by Melanie McManus | Jul 19, 2019 | Blog, Hiking
If you’re a hiker, you’ve seen hiking cairns. Hiking cairns are small piles of stones stacked together. Typically, they’re used to show hikers the correct way to proceed along a path when it’s not clear. They’re a way to say to hikers,...
by Melanie McManus | May 5, 2026 | By Location, North Country Trail 2017 – Still Hiking, Pennsylvania, Trail Journals, United States
My last day on the NCT for 2026 (I think!) was great. Heather once again shuttled me for the hike from Kossuth to just outside Clarion. Rain was forecast for the end of the day, but I was pretty confidant I could beat it. The morning consisted of a short road walk,...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 31, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Sigh. Ed and I had high hopes for today. We got up early to pound out more miles after yesterday’s many issues and low mileage. But it was not to be. Far from it. After breaking camp with tents wet from dew, we immediately had a water crossing. The water was frigid,...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 27, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Today I was going to enjoy another slackpacking day – yay! The forecast called for possible showers at 8 a.m., but then nice for the rest of the day. Perfect! My plan was to head southbound on the CDT to pick up the mileage I’d missed after getting off the trail due...
by Melanie McManus | Jan 23, 2025
Hikers who conquer the initial (uber-steep) climb northbound at the Mt. Taylor Trailhead can ring a small bell attached to the cairn on top.
