I discovered a long loop trail on which I'd like to plant some boxes, but it has one major drawback: 500' of this trail is on private land. Normally, I avoid private property like the plague, but this situation is a little different from the "No Trespassing" signs that I normally see. In this case, where the state forest trail ends at a wide, flat fire road, there's a large, professionally-made sign that says something like "You are now entering private property. Enter at your own risk. State forest trails are 500' on the right." There's also an arrow pointing to the right. If you walk on this wooded fire road for 500', there's another large, professionally-made sign that says something like "State forest trail here" and an arrow pointing to it. The rest of this 2.5-mile trail is in the state forest.

Given the wording of these signs, I'm pretty sure that they were put there by the state to guide people to the next set of trails and to cover the private property owner's behind. Personally, I don't have a problem with scurrying across this short stretch to get to the next trail, given the wording on the signs. However, I don't want to plant boxes if it's unethical or problematic for other letterboxers. Any thoughts?

P.S. Obviously, I wouldn't plant a box on the private property!

I think in that case, it seems like both the state is helping wayward hikers and it would appear the landowners know as well. I think there are trails like that in CT that are the same - like parts of the airline trail and the blue trails.

With what the signs said I would plant on the forest on the trail and I think its ok if they are directing you thru to the continuation of the trail!

I think there are trails like that in CT that are the same - like parts of the airline trail and the blue trails.

I didn't know that, M! Good to know--thanks! :^)

Rocklun

It sounds to me that the forest service got permission for hikers to walk the trail on that private property. It would be OK to direct letterboxers over the trail via your clues, but do not plant any boxes on the land.

if they are directing you thru to the continuation of the trail!

Thanks, EverAfter83! That's the impression I get. Otherwise, why would the sign tell you that the state forest trail continues 500' on the right? The sign would just say "No Trespassing."

Rocklun

but do not plant any boxes on the land.

Agreed. That's why I added the P.S. in my original post, in case people thought I was planning to do so.

There are also signs at Pulaski that are similar - you are now leaving state land and entering private property - (close to the lake where the trail veers off). They state something about being respectful of the land owners IIRC.

There are also signs at Pulaski that are similar

Now that you mention it, I vaguely recall those signs, M!

Plenty of trails here butting right up to private property. You're good to go...

I think there are trails like that in CT that are the same - like parts of the airline trail and the blue trails.

Yes, there are 825 miles of official state "blue blazed trails" in Connecticut and more than half of those miles are on private property, usually just with a hand-shake agreement by the property owner.

In general, if land is forested and there aren't any 'no trespassing' signs, it's OK to walk on it. Occasionally land owners disagree with that idea, usually city folks who bought a house "in the country" and don't understand the rural etiquette.

I seem to remember there are a lot of paths in England that cross private property but are accessable to the public.

I seem to remember there are a lot of paths in England that cross private property but are accessable to the public.

There are. But rather than just being gentlemen's agreements that can be changed on a whim (which happens in the US a lot), they have various laws that designate footpaths that are ALWAYS open to the public plus the "right to roam" off those paths as long as you are not causing damage or interfering with livestock, game and/or farming.

The US is all about "it is my land, no trespassing" while over there it is pretty much the exact opposite.

I'd be worried that the next owners may not like hikers on their property.