Is it OK to Leave Trail Magic Unattended?

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Treadiquette is a monthly column helping hikers calibrate their moral compasses. Have a burning question about ethics or etiquette on the trail? Send your predicaments to treadiquette@backpacker.com

It’s a feeling thru-hikers know well: You’re 20 miles deep into your day, sun-weary, a little parched. The thought of choking down yet another peanut butter tortilla is less than appealing, but you’re hungry. As you sprinkle the last of your Frito dust onto the wrap, you do your best to conjure memories of that asada burrito from your favorite food truck back home. That’s when it appears, like a vision through the trees: Trail magic.

Providing fresh food, beverages, and other kinds of support to long-distance hikers is a time-honored tradition for many locals who live in proximity to trails like the AT and PCT. Some trail angels will make a day of providing magic, pitching a pop-up tent at a sunny trailhead, setting up camp chairs and charging stations, and socializing with hikers over a grill or a beer. But for others, the magic is in the anonymity: One might drop a cache of water or fruit at a trail junction then retreat, so that hikers may stumble upon it like a gift from the fairies.

The concept might seem simple, but there’s a subtle art to trail magic. Say there’s a trailhead near your house that you know thru-hikers pass through. You’ll want to think twice before dropping a stash of snacks and a few six-packs beside the trail.

“I definitely saw this executed poorly,” said David “Zookeeper” Gleisner, Backpacker’s 2023 PCT correspondent. “Some people left out a big box of donuts and the chipmunks were all over it.”

It’s best practice to stay with your trail magic: You’ll be able to chat with hikers, offer some company and encouragement, and most importantly, clean up. As demonstrated by those chipmunks, a lot can go wrong when leaving food unattended in the woods. On top of the risk of attracting hungry critters (including big critters of the ursine variety), unattended trail magic can create a mess on the trail, and may detract from others’ nature experience. There’s an additional risk of illness when it comes to serving food non-commercially—norovirus and other sicknesses can spread like wildfire through hiker bubbles.

For these reasons and others, most long trail organizations advise trail angels not to leave food or anything else unattended on the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy warns against a variety of negative impacts from all kinds of trail magic, and notes that along the AT, it’s illegal to leave personal property on public land. The Pacific Crest Trail Association takes a similar stance against unattended trail magic. Leave No Trace also cautions against leaving trail magic unattended, citing risks of litter, wildlife attraction, safety concerns, and the diminishment of natural beauty along the trail.

With all that being said, unattended trail magic is common along long trails, and it’s unlikely to stop any time soon. If you are determined to stash some snacks then dip out, there are some measures you can take to be more responsible. Trail angels should consider Leave No Trace principles, and the safety of wildlife and hikers when leaving magic (especially of the edible variety) unattended. You should also keep in mind how your gifts will affect the hiking experience for those seeking self-reliance and a pristine encounter with nature.

“There are certainly best practices for leaving magic rather than passing it out in person,” said Scott Vanderlip, co-founder of TrailAngelCentral.org, which provides resources for trail angels and hikers. 

Vanderlip says that it’s best to leave food in weather-proof, critter-proof containers; metal ammo boxes with secure closures are a popular option, and with modifications, they can be made bear-proof (although we recommend against leaving any food unattended in bear country). Avoid disposable coolers, especially styrofoam, which animals will easily be able to destroy. It’s a good idea if the food and beverages inside are sealed, too—this will make it less tempting for critters, and make it clear to hikers if something has gotten into it. Plus, pre-packaged food is generally more hygienic than offering homemade goods. Vanderlip notes that hikers should properly close the containers when they’re finished.

“Most [trail angels] invest in a metal cooler or metal box and have options to leave empty cans for pickup by the angel,” said Vanderlip. “Sometimes just water containers are left but animals may leave those alone.”

Another key to responsible trail magic is deliberate site selection. Trail angels should never leave food unattended in bear country, or areas where animals are known to seek food from humans. Again, stashing personal property on public land is illegal: Rangers in some national parks will impound food caches, and you risk being fined when leaving unattended trail magic. Food caches are allowed in some areas, like for permit-holders along the Wonderland Trail, but the park service has strict rules for doing so. If you’re determined to leave food along a trail, take location into consideration. Road crossings and off-trail areas that hikers may frequent, such as public parks, are better options than along a remote stretch of trail.

Some hikers only want to see nature while hiking—as a trail angel, don’t compromise that. If you’re leaving trail magic, seek out humanmade structures like bridges where your cache will be less of an eyesore. Make sure it’s accessible for you to clean up any mess that results. If you plan to leave trail magic alone, return at the end of the day to collect garbage, clean the area, and take your containers and leftovers home. Don’t leave trail magic out for extended periods of time—there’s a fine line between hiker support and litter.

Donuts aside, Gleisner happened upon plenty of welcome unmanned trail magic during his PCT thru-hike. Near Mt. Shasta, he came upon a collection of ammo boxes under a bridge filled with all sorts of goodies. “When I was there, there was cold milk, cereal, avocados, candy, Gatorade powder…” he said. “And this was also during a 25-hour stretch of not seeing a single other human, so it was a welcome relief.”

Gleisner said that whoever left that particular trail magic clearly did a great job maintaining and restocking the supply, which was neatly organized and surrounded by thank you notes from refreshed thru-hikers. For him, stumbling upon unsuspected treats from an anonymous angel really did feel like magic.

Tips for Aspiring Trail Angels

• Know your audience. While hungry hikers are sure to appreciate whatever you’re able to offer, food and drink that are scarce on the trail are sure to hit the spot. Think fresh fruit and veggies, heavy perishables like meat and eggs, and all types of cold beverages (or hot soup on a cold day). Grab-and-go snacks that hikers can eat on the move are also popular for those keeping an eye on their pace. Unexpected amenities, like a way to charge electronic devices, are also great. But while most backpackers love a cold beer, it’s a bad idea to leave alcoholic beverages unattended.
• Pick a good location. Make sure your trail magic is in a spot you’ll be able to check, maintain, and clean up after, and that’ll be discoverable by hikers. Trailheads and other artificial structures offer plenty of room for hikers to sit and enjoy the food, and ensure that your stash won’t detract from the wilderness experience of a more remote locale. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy suggests choosing a location that does not take away business from trailside communities that rely on hikers.
• Develop a routine. Visit your spot frequently to clean up and restock. If you notice signs of litter or other adverse impacts of your trail magic, consider staying nearby next time, or reevaluating your system.
• Leave a container for trash disposal. If there’s one thing thru-hikers love as much as a free meal, it’s offloading their garbage. Leaving a sealable, animal-proof container where hikers can get rid of trash will ensure your provisions have minimal impact on the surrounding area, and it’s a bit of trail magic in itself. Be sure to empty the trash often.
• Think outside the food box. If you don’t have the time or resources to hand out food to hikers, there are other ways to offer support. Trail magic can take many forms; if you’re able, consider leaving contact info so you can offer rides, resupplies, or other services to thru-hikers, or volunteer your time to maintain the trail.
• Leave a note. Most hikers are courteous and abide by LNT principles—but a reminder never hurt anyone. If you leave trail magic unattended, it’s a good idea to leave a note showing hikers where they can leave trash. A note can also ensure that curious dayhikers leave plenty of magic for the thru-hikers you intended it for.
• Get online. There are plenty of digital resources for aspiring trail angels. Search for Facebook groups in your area where you can connect with thru-hikers and other locals. Apps like FarOut have platforms to connect trail angels and hikers, as well as the network at Trail Angel Central.