Key takeaways
- A blowdown is a tree (or trees) fallen across the trail, blocking the path.
- Caused by wind, storms, snow, or disease; common after storms and in less-maintained areas.
- It ranges from a single log to extensive tangles forcing you over, under, or around.
- Blowdowns slow travel and can complicate route-finding where they obscure the trail.
What a blowdown is
A blowdown is a tree, or many trees, that has fallen across a trail, obstructing the path — typically toppled by wind, storms, heavy snow, or disease. It ranges from a single log you step over to extensive tangles of fallen timber that force you to climb over, crawl under, or detour around.
Why they happen
Trees fall across trails from high winds and storms, snow loads, saturated ground, disease, fire damage, or age. Blowdowns are especially common after major storms and on remote, less-maintained trails that aren’t regularly cleared by trail crews.
After a windstorm, a hiker on a remote trail encounters a tangle of blowdowns — climbing over some logs, crawling under others, and skirting a big root ball — taking care with unstable timber and watching for the trail on the far side so they don’t lose the route.
How to deal with them
Step or climb over a single log; for larger ones, go over, under, or around carefully, minding footing and unstable timber. Extensive blowdowns slow travel and can obscure the trail, so watch for the blazes or tread to rejoin the correct path. Report major blowdowns to land managers so crews can clear them — and like with a tricky water crossing, don’t take risks scrambling over unstable deadfall.
The bottom line
A blowdown is a fallen tree (or tangle of them) blocking the trail — toppled by wind, storms, snow, or disease, and common after storms and on less-maintained paths. It ranges from a quick step-over to a slow, route-obscuring obstacle you must climb over, crawl under, or skirt. Mind your footing, rejoin the trail carefully, and report big ones to land managers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a blowdown?
A blowdown is a tree, or multiple trees, that has fallen across a trail and obstructs the path. They're typically toppled by wind, storms, heavy snow, or disease. A blowdown can be anything from a single log lying across the trail to a large, tangled mess of fallen timber blocking the way.
Why do blowdowns happen?
Trees fall across trails due to high winds and storms, heavy snow loads, saturated ground, disease, fire damage, or simply old age. Blowdowns are especially common after major storms and in areas that aren't regularly cleared by trail crews. Remote or less-maintained trails tend to accumulate more of them.
How do hikers deal with blowdowns?
For a single log, you step or climb over it; for larger ones, you may need to climb over, crawl under, or detour around the obstruction, taking care with footing and any unstable timber. Extensive blowdowns can significantly slow progress and obscure the trail, so watch carefully to rejoin the correct path on the other side. Report major blowdowns to land managers so trail crews can clear them.
Sources
- Trail conditions & maintenance — American Hiking Society
- Trail use — National Park Service