Safety on the Pine Mountain Trail
Safety on the Pine Mountain Trail
Even though we have very few actual “lost hikers” on the PMT, we don't want any. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable hike along the trail. Following the hints below may help. The park managers do get reports of hikers mostly turned around (missed a turn and are able with verbal help to get back on the trail) or truly stranded after dark. They are told to sit still let help come to them. Most lost hikers don’t have a map or have not looked at a display map at a trailhead or have not planned correctly to be off the trail before dark. The first item for a safe hike on the PMT or anywhere, is obtain and carry a map of the area and know how to read it. Most importantly is become familiar with the map and trail section you plan to hike before you leave home….
Planning a hike
If you are new to the PMT and say want to hike to Cascade Falls and back, that is a 4.2 mile round trip hike.
If you take your time you may walk a mile every 30 minutes, with a 15-20 minute rest at Cascade Falls before turning around - give yourself say 3 hours for that down and back hike. If you plan ahead and know it gets dark at 6 pm the latest you want to start out on this hike is 3 hours 45 minutes prior to dark. Even this is a short margin of safe daylight time as it gets darker down in the woods quicker. The idea is thus for any trail section take the distance you want to hike, divide by your hike pace per hour, add 30 minutes for safety, back that time off sunset time and thus you have your safe start time. See the trail map back for link to website to see when daylight ends on any day along the trails. See Trail Descriptions on this website for about trail sections..
Hike/trail running with others.
Experienced hikers and backpackers and runners may feel confident about solo use of the PMT, but hiking or trail running alone is not the wisest thing to do for some. Our suggestion is to hike with someone and if with others in a group, stay with the group. Anyone can fall down, sprain an ankle or miss a trail turn.
Carry some basic survival items.
Survival and first aid items are in order and should be carried on hikes of 5 minutes or 5 miles. See our survival kit for kids page for more information (this list applies to adults too, especially about the loud whistle.) Always carry snacks, drinks and most importantly water. We also encourage you to drink at least 8oz. of water and eat something like a banana before starting out on a hike.
Carry a cell phone (fully charged).
If you have a problem, you may be able to call the FDR Park office for help from 8-5 PM 706-663-4256. This number is on the PMT map as well. If you do NOT reach the rangers on that voice number, try dialing the Google Voice FDR ranger 24 hour emergency number 706-801-5006. You can leave a short verbal message and return phone number and it transmits/sends the message as a TEXT message to the ranger on duty. Given the limited cell service in some areas of FDR, rangers can often get a text message when voice calls do not go through. If you call 911, the 911 center is just going to turn around and call the FDR folks! You can use Google Maps to see where you are along the trail and if situation comes up, you can screenshot that location and text it to park ranger. The emergency number is posted on white stickers with red letters on most trail sign post. Hint: put cell phone on airplane mode to save battery power while hiking.
Let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.
Tell a friend or family member where you're going and when you plan to be off the trail. Make sure they have your cell number, vehicle info, and who to call (Park emergency number) if you're not back off the trail when you said you would. Suggested is to call the park office or stop by, giving the clerk your name, your cell phone number, your vehicle tag number, description of the vehicle, location you plan to park and most importantly, the trail section you intend to hike and when you plan to come off the trail.
Before you leave your vehicle, you could put our hiker's safety form on the dash of your vehicle with at least your phone number visible. If you are lost or hurt and not able to walk out, or were gone for an extended time, the park rangers would know better who to look for if they find your car at a trailhead parking lot after hours. They would first try to call you on your cell phone, then come looking for you. Same for day hikers/runners as well as backcountry campers.
Hopefully by having a map and all the necessary stuff in your daypack you'll have a safe and enjoyable time on the Pine Mountain Trail.
Parking in FDR State Park.
You must have a daily parking pass purchased before leaving your vehicle anywhere within the park. Overnight backpackers must also display their blue copy of backcountry permit. To our knowledge, there have been very few vehicles damaged or broken into inside FDR State Park in 40+ years! This is great, but don't invite a problem. Don't leave valuables/charger cords/packs or bags in plain view inside the vehicle.
If you see someone you “just don't feel right about” while hiking or in a parking lot, call the FDR emergency number and tell Rangers right then.
Even though we have very few actual “lost hikers” on the PMT, we don't want any. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable hike along the trail. Following the hints below may help. The park managers do get reports of hikers mostly turned around (missed a turn and are able with verbal help to get back on the trail) or truly stranded after dark. They are told to sit still let help come to them. Most lost hikers don’t have a map or have not looked at a display map at a trailhead or have not planned correctly to be off the trail before dark. The first item for a safe hike on the PMT or anywhere, is obtain and carry a map of the area and know how to read it. Most importantly is become familiar with the map and trail section you plan to hike before you leave home….
Planning a hike
If you are new to the PMT and say want to hike to Cascade Falls and back, that is a 4.2 mile round trip hike.
If you take your time you may walk a mile every 30 minutes, with a 15-20 minute rest at Cascade Falls before turning around - give yourself say 3 hours for that down and back hike. If you plan ahead and know it gets dark at 6 pm the latest you want to start out on this hike is 3 hours 45 minutes prior to dark. Even this is a short margin of safe daylight time as it gets darker down in the woods quicker. The idea is thus for any trail section take the distance you want to hike, divide by your hike pace per hour, add 30 minutes for safety, back that time off sunset time and thus you have your safe start time. See the trail map back for link to website to see when daylight ends on any day along the trails. See Trail Descriptions on this website for about trail sections..
Hike/trail running with others.
Experienced hikers and backpackers and runners may feel confident about solo use of the PMT, but hiking or trail running alone is not the wisest thing to do for some. Our suggestion is to hike with someone and if with others in a group, stay with the group. Anyone can fall down, sprain an ankle or miss a trail turn.
Carry some basic survival items.
Survival and first aid items are in order and should be carried on hikes of 5 minutes or 5 miles. See our survival kit for kids page for more information (this list applies to adults too, especially about the loud whistle.) Always carry snacks, drinks and most importantly water. We also encourage you to drink at least 8oz. of water and eat something like a banana before starting out on a hike.
Carry a cell phone (fully charged).
If you have a problem, you may be able to call the FDR Park office for help from 8-5 PM 706-663-4256. This number is on the PMT map as well. If you do NOT reach the rangers on that voice number, try dialing the Google Voice FDR ranger 24 hour emergency number 706-801-5006. You can leave a short verbal message and return phone number and it transmits/sends the message as a TEXT message to the ranger on duty. Given the limited cell service in some areas of FDR, rangers can often get a text message when voice calls do not go through. If you call 911, the 911 center is just going to turn around and call the FDR folks! You can use Google Maps to see where you are along the trail and if situation comes up, you can screenshot that location and text it to park ranger. The emergency number is posted on white stickers with red letters on most trail sign post. Hint: put cell phone on airplane mode to save battery power while hiking.
Let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.
Tell a friend or family member where you're going and when you plan to be off the trail. Make sure they have your cell number, vehicle info, and who to call (Park emergency number) if you're not back off the trail when you said you would. Suggested is to call the park office or stop by, giving the clerk your name, your cell phone number, your vehicle tag number, description of the vehicle, location you plan to park and most importantly, the trail section you intend to hike and when you plan to come off the trail.
Before you leave your vehicle, you could put our hiker's safety form on the dash of your vehicle with at least your phone number visible. If you are lost or hurt and not able to walk out, or were gone for an extended time, the park rangers would know better who to look for if they find your car at a trailhead parking lot after hours. They would first try to call you on your cell phone, then come looking for you. Same for day hikers/runners as well as backcountry campers.
Hopefully by having a map and all the necessary stuff in your daypack you'll have a safe and enjoyable time on the Pine Mountain Trail.
Parking in FDR State Park.
You must have a daily parking pass purchased before leaving your vehicle anywhere within the park. Overnight backpackers must also display their blue copy of backcountry permit. To our knowledge, there have been very few vehicles damaged or broken into inside FDR State Park in 40+ years! This is great, but don't invite a problem. Don't leave valuables/charger cords/packs or bags in plain view inside the vehicle.
If you see someone you “just don't feel right about” while hiking or in a parking lot, call the FDR emergency number and tell Rangers right then.