The (Trail-wise) Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19

Let’s talk about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. But not in human terms -  rather, the signs and symptoms manifested on the trails.  In the next few days some of the trails on public lands will be opening up, but lest we forget these historic happenings, let’s capture a little time capsule of the signage that has come to be in the last couple of months.  So, here is a little photo essay of some of the signs deployed by various land managers in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Issaquah has kept the trails and paths in their jurisdiction open, but installed these helpful reminders of safe behavior.

King County has taken this approach for “non-essential use” of regional trails, such as the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail.

And, when necessary, the signage has been more direct. Shown here is the High Point trailhead for the Issaquah-Preston Trail.

Most of Tiger Mountain is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. Here is an example of their signage, as deployed at the East Sunset trailhead.

The signage at the Lake Sammamish State Park is short-and-sweet.

For the bold that use the trails of Lake Sammamish anyway, there are reminders to “Please keep your social distance.”

OK, so this isn’t a trail, but still a noteworthy new sign of the COVID-19 era in a local grocery store.

Lastly, a helpful reminder on the Rainier Trail from a Happy Wanderer.