The word cairn is derived from the Scottish Gaelic meaning stone man. It can conjure images of faith, purpose, and the spiritual journey. In the backcountry, cairn building is a popular trend, and it’s easy to understand why people feel attracted by these sweet little stacks of flat rocks that are balanced like child’s building blocks. A hiker who is suffering from aching shoulders and black flies buzzing around her ears will try to pick a stone with the perfect blend of flatness as well as tilt, width and depth. After a few missed opportunities (one too large, another too small), a purist will choose the stone that fits perfectly into place. The second layer of the Cairn is now completed.
What many don’t realize is that cairn-making can have a negative environmental impact, particularly when it is done near water sources. When rocks are removed from the edge of a river, lake or pond, they disrupt the ecosystem and degrade the microorganisms’ habitats that help to support the entire food chain. These rocks can also be carried away from the edge of a pond or lake by erosion, and end up in areas where they may harm humans or wildlife.
This is why the practice of constructing cairns is not recommended in areas with rare or endangered mammals, amphibians or reptiles or plants and flowers that require the humidity that is locked in the rocks. If you build a rock cairn on private land, it could be in violation of federal and state laws protecting the natural resources of the land and result in fines or even arrest.