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 and need help come to them because like lost hikers they don’t have a map 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+ 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. 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 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.
Hike with others.
Experienced hikers and backpackers may feel confident about hiking the PMT, but hiking alone is not the wisest thing to do. Our suggestion is to hike with someone and if with others in a group, stay with the group. Anyone can 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.) 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.
If you have a problem you may be able to call the FDR Park office for help (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 urgent 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!
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 and who to call if you're not back when you say.
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 the information listed above. 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. This information is for day hikers as well as backcountry campers.
Signing the trail registers, where available, is also a good idea.
Hopefully by having a map and all the necessary stuff in your daypack you'll have an enjoyable hike.
Parking in FDR State Park.
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 in plain view inside the vehicle.
If you see someone you just don't feel right about hiking or in a parking lot, call the FDR emergency numbers and tell them.
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 and need help come to them because like lost hikers they don’t have a map 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+ 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. 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 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.
Hike with others.
Experienced hikers and backpackers may feel confident about hiking the PMT, but hiking alone is not the wisest thing to do. Our suggestion is to hike with someone and if with others in a group, stay with the group. Anyone can 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.) 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.
If you have a problem you may be able to call the FDR Park office for help (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 urgent 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!
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 and who to call if you're not back when you say.
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 the information listed above. 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. This information is for day hikers as well as backcountry campers.
Signing the trail registers, where available, is also a good idea.
Hopefully by having a map and all the necessary stuff in your daypack you'll have an enjoyable hike.
Parking in FDR State Park.
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 in plain view inside the vehicle.
If you see someone you just don't feel right about hiking or in a parking lot, call the FDR emergency numbers and tell them.