The Case Against Creating or Knocking Over Cairns in the Wilderness As hikers and backpackers venture into the wilderness, creating or knocking over cairns has become increasingly prevalent.
These stacks of rocks often serve as trail markers, memorials, or warning signals for danger. However, a closer examination reveals that this practice is not as benign as it appears.
Understanding the Appeal of Cairns in the Wilderness Cairn creation and destruction have multiple purposes.