Some cairns are notable for their sheer size -- standing in testament to the efforts of some unknown builder. Was this the creation of one person, piling stones into a man-made mountain to mark the trail for all time? Or the result of many travelers, each adding their own stone -- a signature -- as they pass along the trail? Was it built in a day -- or over years? These ageless stones give no clue; as a cold wind races over the high-altitude landscape.

I never build, modify or touch any of these cairns.
In fact, visitors building cairns inside federal national parks is discouraged, since these are typically built and maintained by park rangers. But on state and private lands just outside official parks, creativity flourishes -- and for some, nature is their canvas. I simply take a moment to admire and photograph these, before moving on in search of the next cairn or marker that will take me higher into the tranquil mountains.