As someone who works on the trail, I implore you: don't build fire rings. They are an eyesore that last for decades; they morph into garbage dumps. One nice campsite might sprout a fire ring, but many others will pop up nearby. Many hikers don't even build fires anymore; I don't except in the winter. A fire ring only blocks horizontal heat radiation.If you feel you must build a fire ring, break it down when you leave