SPRING 2020 EDITION
Adjusting to Big Changes What does the COVID-19 pandemic mean for the Tahoe Rim Trail? A special message from the President of TRTA’s Board of Directors
Summer Programs and Trail Crews: What We Know (And What We Don’t)
Youth Backcountry Camps: Built on Partnerships
Equestrian Standards: Managing for Packstock on Shared-Use Trails
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
CONTENTS Trail Blazer • Spring 2020
View From the Rim
By Morgan Steel Planning for the worst, hoping for the best
The Dirt on Trail Operations By Chris Binder Trail Ops without access
Staff Picks: Must Have Gear
TRTA staff favorites revealed
Board Report
By Dave Schnake A message from the President of TRTA’s Board
Equestrian Standards
By Chris Binder Managing for packstock on shared-use trails
Volunteer News
Updates for TRTA volunteers
Youth Backcountry Camp Partner Program
By Julia Kaseta TRTA Youth Programs seek new partnerships
Lindsey’s Compass By Lindsey Schultz The wilderness within
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TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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The Trail Blazer is the official publication of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to maintain and enhance the Tahoe Rim Trail system, practice and inspire stewardship, and preserve access to the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe region.
STAFF Executive Director Morgan Steel Deputy Director Chris Binder Outdoor Programs Director Lindsey Schultz Development Manager Veronica Palmer Youth Programs Manager Julia Kaseta Trail Operations Manager Kristine Koran Office Administrator Laurie Buffington
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President Dave Schnake Vice President Jim Cline Treasurer John McCall
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Secretary Michelle Glickert Trail Operations Shannon Foley Trail Use Carl Woods Board Members Marissa Fox, Tom Fullerton, Roberta Martinoni, John Singlaub, Tricia Tong
19 The Tahoe Rim Trail Association works in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Nevada Division of State Parks
Business Members
COVID-19 UPDATES
TRTA Business Members are essential partners that help us fulfill our mission. These partners help ensure the Tahoe Rim Trail remains just as phenomenal in the future as it is today and help us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. For more information on becoming a Business Member contact Veronica at VeronicaP@TahoeRimTrail.org.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is monitoring the COVID-19 emergency and providing information to keep the TRTA community up to date on the pandemic’s impacts to the trail and the Association. We are prioritizing the health and safety of trail users, our staff and board, volunteers, and the public while working diligently to maintain operations and sustain the organization through this crisis.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association: Currently, the TRTA office is closed and all public events and in-person meetings have been canceled for the time being. Our staff are working remotely and available via phone and email. Our Board and staff continue to evaluate the situation and will keep the community updated on any additional cancellations and postponements.
The Tahoe Rim Trail: While the TRT remains open, please consider the following before using the trail: • If you are sick, with anything, please do not use the trail. Stay home. • Please do not travel to the region. Local officials have requested that anyone who is not a full-time resident of the area return home and visit another time. • Reassess your risk tolerance. While it is never a good time to need rescue or medical attention, this current crisis means it is an absolutely terrible time. We implore those using the trail to consider the risk involved and adjust plans accordingly. • Seasonal closures are in effect for most of the TRTA’s developed facilities. Regular anticipated opening dates for these facilities may be delayed. • In addition to seasonal closures, the USFS’ developed facilities in California and many Nevada State Parks facilities are closed due to COVID-19 at least through April 30th. This means gated trailheads, bathrooms, visitors centers, campgrounds etc. are not open and in some cases visitation could result in a fine. • If you are on the trail maintain social distance from others, follow public health guidelines (such as washing your hands frequently), avoid crowded areas, and consider use during off-peak times. Click here for information from the US Forest Service. Click here for information from Nevada State Parks.
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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S TA F F I N S I G H T S
View From the Rim Well shoot! As an organization, we have contingency plans for an array of different events– severe weather, injury on the trail, too much snow, too little snow, bear by Morgan Steel markets, wildfire, Executive Director etc. Unfortunately, a global pandemic was not on our radar. Our past contingency plans varied based on the crisis but always included access to the trail and opportunities to come together to make big change. That is not currently the case and that fact has thrown us for a loop. Fortunately, our various planning efforts were not in vain. Our normal crisis response rulebook still works, albeit slightly modified. We will still come together to make big changes and accomplish great things just in new and creative ways. Our first step was to take a breath, connect, and evaluate. We joined the virtual revolution and our Board of Directors has been meeting via video chat consistently over the past month to discuss the situation and evaluate our next steps. Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our trail community including our trail users, staff, and volunteers. With this in mind, we closed our office on March 16th. Our staff is now working from home to keep our
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summer programs on track. We canceled our slate of spring outreach events, trainings, and fundraisers. The big question now is what the summer will bring. Our trail season stretches from late spring through the fall and is brimming with projects and programs. We plan with assiduity throughout the winter so that on the first of May we can hit the ground running. The looming prospect of canceling a portion or even the entire trail season is heartbreaking. We are holding out hope and planning so that w can move forward with our projects in June but we would be shirking our responsibility if we did not plan for the worst as well. For the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the worst would be our programs exposing our community to the virus and its potentially life-threatening complications. To avoid this we’re evaluating different scenarios for the summer which may include canceling our guided hiking program (that provides vital funding for our organization), canceling our youth backcountry camps (during a time when programming for kids away from the home is more vital than ever), and falling behind an entire year on urgent trail construction and maintenance projects. It’s not all doom and gloom though! There is an upside to a year in which we toss out the
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
normal plans. Our organization has a slew of projects that need attention that we’ve never had time to complete. We are excited to move forward creating new proposals for reroutes, connections, and other trail improvements. We will also continue to push forward on finalizing plans for our multi-year trailhead kiosk redevelopment project. Another bright side is our incredible volunteers who have been joining video chats and strategizing how we will reach our goals in 2020. As soon as it is safe to resume working on the trail they are ready to spring into action. In the end, we are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We look forward to basking in the normal sights and sounds of summer on the TRT – mellifluous giggles radiating from our kiddo’s tents, the afterglow at an alpine lake, the high pitched rattle of hammer drills splitting granite. This year will test the resolve of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association but we are confident that the incredible organization built over the past 39 years will persevere and continue with great success inspiring stewards and preserving the trail. Onward and upward,
Morgan Steel Executive Director
so much else right now, unknown.
The Dirt On Trail Operations M
y original draft of this column began with a bold statement about how Trail Operations programs at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association are growing and expanding. With by Chris Binder Deputy Director plans to hold over 100 public work days in 2020 to maintain and improve the trail, including traditional Backcountry Camps at Watson Lake and Marlette Campground and two Wilderness Backpacking Camps in Desolation Wilderness, it seemed a statement likely to be proven true. However, as we adjust to the constantly evolving world of this pandemic we’re all reconsidering plans and expecting delays, postponements,
and cancellations. More importantly, we’re also focussing on keeping our families and communities as safe and prosperous as possible in this unprecedented moment. The TRTA’s ability to work on the TRT is determined by the conditions of the Volunteer Services Agreements (VSAs) and other contracts our organization has with the state and federal agencies who manage the land the trail passes through. These agreements outline the duties that the agencies and the Association will take on in respect to the trail, and provide essential protections for our volunteer workforce such as tort and liability insurance and workers compensation in the case of injury. In times of crises, agencies can modify or revoke VSAs in order to restrict volunteer trail activities. As of this writing, that is exactly what has happened, and all volunteer activity on the TRT has been paused indefinitely. When it will resume is, like
If there is a silver lining to the current situation, it may be that alongside our traditional (though likely reduced) on-trail presence this year, Trail Operations has been working for years behind the scenes to develop and fund projects that do not require immediate access to the trail. Some of this work is being done to advance areas the TRTA has not recently, if ever, been involved in. This includes the design and installation of highway signs to alert traffic to trail crossings and direct trail users to trailheads and access points, a complete rethinking and redesign of our aging fleet of trailhead kiosks, and plans to re-imagine and reconstruct campgrounds along the trail. While we plan our return to the trail, these projects continue to move ahead. As soon as we are able to get back out on the trail, we will be well prepared thanks in large part to our new Trail Operations Manager, Kristine Koran. Kristine brings years of trail experience with her to this newly created position, including four seasons as a Wilderness Ranger for the Eldorado National Forest where she patrolled and led trail crews along the TRT and other trails in Desolation Wilderness. Kristine is a highly-qualified and much-needed addition to our staff and we look forward to the improvements and energy she will bring to our Trail Operations programs.
TRTA Welcomes New Trail Operations Staff
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y name is Kristine Koran, and I am so excited to be working with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association as the Trails Operations Manager! I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. I graduated from the University of Tampa, FL. where I majored in Environmental Science with a minor in Marine Biology. I grew up fishing with my father and camping with my family. I built my first rock structures as a Forestry Intern for the American Conservation Experience (ACE) based in Flagstaff, AZ. My second season with ACE I completed a 900hour AmeriCorps position. I have built and maintained trails all over the United States. I moved to New Hampshire to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club in 2014. I was the Crew Leader for the Roving Conservation Crew for two years. We built and maintained trails across New England. I loved living in the White
Mountains and building bridges, staircases, and turnpikes in Maine. I started working in Mountain Operations at Vail Resorts during the winters in Colorado. I loved the Rockies but I wanted to see what the West Coast had to offer. I decided to move to California to work for Eldorado National Forest (ENF) as a Wilderness Ranger/Trails Technician in 2016. l loved backpacking in Desolation Wilderness and clearing trails with the crosscut saw. I spent four seasons working for ENF which gave me the opportunity to work with the TRTA on the Echo Summit reroute. I am so excited and grateful for my new position as the Trails Operations Manager. I’m passionate about backpacking, hiking, wildlife, rock climbing, and paddling. After working at Heavenly for two winters and all of my time in Desolation, Lake Tahoe has really become my home. I am looking forward to building our
trails community and hiking new trails. I have been volunteering and working on trails for over a decade and cannot wait to work with all of you on the trails!
Kristine on the trail in Desolation Wilderness
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Staff Picks must have Gear
Julia’s Pick
Veronica’s Pick
Lightweigh t Hammock
Whether I’m out day hiking or backpacking, my hammock always finds its way into my pack. There’s nothing quite like hanging out with a beautiful view, reading a book in the comfort of your own cocoon, and falling asleep with the sway of the wind.
Sun Umbrella
My must have gear is my sun umbrella. Its silver coating reflects sunlight and helps keep me around 5 degrees cooler on very sunny days. It also comes in handy for sudden afternoon showers and is more breathable and versatile than your typical rain gear. Rigging it to my shoulder strap frees up my hands to use my trekking poles. Worth every pound!
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TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Boot Scootin’ Bash e the Date! v a S September 13th 4:00pm to 8:00pm Due to the recent shelter-in-place orders we have postponed the Boot Scootin’ Bash until the end of summer. Mark your calendars for a night of dancing to bluegrass music, eating a delicious plant-based meal, and socializing with your fellow trail enthusiasts, all while raising money for Tahoe trails. See you then!
Save the date for September 13th, 2020! Click Here For More Information!
Kristine’s Pick This is my favorite piece of my camping cookware. This GSR mug/pot is lightweight and versatile! You can cook in it or just boil water in it. I love having a soothing cup of tea after dinner or green tea in the morning. The rubber gripper that came with this works great with any hot cookware. The insulating sleeve and lid makes it easy to drink hot beverages after boiling water on your camp stove.
o b m o C t o P / Mug
Laurie’s Pick
Inflatable Pillow
A couple of years ago I upgraded to a legit pillow from a small stuff sack of lumpy clothes (usually dirty), and I’ll never go back! My Sea to Summit Aeros inflatable pillow is well worth the 2.8 oz of weight and makes for a great night of sleep in the backcountry. It has its own mini stuff sack and it can also double as a seat cushion for my bear canister when I want extra padding. TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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Lindsey’s Pick I never thought I would opt for a rigid container with a lid to act as my bowl for consciously lightweight backpacking excursions. This is now a must have for me. My hunger level greatly fluctuates when backpacking and there’s nothing I hate more than forcing myself to finish my meal when I’m stuffed. A rigid bowl with a lid allows for food storage! I can now save my leftovers for an easy lunch the next day. Pro-tip: couple this container with a foldable spork that fits inside and your kit is set!
Nalgene Jar
Morgan’s Pick
The dropper post! I recognize this recommendation is a bit esoteric but it’s revolutionary. Picture this - you’re on your bike when the trail turns downhill and heads over a series of more technical features, you hit the lever on your handlebar and poof - your bike seat sinks down putting you in a much better position to navigate the trail. Magic.
Dropper Post!
Tahoe Rim Trail Mountain Bike Jerseys! And So Much More!
Visit Our Gear Shop! 7
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Online to Outdoor Education for Youth! Can’t get out on the trail? Now any kid can earn a Leave No Trace Awareness certificate in the comfort of her or his own home and backyard! Follow the Tahoe Rim Trail to learn about the Seven Leave No Trace principles through this online program featuring hands-on activities.
Click here to begin the path to stewardship!
BOARD REPORT
C O V I D - 1 9 PA N D E M I C A N D T H E TA H O E R I M T R A I L A S S O C I AT I O N
A Message from the President of TRTA’s Board of Directors
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he Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Tahoe Rim Trail have faced the occasional challenge over the years since the loop was completed in 2001. But none may by Dave Schnake prove as formidable Board President as the impacts of the current pandemic. Every non-profit, business (large or small), government agency, family, and individual is asking the same questions : When will the pandemic end? What will the medical and financial recovery be like? While some have been venturing answers to these questions, we are in, to use a term used frequently lately, uncharted territory. We probably won’t have definitive answers for some time.
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Starting in early March the TRTA Board of Directors has been holding regular video conference meetings to compile and discuss information as it seems to flood in. States, counties, local municipalities, tourism boards, government agencies, and other trail organizations are releasing a variety of edicts, laws, recommendations, and requests. Some have stated end dates, some will continually re-evaluate how long it will be in effect, while others are left open-ended. The Board is constantly tracking those that could have an impact on TRT users, trail construction and maintenance, guided hikes, youth programs, and fundraising. Examples of these impact questions are: Will TRTA be able to resume its trail maintenance/construction activities this summer? Delayed start? What about working with larger groups such as our backcountry camps or National Trails day? Will our agency partners at Nevada State Parks and the Forest
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Service see significant budget cuts to trails and recreation programs as our economy rebuilds? These are just a few of the numerous questions we are seeking to answer. There remain too many unknowns to make predictions. Instead the Board has been working on a list of scenarios ranging from best case to worst imaginable case. Discussing and building on these various scenarios is not a pleasant task for the Board, who tend to be hard-core optimists! But by doing so we are much better situated to avoid crises or, at least, respond to them quickly. The focus of these discussions tends to revolve around four main points, our volunteers, expenses, revenue, and institutional memory. Our volunteers are sure to be impacted by either the pandemic or its economic consequences. For the immediate future, their
Institutional memory is the concept that among our volunteers, staff, and Board there is a core level of experience and knowledge that must be retained in order to recover from a severe downturn. An organization that loses too much of its institutional memory through attrition or reductions loses its ability to eventually recover and may even risk its ability to continue its mission. It’s critical to do all we can to protect this ability.
The donor plaque at Big Meadow trailhead
focus may rightly be on their wellbeing or that of their families and others in their community. Which TRTA expenses can be postponed or canceled? If it isn’t clear we will be allowed to hold an event, like a backcountry camp, how long can we wait to decide whether to cancel the camp or buy supplies? Will members, donors, and sponsors be able to continue their strong support of the TRTA if there is a significant economic downturn? Can we depend on the revenue from the segment, thru, and Taste of Tahoe hikes since land agencies or the government could ban some or all of them this summer?
TRTA Staff and Board are seeking and evaluating new sources of financial aid such as the recently announced assistance for non-profit organizations through the Small Business Administration. Once Morgan was able to locate a financial institution that was open to applications, we had to act quickly to complete the required forms and make other adjustments required by the institution. The Board managed to hold an e-mail vote, with the legally required 100% participation of the Board, in a matter of hours. The changes were made, the forms signed, and Morgan got the application in on the first day the program was open. We’re near the front of the line! The TRTA is very fortunate to have a Board of Directors composed of a mixture of experienced TRTA volunteer guides and crew leaders along with members knowledgeable in business management, investment, law, local non-profits, and government agencies.
Their innumerable skills and dedication to the continued success of the Association are just what is needed during these challenging times. One thing many of you may have noticed during this period of sheltering-in-place is the strong desire of people to get outside to walk or bike ride. They are probably experiencing a heightened appreciation for the freedom of the hills. No doubt when the pandemic fades into memory there will a renewed demand for time spent out on the trails around Tahoe. On a more personal note, whenever I’m at either the Tahoe Meadows or Big Meadow trailheads I take a moment to look at the plaques listing the Charter Trail Guardians who made contributions to the Tahoe Rim Trail Endowment in 2001. I have been fortunate enough to meet a number of these folks who believed in and supported the preservation of the Tahoe Rim Trail into perpetuity. I find myself thinking of them often while sitting in Board meetings recently. The Association may be in for its share of challenges and changes, but I remain fundamentally confident that their vision will not be denied. Dave Schnake joined the TRTA Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as President since 2018. Dave served two terms as the Vice President of Trail Operations and has been volunteering for the TRTA since 2010.
Help support the Tahoe Rim Trail Association during this time of great uncertainty. We may not be able to physically get out on the trail for a while but we are taking advantage of this time in our (home) offices. We are working diligently to redesign our kiosks and other trail signs, develop plans for major trailhead improvements, write curriculum for our youth programs, and overhaul our Trail Management Plan. Donate now and help get us through this challenging time and ensure we can quickly return to building and maintaining trails and inspiring stewards when the time comes.
Click here to support our efforts to get back on our feet.
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F E AT U R E A R T I C L E
Equestrian Standards Managing for Packstock on Shared-Use Trails
by Chris Binder Deputy Director
Boiled crawfish can make a nice foraged addition to a trail meal.
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f you were lucky last fall you found some time in late September and early October to head out on the Tahoe Rim Trail to enjoy the crisp fall air and the relative solitude that accompany the end of the snow-free season in the Sierra. You may have been hoping to spot the last remaining brilliant yellow of aspens preparing for winter, or to climb to your favorite vista one final time before the snow blew in. What you likely would not have been prepared for is the sight of three mounted and fully uniformed Civil War cavalry rangers approaching singlefile on the trail ahead. Slightly awestruck, you may have had the presence of mind to politely step off the trail on the downhill side to let the party pass, noticing as you did the sabers at their sides, the bedrolls behind their saddles, and the handlebar mustaches that looked as if they might have marched straight out of the 1860s and onto the TRT. And in a very real way, they had. Over the course of 16 days last fall three members of the 2nd California Cavalry Company F completed a thru-ride of the Tahoe Rim Trail in the personas of First Sergeant William Baldwin, Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas Carter, and Private O.H. Cambridge, complete with full reproduction uniforms, tack, and camping equipment true to the era. Company F, known as the Sacramento Rangers, was organized and trained from late 1861 in response to President Lincoln’s request for troops in California and spent the duration of the war patrolling out of Camp Union in Sacramento, as well as other bases in the area. Their duties primarily consisted of protecting immigrants heading west, ensuring communication lines with the East remained open, and guarding shipments of gold heading to Washington to support the Union war effort. Their patrols ranged all over Northern California, including the Tahoe area. On the patrol being reenacted last fall, the rangers were searching for Confederate irregulars who had committed the infamous Bullion Bend Robbery in Pollack Pines and who were planning to use the stolen gold to recruit soldiers in California for the Confederate Army. In order to show respect for these brave soldiers, and to connect with the rich and infinitely interesting history of the Tahoe landscape and the people who have passed
through it, the reenactors left modern comforts at home. In place of down sleeping bags and ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric tents these trail users packed metal canteens and wool blouses. At night, through sub-zero temperatures and a rash of earlyseason snowstorms, the rangers wrapped up in wool blankets and canvas manties. In fact, the only modern luxuries carried by the rangers were camping stoves, required for preparing hot water and meals and while responsibly avoiding the risk of wildfire (not to mention hefty fines) that can accompany open fires along the trail.
Horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, and goats (yes goats) can be found on shared-use trails including the TRT. If you encounter stock on the trail, please keep in mind these basic rules of etiquette:
Trail Etiquette Tip #1 Hikers and bikers should yield to stock. This means stopping, moving off the trail, and laying down your bike or pack if the stock seem agitated or threatened. This unique group of TRT enthusiasts is just one example of the diversity among people who recreate on our incredible trail. It may not be every year that a group of equestrians rides the entire TRT, and it is rarer still for that
group to do so as faithful character actors playing real men who preceded them by more than 150 years. However, it is sometimes exceptional examples that make crystal clear those truths that can too often be overlooked. In this case, Company F’s inspiring ride is a reminder to all of us that trails are, and should be, a place for everyone seeking to connect with a landscape, with each other, and with themselves. Not every trail is suitable for every use, but every user group should have access to trails.
Trail Etiquette Tip #2 When yielding, hikers and bikers should move to the downhill side of the stock so they do not feel threatened. As trail managers, part of our work is to build and maintain trails to standards that will accommodate the user groups that land managers, trail users, and the general public have determined and designated through regulation to be appropriate. The TRTA and all trail managers have an obligation to ensure access to trails for the user groups those trails are open to. Who and what can go where on which trails can be a thorny subject, but on the TRT, at least, a relatively clear stance has been established when it comes to packstock. Since
Company members in Desolation Wilderness TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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a better trail, so long as those features do not impede the enjoyment and functionality of the trail for hikers and equestrians. Similarly, a stream can be built with a ford for bikes and equestrians alongside a parallel set of step stones for hikers. When trail crews are made up of enthusiasts from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels, the solutions they enact will almost always be better for everyone.
Trail Etiquette Tip #4 Don’t feed or pet stock unless you have explicit permission from the stock handlers. Brian Frontella as 1SGT William Baldwin
the trail was conceived in the late 1970s, the trail community in Tahoe has agreed resolutely that equestrians have a welcome place on the Tahoe Rim Trail. That means that the TRT for nearly its entire length is maintained to equestrian standards, which are in general more stringent and difficult to accomplish than hiker or biker standards. There are equestrian bypasses in a few locations where the trail is too narrow or crowded, or has a tread surface not appropriate for hoofs such as a metal grill bridge deck. In those places the trail being bypassed may not meet equestrian standards. Yet there are still nearly 200 miles of TRT system trails that TRTA maintains for stock use.
Trail Etiquette Tip #3
a stream ford is occluded with boulders so hikers can keep their feet dry. When members of a particular user group, or well-intentioned volunteer or agency trail crews, install features that make the trail impassable for other user groups, they are denying equal access to a shared-use path. When changes are made to a trail so that it is functional for all allowed user groups those changes are not made to deny the importance of any one group, but rather to ensure equal access for all allowed groups. This doesn’t mean that trails can’t be designed to be appealing to more than one type of trail user, or that trails should be boring or without risk. For example, on a shared-use trail, having a parallel line that allows advanced mountain bikers to enjoy a drop or a log ride makes for
The TRTA prides itself on providing a trail where people of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome and where they can find challenging and rewarding trail experiences. Managing for packstock poses unique challenges that differ significantly from managing for foot or bike traffic, but the result is ultimately a better, more inclusive trail. As we strive to make the TRT a truly shared-use trail where all allowable uses truly have access, we must all recognize the importance of building, managing, and recreating in ways that do not marginalize other allowed user groups. All photographs in this article are courtesy of Company F.
If approaching stock from behind, announce your presence calmly and well in advance. It is essential that the TRT, as a shared-use trail, provides a minimum level of safety and functionality for all allowed user groups. A trail that is not passable by the allowed user group with the most demanding needs (which on the TRT is packstock) is not truly a shared-use trail. We have all seen ad hoc modifications to established trails made by trail users. These additions can be beneficial, such as when a broken branch is thrown off the trail, but too often it seems they are made to benefit only one of many diverse user groups, such as when 13
Staying warm despite adverse conditions
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Civil War era tack and equipment
A special thank you to Brian Frontella, Rob Wangberg, and Shawn Manville for sharing their story and pictures of their thru-ride as Company F of the 2nd California Cavalry Company with the TRTA and our trail community. To read an account of the rangers’ 2019 thru-ride, which includes plenty of helpful information specifically meant for riders planning a trip on the TRT, please visit
tahoerimtrail.org/horseback-riding/
An additional thank you is warranted to our equestrian partners at the Mother Lode Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California and other equestrian groups who have supported the TRTA and volunteered on the TRT for decades. For more information on the 2nd California Cavalry Co. F Sacramento Rangers please visit
Riding along Echo Lake
www.californiacavalry.com.
Maintaining Shared-Use Trails for Stock
Packstock generally require more space in all dimensions than hikers or bikers and are particular about where they can put their hooves. USFS trail standards for stock include the following recommendations which are applicable to the TRT:
On the TRT near Barker Pass
1. The trail corridor should be cleared of vegetation to a width of at least six feet and a height of at least ten feet. 2. Tread width outside of Wilderness areas should be a minimum of two feet. 3. Packstock prefer to have all four feet on the same surface, so if required steps should be at least four feet in length. 4. Holes between roots, rocks, and other obstacles can trap a hoof and break a leg and should be removed. Trail clearance recommendations from the US Forest Services’ Equestrian Design Guidebook TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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SUMMER 2020 PROGRAMS & TRAIL CREWS
VOLUNTEER NEWS
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Due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic TRTA activities and schedules are constantly evolving. Please visit TahoeRimTrail.org, call us at 775.298.4485, or email us at Info@tahoerimtrail.org for the latest information.
Volunteer and Public Trainings All trainings in April and May have been canceled or postponed. Some trainings remain on the calendar (for now) or have been tentatively rescheduled as noted below.
Guided Adventures Like many organizations, the TRTA is taking measures to keep our volunteers, participants, staff, and community safe. While we hope to host a robust 2020 guided on-trail program this season, we, like many others, will wait and see what these next couple months hold and what is possible. Stay tuned! Stay connected!
Trail Crews Map & Compass 102 Location TBD
June 27, 2020
This course will teach you one of the most basic and essential outdoor skills- navigation with map and compass.
Crew Leader Training Stateline, NV
June 27-28, 2020
This training is geared towards those who have previously volunteered on TRTA trail crews and are interested in taking on a leadership role during volunteer trail crew workdays.
Backpacking 101 Stateline & Showers Lake June 27-28, 2020 Join us for a two-day/one-night introductory backpacking course designed to teach learn essential skills and techniques to keep you safe and comfortable while backpacking.
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
TRTA is planning to run volunteer trail crews on both North and South Shore projects most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout the summer and fall if it is safe and prudent to do so given developing pandemic conditions. In addition, several weekend volunteer camps are planned, including camps in Spooner Backcountry, Desolation Wilderness, and Watson Lake.
TRTA Volunteers, Save the Date! What: 2020 Volunteer Party Who: TRTA Volunteers When: October 18, 2020 Where: Camp Galilee, Glenbrook, NV
ACTIVE GUIDES
Ita Abarzua-Kostan Michelle Beaupied Kevin Benson Chelsea Borowski Laurie Buffington Alan Catron Jo Ann Cobb Steven Cochrane Jennifer Coon LaTrenda Easton John Ferguson Lizzie Flower Tom Fullerton Colleen Gervasi JoAnne Goena Ellen Goldsmith Jamie Goodspeed Kristen Hackbarth Steve Hale Kate Huckbody Sharell Katibah
Michael Kreisel Anna Lijphart Scott Liske Loretta Low Ro Martinoni Debbie Matuk Jim McNamara Cindy Morgan Jim Mrazek James Mueller Jan Nishikawa John Prelip George Prince John Regin Nettie Russi Joseph Salonga Ben Simonian Matthew Taylor Tricia Tong Maureen Welsh Sharon Marie Wilcox Brad Wishek Carl Woods
ACTIVE CREW LEADERS
Bob Anderson Jim Backhus Cheryl Bailey Don Bailey Phil Brisack John Clausen Randy Collins Jim Crompton Aaron Daniel Larry Davis Bill Doherty Jackie Ferek Shannon Foley Jamie Goodspeed Clay Grubb Bill Hager Dave Hennig Sue Hughes Doug Johnson Paul Krieg Mike Kuckenmeister
Bruce Levy Donna Maher Jeff Mattheiss John McCall John McKenna Chuck McVicker Lanta Olito Patrick Pevey Dave Schnake Paul Sinnott Ed Smith Steve Smith Dave Stevenson Chris Strohm Charlene Summers George Thoma Jim Waldron Mark WynneWillson
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YO U T H P R O G R A M S
Youth Backcountry Camp
Partner Program
YBCC Instructors
W
hat once consisted of a few days taking youth out on the Tahoe Rim Trail more than 13-years ago, has now grown into a robust, summer-long Youth by Julia Kaseta Backcountry Camp Youth Programs (YBCC) program, Manager built on community relationships and the drive to inspire stewardship in the next generation. The YBCC program weaves Leave No Trace ethics throughout a curriculum that utilizes hands-on activities to teach wilderness skills, natural history, and practical life skills. Youth participants practice self-sufficiency in a wil17
derness context while overcoming challenges and experiencing the joy in backcountry living with their peers. Participants complete the program feeling more self-confident, empowered to share stewardship practices, and eager to spend more time unplugged and outdoors. Each year, the TRTA forms partnerships with social-service organizations in the Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities to implement the Youth Backcountry Camp Partner Program. The Partner Program is a free program aimed to provide YBCC adventures to underserved youth. The YBCC Partner Program is designed as a true collaboration. Passionate TRTA staff work alongside staff and volunteers from social-service organizations to provide the physical and mental health benefits of time spent outdoors to youth that often do not have access to outdoor opportunities due to financial, social, cultural, and/or other barriers to entry.
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The TRTA provides all required food, gear, curriculum, transportation, and lead instructors at no cost to partner groups or participants thanks to support from generous donors and grantors. Our partners recruit 8-12 teens to attend their YBCC trip and two chaperones to serve as YBCC instructors and support the
Send a Kid to Camp! If you would like to support youth underserved in outdoor education, donate to our youth programs. Help TRTA raise funds for kids to attend a YBCC camp in 2021 at no cost! Email
JuliaK@tahoerimtrail.org
or call 775.298.4485 for more information.
TRTA’s Lead Instructor during the trip. No two partnerships are the same. The program’s success comes from its flexibility which results in individualized trips that suit each
“The TRTA provides all necessary equipment and has fantastic instructors that can make an impact on our kids. Without this program I do not feel the club would have the means to get these future stewards out on the trails.” YBCC’ers on Freel Peak
Thanks to the TRTA’s YBCC Supporters:
Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe partner’s needs. With a common goal to positively impact young lives, the TRTA and partner organizations implement progressive curriculum to serve the skill level of both new and returning participants. Past programs have highlighted the program’s impact with 74% of 2019 participants feeling more self-confident, 80% feeling better equipped to overcome challenges, and 88% feeling more connected to nature. Mission accomplished! With our 2020 program already in the works, the TRTA is looking forward to 2021 and increasing the capacity of this program to ensure all youth have the opportunity to get outside and experience a YBCC trip! Apply this fall to join the YBCC Partner program. Details on the program timeline
are included below. See the TRTA’s
Partner Program website
YBCC
for more
details and to apply for 2021! Questions regarding the TRTA’s Youth Backcountry Camp Partner Program can be sent to Julia Kaseta, Youth Pograms Manager at
JuliaK@tahoerimtrail.org
or
call
775.298.4493.
“This trip was incredibly valuable and important to our kids as it pushed them outside of their comfort zone and exposed them to skills and opportunities that they would not have gotten otherwise.”
YBCC Partner Program Responsibilities Timeline
- TRTA Members & Donors - Andrew Family Foundation - Eccles Hayward Family Foundation - El Dorado Community Foundation - John Ben Snow Memorial Foundation - Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority - Lana Vento Charitable Trust - NV Recreational Trails Program - Parks Project - Reno Rodeo Foundation - Soroptimist International of Lake Tahoe - Tahoe League for Charities - Vail Resorts EpicPromise Foundation - William H. Moffat Jr. Foundation
Consider becoming a YBCC Partner! Recruit youth, join the YBCC experience, and provide the teens in your network the opportunity to experience the wild!
Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada
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OUTDOOR PROGRAMS
Lindsey’s Compass
The Wilderness Within
T
o help improve the experience of our TRTA guided hike program participants, on January 2nd I flew to by Lindsey Schultz Arizona to embark Outdoor Programs on a month-long Director journey through the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and the Cochise Stronghold with the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) Southwest Outdoor Educator course. I’d like to share some of the discoveries I made on my journey and hope to employ to enhance the TRTA’s guided adventures. Once in the backcountry, our connection to the outside world was cut off: no phone, no electricity, no internet. Just twelve strangers with all of our anticipated needs for the next month packed tightly into our 50-pound backpacks. Our daily camping destinations and water sources were determined by topographic maps, compasses, and teamwork. These tools guided us through the desert ocotillo shrub and saguaro cacti clusters with only the occasional desert bighorn sheep or Sonoran pronghorn marking our progress. Our daily goals were simple and concrete, with nearly every waking activity tied directly to meeting the physical and psychological needs of our group: food, shelter, sleep, safety, and a collective sense of belonging and respect for one another. The sun was a welcomed beacon of warmth in the 19
morning and an unrelenting adversary in the afternoon, allowing little in the way of shade. At night, the stars emblazoned the blue-black sky with a cacophony of light hugging the tips of the towering granite silhouettes lining the horizon. In the weeks following my return to Tahoe, I missed the simplicity, clarity of purpose, and camaraderie of those 31 days in the backcountry. Now, in this new reality of social distancing and sheltering in place, I miss that simplicity even more acutely. Some of the lessons that stuck with me are lessons that apply to this moment. The leadership model that NOLS uses helped me understand how every member of a group contributes to the group’s success by fulfilling various roles. In this particular moment, the roles of self-leader and peer leader have become vital. In the age of COVID-19, the essential quality of discipline and selfleadership shines through in our collective adherence to public safety guidelines and social distancing measures. Our peer leadership is seen in the acts of neighbors sewing masks for friends, family, and workers or picking up groceries for neighbors. We are in a moment of self-care, self-accountability, and peer leadership in which individuals are seeing the needs of the group and acting to fill those needs. These qualities will enhance our future programs as our participants’ interdependence and support of each other is explored.
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How we naturally respond to a situation can be tempered meet the demands of a group. Self-leadership requires risk assessment. Our actions can have grave effects on ourselves and our communities. Although the context is very different, the same logic applies to the backcountry. Basic needs must be met to stay safe. The safety of the group is critical for the group’s success. The closeness that is felt with this collective sense that we’re all in this together is rare and precious. While I have always valued and been amazed by the lasting connections that are made by participants of TRTA programs, I don’t think I fully understood until now how deeply those connections are felt. Now I see that we are not just checking boxes off a bucket list. Outdoor programs, group hikes, and wilderness experiences fulfill something primitive and important. We need to take care of ourselves to take care of the group. There is a deep and lasting joy in group journeys and group achievements. More than anything, my time in the backcountry taught me the intimacy and beauty of shared experience in the wilderness. There is a profound gratitude and closeness that can be felt when a group comes together and shares space, stories, and vulnerabilities while working to accomplish goals. The wilderness asks so little of us but gives so much, and within our wide-open spaces we are all in a space in which we can be our best selves, our best leaders.
Lindsey rock climbing in the Cochise Stronghold
Lindsey (center) with course participants
Tahoe Rim Trail Photo Contest The Tahoe Rim Trail Photo Contest is back! We need your help to collect high-quality photographs to grace the pages of our 2021 calendar. Twelve top photos will be selected and winners will receive a prize. Landscapes, portraits, action shots - anything goes!
Click Here For More Information! Entrants, please submit your high resolution (2.0 MB or higher) photos between May 1 and September 1. Only photos taken on the Tahoe Rim Trail system are eligible. Photos from any season are welcome. Only online submissions will be considered. Visit the link above for contest guidelines and instructions.
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