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
M
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
TRAIL BLAZER | Spring 2020 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
4
