illegal on public land and limited resources are wasted cleaning up these sites. These caches often become eyesores as trash collects and is strewn about by animals, wind, and people. When left unattended, food and beverages stashed beside the trail create a litter problem and introduce wildlife to human food. Don’t leave food unattended on the trail. By working on trail maintenance projects with other passionate PCT volunteers, you will help the trail, and you’ll help thousands of hikers for years to come. Trail maintainers, section adopters, scouts, and the rest of the thousands of people in our formal volunteer program would like your help. We’d like to offer a plug and speak directly: there is a huge need for volunteers who want to work on trail maintenance crews and projects. When considering appropriate forms of trail magic, please recall Leave No Trace principles, including being considerate to other visitors, respecting wildlife and disposing of waste properly. For the philosophers wanting a deeper dive into this vision work, please read our Statement of the Trail Experience. Consider whether you are intruding on that. It’s also a place to practice self-reliance and personal growth to meet the challenge found along the trail. Photo of southbound thru-hikers in Glacier Peak Wilderness. We travel the Pacific Crest Trail seeking challenge, solitude and independence. The cumulative weight of many such encounters can be overwhelming and detract from one’s ability to “get away from it all.” Frequent intrusions from trail angels or a loud party with signs advertising it and dozens of people - however well-meaning - can negatively affect someone’s planned solitude. The Pacific Crest Trail exists in part to provide an escape from the city into the natural world. Overdone trail magic is no longer magical. Sometimes, kind acts have unintended downsides. With the increasing popularity of “trail angeling,” it’s important for people to consider their unintended impact on the trail and other people’s experience. To be a trail angel, simply start by doing nice things! Keep trail magic low impact and Leave No Trace. It’s an informal system not organized by the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Hundreds of new people are getting involved in providing rides, food, and places to stay on the PCT. How to be a trail angel and provide organized trail magic. Offering professional services for free: like the foot doctor or dentist who waives their fees.Feeding hungry hikers: offering picnics to hikers and horseback riders.Hosting: people who bring hikers and horseback riders into their homes, offering safe places to sleep, wash clothes, eat.
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