WINTER 2021 EDITION
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? The science behind the smoke page 6
VIEW FROM THE RIM
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
S
eptember 30th passed with little fanfare in 2021. While the Tahoe Rim Trail Association was playing catch up after fire evacuations and smoke cancellations, we missed a rather historic and, unfortunately, dismal milestone. September 30th marked the end of the water year in California. This past year was a doozy, the driest in almost a century following only 1924 based on statewide precipitation. Adding to the scale of this disaster were record-breaking heat days. By the middle of August, South Lake Tahoe, CA had experienced 13 occasions by Morgan Steel in which the temperatures tied or set a new record for high Executive Director temperature. While we missed the official end of the water year, we felt the implications of its bad news. Whether you were one of the thousands of Northern Californian and Nevadan residents who evacuated their homes due to fires, spent days holed up in your home or office to avoid wildfire smoke, or had to cancel plans to adventure out on trails that were impacted by extensive forest closure orders; the drought and its impacts hit us all. This hot and dry weather extend a grim pattern of dry years across the west, which played out on the ground with disastrous consequences for the Tahoe Basin. This year’s winter Trail Blazer takes a deep dive into the impact fire has on trails and recreation. While I am manifesting a massive snow year with wetting rains across the West’s lower elevations, the reality of a changing climate means more years like 2021 are ahead. As an organization, we are evaluating how best we prepare for these types of events and protect our recreational resources because when life is stressful and we contemplate another summer anxiously checking air quality index forecasts, nature’s salve is essential and we all need the opportunity to get outside! Happy Trails,
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 Development Director Veronica Palmer Director of Operations Tommy Rosenbluth Outdoor Programs Director Lindsey Schultz Finance and Admin Manager Judi Van Fleet Trail Operations Manager Kristine Koran Youth Programs Manager Julia Kaseta Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kate Gallaugher Office Administrator Laurie Buffington
BOARD OF DIRECTORS T R TA S TA F F T E A M
President Tom Fullerton Executive Vice President Tricia Tong
W
e’ve seen a lot of change within the TRTA Staff Team over the past 12 months. This year we welcomed Tommy Rosenbluth as our Director of Operations. Tommy comes to us most recently from the American Public Gardens Association and is now managing the TRTA’s long-term trail project planning, trail research, and our grants. To help implement field projects, we hired a small trail crew for the summer led by Michelle Edmonson a long-time Crew Leader volunteer with the organization. Also joining the team this year is our Outreach and Marketing Coordinator, Kate Gallaugher. Kate moved to Tahoe from New Mexico and is leading our efforts to educate the public on sustainable trail use and the TRTA’s volunteer opportunities. Finally, we added Judi Van Fleet to the TRTA staff as our Finance and Admin Manager. Judi keeps our organization running smoothly by managing office operations and financial processes. She will be filling big shoes as Laurie Buffington, our long-time Office Manager, retires at the end of the year.
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TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Treasurer Dave Schnake Secretary Michelle Glickert VP of Trail Ops Shannon Foley VP of Trail Use Carl Woods VP of Sustainable Funding Justin Knowles Board Members Marissa Fox, Joe Irvin, Ro Martinoni, John McCall, & Bryan Wright
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association works in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and Nevada Division of State Parks
@tahoerimtrail
@tahoerimtrailassociation
CONTENTS View from the Rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 TRAIL OPERATIONS The Dirt on Trail Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FEATURE What Does the Future Hold? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 VOLUNTEERING Trail Building Masters of the TRT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Volunteer Spotlight: Don Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 DEDICATIONS Views We Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Diversifying the Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 NEWS Paper Trails Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 TRTA Photo Contest Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Save the Date: Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 TRTA Annual Awardees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Share Your Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Trail through Van Sickle Bi-State Park
HAPPY TRAILS LAURIE! Laurie Buffington, the TRTA’s Office Administrator, will be retiring at the end of 2021. For a decade and a half, Laurie has been the heart and soul of the TRTA office. Laurie started with the Association in 2005, but as an avid outdoor enthusiast, she was already well acquainted with
the Tahoe Rim Trail. She has the illustrious distinction of being one of the first hundred members (#92) of our 165-Mile Club which means she completed the trail as we completed construction of the loop in 2001. Laurie’s passion for the trail is mirrored by her dedication to her work. As our Office Administrator, Laurie made sure we had the resources needed to effectively protect the trail and provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for trail users. She was also often tasked with the issues, the ‘unfun’ stuff at a trail association—payroll glitches, mailing hassles, last-minute program needs, merchandise backorders, missing addresses, office moves, database switches, etc. She handled it all with grace and efficiency, remarking after the fact on the number of layers involved with the solution, never mentioning the added headache. Laurie is also involved with our guided hiking programs. Many trail users have been lucky to experience the TRT with Laurie as their guide and glean her vast knowledge of the trail, the Sierra’s indelible flora and fauna, and interesting Tahoe factoids. We are sad to see Laurie go, but would only let her go for such a momentous occasion. Laurie will be skiing Tahoe’s peaks and diving into Baja’s refreshing waters while planning more adventures around the Sierra and the world. While she’ll no longer be here to be the glue that holds the office together, she’ll always be the heart and soul of our team.
TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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The Dirt On Trail Operations T
he “new” normal does not just apply to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also wildfire season throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sadly, in recent years, our trail by Tommy Rosenbluth construction and Director of Operations maintenance season has coincided with a new recordbreaking wildfire season. Unfortunately, the 2021 season was no different, preventing a lot of planned trail construction and maintenance on the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT).
Three major wildfires close to the TRT and nearby communities caused hazardous air quality, damage and destruction to structures, and eventually led to lateAugust public land closures across the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Tragically, many public workdays scheduled for the summer months were canceled. Unlike COVID-19, there is no vaccine for the current climate crisis. Our Trail Operations program is evolving and working with the landscape to find natural and sustainable solutions to trail construction and maintenance so that future generations can enjoy the TRT and the beautiful flora and fauna it offers. This means planning around times of the year when the TRT is likely to be impacted by wildfire season.
On National Trails Day in June, 2021 a volunteer at Van Sickle Bi-State Park helps remove overgrown brush to widen the trail corridor.
Despite the great challenges this trail season, our trail operations volunteers and staff accomplished a ton. Our team of volunteer Crew Leaders, supported by our small paid trail crew and hundreds of community volunteers performed essential maintenance from Tunnel Creek to Mt. Rose, in Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Mott Canyon, Brockway Summit, Ward Creek, Desolation Wilderness, Echo Summit, and Painted Rock. All told, maintenance happened in every corner of the trail and the entire TRT system was assessed. Additionally, we were thrilled to bring back multi-day backcountry work camps after COVID cancellations in 2020, running five in and near Desolation Wilderness this summer; two at Middle Velma Lake, two at Fontanillis Lake, and one at Richardson Lake.
Major Project Updates
As difficult as the 2021 trail construction and maintenance season was, it’s important to celebrate the victories: • At the Brockway Summit West Trailhead, steps were installed to stabilize the hillside and provide better access to the trail from parking areas. • Approaches were built for the Echo Lakes Conduit Bridge using eight by eight pressure-treated lumber, creating a six-tier staircase to reduce erosion and reduce the approach grade for trail users. • Over 2,000 feet of trail was built at Painted Rock, roughly .4 miles of this 1.2 mile trail reroute we aim to complete in 2022. • At Ward Creek, we added seven steps, 100-feet of turnpike, and performed essential maintenance to strengthen tread and address water flow in this perennially wet area of the trail. • Significant work took place in Desolation Wilderness to improve tread, add steps, restore camping spots, and remove overgrown brush near Richardson Lake, Middle Velma Lake, and Fontanillis Lake. • Overall 178 trees were cleared from the trail tread, 85 steps were added, and 29 signs were installed throughout the TRT system. As we look ahead to the 2022 season, we have critical projects planned including 175 miles of trail maintenance and
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in the Tahoe Region is something that sets it apart. Fulfilling the dual mission of providing recreational enjoyment and finding sustainable solutions to maintain a trail for future generations is a challenge, and requires inclusion and collaboration of multiple stakeholders, along with a willingness to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. I have felt welcomed and included by volunteers, staff, and partners who were up for that challenge the moment I started working here.
Steps were built to more safely approach the Echo Lakes Conduit Bridge. The PCT/TRT crosses the conduit near Johnson Pass Road.
Humboldt-Toiyabe and TRTA staff work together to install the Horse Meadows Trailhead sign near the parking area.
assessments, reroutes, trailhead kiosks and sign improvements, campground facility enhancements, water accessibility and infrastructure improvements, and wildfire rehabilitation on damaged TRT sections including rehabbing dozer lines and structures. We also look forward to collaborating more with our partner organizations like the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and Pacific Crest Trail Association, helping them rehabilitate damaged trails and creating stronger
connections to the TRT system. Since late May when I was appointed Director of Operations, I have been amazed and inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm of our trail operations volunteers that generously donate their time to ensure the TRT remains one of the premier trail systems in the world. I have been fortunate to work in some of the most treasured public lands in the United States including Yellowstone National Park, but the devotion to community-based conservation
Painted Rock volunteers work together to move rocks to strengthen the trail tread.
A TRAIL OF RESILIENCY One word comes to mind when thinking of our trail operations volunteers and the TRT System: Resilient. This October, we were granted permission from the Forest Service to assess the dozer lines and extent of fire damage from Mott Canyon to Star Lake. This was my first time on this section of the trail, and I am happy to report no damage from wildfires. It also contains one of the largest western white pine trees I’ve ever seen. It is a tree that has withstood the test of time, surviving the Comstock logging era and proximity to Heavenly Ski Resort, greeting trail users and reminding them of the majestic beauty ahead that includes a dense forest of large red firs, old-growth junipers, white pines, breathtaking views of the Carson Valley, and Hemlock-ringed Star Lake nestled at the feet of the highest mountain peak in the Tahoe Basin, Freel Peak. The biodiversity found on this short stretch of trail is a sterling example of why the TRT is both “a trail like no other” and has a committed “volunteer base like no other.” Our volunteers and the landscape we work in are resilient and that is what helps remind people why Mark Twain described Lake Tahoe as the Jewel of the Sierra, words that ring true today.
TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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WHAT DOES THE The Science Behind the Smoke
T
he summer of 2021 was another historic fire season for western states with mega-fires like the 900,000-acre+ Dixie Fire and the 221,000-acre+ Caldor Fire, which crossed into the Tahoe Basin and garnered international attention. As the Tahoe Rim Trail Association grapples with how best to preserve and improve the trail experience during the West’s intensifying fire seasons, the Association is leaning into the science behind these mega-fires and taking a deeper look at why these fires are growing so big, how fires are managed, and what individuals and communities can do to help mitigate the risk of future mega-fires. Historically, and under President Theodore Roosevelt, the role of the newly formed US Forest Service (USFS) was to manage timber production and the health of US forests to provide a sustainable supply of timber for a rapidly growing country. The USFS based its management approach on European practices which relied heavily on fire suppression to protect the economic value of the timber. Eventually, as wildfire seasons grew in length and intensity due to more fuel accumulation throughout western forests, the catastrophic consequences of decades of suppression efforts highlighted the need for fire on the landscape and the deficiencies of a suppression-only management strategy towards wildfire. After 13 smokejumpers perished in the Mann Gulch fire in 1949, the USFS reevaluated its
forest and fire management practices. It created the Rocky Mountain Research Station Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory to provide cutting-edge wildfire science and technology. The new areas of study evaluated when, where, and how to fight wildfire while also balancing the ecosystem’s dependence on occasional low-intensity wildfire. Wildfire science has provided evidence that the mega-fires the West has experienced in the past decade are the result of excessive amounts of fuels on the forest floor, climate change, and also an increase in human traffic in forested and/or remote areas. Both good and bad fire exists. Bad fire cannot be addressed without good fire, and prescribed burns are one possible solution to reduce the amount of fuel in the forest. A wildfire at the right place and time can help restore the health of fire-dependent ecosystems by reducing the number of hazardous fuels, removing invasive species which threaten the health and survival of native species, minimizing the spread of disease and pest insects, improving soil health by recycling nutrients back into the soil, and promoting the growth of trees, wildflowers, and plants. Prescribed fires and well-managed low-intensity wildfires reduce the risk of unwanted wildfires in the future. Sara McAllister, Ph.D., a Research Mechanical Engineer at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory notes, “you’re really not going to
FUTURE HOLD? by Lindsey Schultz & Kate Gallaugher
have the best fire mitigation if you don’t go in and burn. The question we often ask folks is, what type of smoke and fire do you want? A little in the fall in spring, or a lot all summer long.” Today, firefighting resources are able to contain and control about 97% of all fires. However, for the 3% of fires that grow beyond that control, the fires can become catastrophic long-term events that burn at high intensity, no longer providing any ecological benefit and resulting in the destruction of whole communities built in the wildland-urban interface. These fire events are managed with strategy and tactics formed based on a suite of risk-based tools and fire behavior models developed by the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab and implemented on the ground by thousands of firefighting personnel like Armando Perez, a Hotshot with the Eldorado National Forest. Armando has more than a decade of experience fighting wildfires and notes the importance of fire science and the data they receive. He explains, “topography, weather, and fuels are the main things we look at. We can’t control the weather. We really can’t control the fuels or topography but we can manipulate it by eliminating some fuels or by line placement.” Modeling and data from fire scientists and fire weather from meteorologists are essential to bringing large-scale fires under control. For firefighters like Armando it’s been a hard year not only in terms
Above: The Caldor Fire Perimeter Below: Hot Shots for the Eldorado National Forest fight the Caldor Fire.
As humans continue to recreate, build, and move further into wildlands, everyone has a responsibility to reduce wildfire risk.
Forest closure sign near Meyers, CA at the apex of the Caldor Fire
Eldorado National Forest Hot Shots
of fire behavior but also the locations his crew has found themselves fighting fire. This year Eldorado Hotshots fought fire in their backyard, at one point having to burn lines in front of their base in Sly Park as well as fighting near the homes of neighbors, family, and friends. Personal relationships aside, wildland firefighters usually fight fire in the wilderness, and not as often in areas populated with humans and structures. “It does change our tactics,” Armando explains, “if there are no houses and we’ve got a ridge, we can pretty much put our line on top of the ridge and secure it. But when you have houses spread out, now you can’t put a straight line where you normally would because you have these structures.” He adds, “You don’t change your procedures, you change the way you’re going to burn the area. It’s going to be a slower burn and you need more resources. You need more engines, water, holding resources, and a lot of luck.” Armando and his crew will continue to split their time between current fires and rehabilitation work in the Caldor Fire burn area. After a fire has been suppressed, significant work remains to rehabilitate the forest. Dozer lines, burn lines, and charred hazard trees render burned regions unsightly and especially hazardous. Armando says that getting ahead on rehabilitation work will minimize future damage to the forest. As humans continue to recreate, build, and move further into wildlands, everyone has a responsibility to reduce wildfire risk and support firefighting efforts. Data from the Wildland Fire Management Information (WFMI) and USFS Research Data Archive shows that nearly 85% of wildfires are triggered by humans. “A lot of the fires that start out here are abandoned campfires or (due to) negligence,” Armando states. The public should know the current fire restrictions in their area and follow front and backcountry fire-related rules, regulations, temporary closures, and evacuation orders. “If the forests are closed or
Aerial photo of plumes of smoke enveloping the Tahoe Basin (8/29/2021).
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A wildfire at the right place and time can help restore the health of fire-dependent ecosystems.
Ski Boundary sign once prominently placed high on a tree, now a remnant of the Caldor Fire.
Soil and vegetation damage from the Caldor Fire
ADVENTURE DEFERRED, NOT RISKED
Echo Summit Reroute, completed in 2020, now charred the campsites are closed…that’s because the fuels are super receptive and a small campfire could turn into a big fire real quick.” If a fire starts, following evacuation orders and respecting closure orders are some of the biggest things the public can do to help. When fires are raging, the public should follow evacuation orders to allow firefighters to do their job more efficiently. The TRT was incredibly fortunate to not have suffered more extensive fire damage from the Caldor Fire and that is in large part to our partners, trail community, and wildland firefighters like Armando Perez. Our thanks and sincere gratitude to all the individuals involved with managing wildland fires both locally and afar who helped keep our community safe during this record-breaking wildfire season.
This year, TRT users had trouble deciphering a multitude of news sources and websites, and how their planned adventures might be impacted by poor air quality, and how a fire may grow to impact their experience. The best laid plans were thwarted for many first-time and veteran adventurers. It’s important to remember that safety always comes first, and to know that when it comes to fire, things can change quickly. The risk of recreating during fire-season is a high one. Remember that having even the slightest doubt based on available information of whether you should recreate or not should be the deciding factor. The potential to be evacuated or harmed from fire is not worth it. And while we know many look forward to their experiences on the TRT, plans can change during summer fire months. Like the trail system itself, be adaptable and ready for a change with contingency plans. Your adventure might be delayed for a better experience, one not filled with worries over smoke and fire. Please check our trails condition page or contact the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit during the summer months with questions or to find additional information.
TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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Master Trail Builder, Chris Strohm, flags a design and layout for a south shore trail.
Trail Building Masters of the Tahoe rim trail A
trail begins with an idea. Often, what should be pristine wilderness is scarred by social trails where humans have carved a route by foot, horse, or bike. The need for a trail stems from the desire to provide access to the landscape while preserving the characteristics that make the area attractive to trail users in the first place. The TRT does just that as it connects peaks, spans valleys, and winds its way through the Tahoe Basin. As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the TRTA and its incredible volunteers that have been essential to the creation, completion, and maintenance of the trail, we also reflect on the impact of our Master Trail Builders (MTBs). Over our 40 years, the status of Master Trail Builder has been earned by 22 talented individuals. To receive this distinction, volunteers must progress through the ranks of Crew Leader Trainee, Crew Leader, and Senior Crew Leader. To progress to each new level requires mastery of trail building and maintenance techniques as well as involvement in project coordination and implementation. TRTA Master Trail Builders come from a variety of life experiences and backgrounds but all share a love of outdoor recreation 10
and a certain level of obsession, patience, and commitment. Clay Grubb, a MTB, has been with the TRTA for 19 years. Besides the knowledge that comes from years of practice, his trail building resume includes a swath of training courses such as CalParks Design and Layout Trainings, USFS Design Courses, and The Professional TrailBuilders Association’s Art and Science of Trail Design Course. Bill Hager, another seasoned MTB who has been with the TRTA for 25 years, believes it is important for aspiring MTBs to acquire skills at every opportunity gaining proficiency with a chainsaw, grip hoist, and cross-cut saw, and experience with rock shaping, wall building, turn design, and stream crossings. Constructing and maintaining a 200-mile trail system is a daunting task. Best tackled by breaking it down to the basics of connecting specific control points. Chris Strohm, TRTA and Arizona Trail MTB explains it like this, “Conceptualization of a trail breaks into major and minor control points. The beginning and end are two major control points. Minor control points are views and vistas that the trail needs to run through or areas that a botanist may want you to avoid.” Archeological sites, private property, roads, and wildlife migration
TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
routes are just some examples of control points that MTBs carefully consider during the design process for a trail project. MTBs take all of this information and map out new routes for the trail, first over a topographical map and then on-site with flags. MTBs and Crew Leaders will walk the proposed alignment countless times, considering different options and making adjustments. During this process, our trail crews must find the balance between altering the landscape for a trail and preserving the characteristics of the land that make it special. Phil Brisack, another MTB who has volunteered with the TRTA for 24 years, noted, “We always try to leave the landscape as natural as possible using best management practices.” Don Bailey, a long-time volunteer, and our newest MTB reasoned, “The purpose of building a trail is to provide the most ecologically sustainable human path possible.” Our trails are built to last. A trail’s longterm viability is the result of purposeful construction. Water should be able to shed off of it, it should be built on compacted ground that has less chance of erosion, and it should adhere to set trail standards for grade. Importantly, the trail should provide
recreational enjoyment and access to areas that users want to go to so that people are more inclined to stay on designated paths. The process of building a trail is not unlike writing or another form of expression where clarity can only be uncovered after rigorous edits to an initial idea. The TRTA is grateful to have MTBs who are willing to put in the time to research the landscape, consider the needs of future trail users, walk proposed routes, and then and walk it again (and again, and again), dive into trail permitting efforts, and lead construction projects. Our MTBs are usually perfectionists who believe there is almost always room for improving a completed trail. Weather and usage can impact a new trail and further maintenance is almost always required. This relentless pursuit of excellence is why the TRT boasts beautiful, superbly designed trails that as one of our MTB so eloquently describes, dance in harmony with the landscape.
TRTA MASTER TRAIL BUILDERS: Bill Hager Bob Anderson Bob McDowell Cheryl Surface Chris Strohm Chuck Kelly Clay Grubb Dave Allessio Dave Schnake Don Bailey Garrett Villanueva George Brown Jay Stuart John Daegling John McKenna Karl Knapp L.D. Bennett Mark Kimbrough Max Jones Mike Stone Phil Brisack Sam Viviano
Clay Grubb, Master Trail Builder, and Jim McNamara on National Trails Day at Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Don Bailey Don Bailey is the TRTA’s newest Master Trail Builder, receiving the honor this Fall. Don was nominated to join the ranks of our 22 MTBs because of his trail building skill and leadership spearheading several major trail building and maintenance projects. Most notable is his contribution to the Echo Summit Reroute Project. Don shepherded the three-year project through the lengthy technical construction process to ensure a sustainable and unforgettable trail experience for users. Don is an amazing asset to the TRTA. He became a member in 2008 and has been volunteering with the Association since 2012. Before Don retired, he served 37 years in the United States Air Force as an engineer in a Materials Lab. His passion for the outdoors brought him and his wife Cheryl to a National Trails Day work event which was their first introduction to working with the TRTA. After this experience, he was hooked and started dedicating his free time to preserving and protecting the TRT. Don quickly became very active in the Trail Operations Program and served on the TRTA Board of Directors as the Vice President of Trail Operations. In addition to being a MTB, Don also volunteers as a Segment Coordinator which means he is responsible for surveying and coordinating work projects on the Big Meadow to Echo Lakes Segment. Don could not do all the fantastic work he does for the TRTA without his trail building partner and wife, Cheryl. Cheryl is not only a skilled Crew Leader, but she supports Don’s passion and doesn’t mind him spending a majority of his summer working on the trail. Don has received many volunteer awards with the TRTA. In previous years, he has been recognized with a Peak Award and Volunteer of the Year award. His meticulous attention to detail shines through to his work on the trail. In Don’s words “a trail is never complete,” there is always more work to be done.
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Views we love T
he Tahoe Rim Trail holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Through the TRTA’s Adopt-a-Vista/ Adopt-a-Mile program members of our community can honor their loved ones or special occasions by dedicating an exceptional spot on the trail they hold dear. Here are this season’s adopted vistas and their heartfelt dedications. If you are interested in adopting a vista or a mile, contact Veronica Palmer at veronicap@tahoerimtrail.org Sugarpine Spillway Vista
This summer Cori and Dave Lentz adopted The Sugarpine Spillway Vista. They chose to adopt this vista because of the special connection they have to the TRT. They found friendship, adventure, and new perspectives during their time on the TRT. They hope everyone finds the same nourishment for the soul, wonderment, and tremendous awe they find throughout the season on the TRT and at this vista.
Looking out to the spillway in summer sunshine, winter snow, spring wildflowers, and autumn colors, reminds us how full our hearts are in this special place. Our cups runneth over. —Cori and Dave Lentz
Casey’s Crest Vista
Castle Rock Vista was adopted this fall in loving memory of Casey Wright by his parents, David and Crisy Wright, and his friends. Now named Casey’s Crest, the vista is one of the most picturesque views of the Tahoe Valley and a perfect memorial for Casey. The vista is a short walk from his house where he and his family spent countless hours over their many years in Tahoe. Casey found peace in the mountains. He loved to backpack, mountain bike, snowshoe, walk his beloved dog Granite, and take endless pictures of what nature had to offer all around the Basin. If he met a new friend, he would convince them to come out on a hike to see the beauty. Casey always found joy seeing others feel the happiness of their surroundings. He also has a footprint on every foot of the TRT. But Casey connected wonderfully with people too—he was a voice of reason, a thoughtful source of support when others were in trouble, and always carried a relaxed sense of humor and peaceful demeanor. His soul lives among the treetops, in the understory forest, and now rests atop Casey’s Crest. Casey was a dear part of the Stateline community and will live on in the mountains and in our hearts. Casey Wright and Granite
Sugarpine Spillway Vista
Casey’s Crest
By Julia Kaseta & Madi Thurston
O
ne of the greatest gifts of America is public lands. However, while millions of acres are open to all for recreation, these spaces are not utilized by everyone. The TRT is an internationally-recognized trail system that brings adventurers from all over the world, a majority of who are white and affluent. There is a gap in representation and groups of differing skin tones, cultures, ethnicities, economic classes, gender identities and expressions, sexualities, immigration statuses, physical and mental abilities, and body types that are often underrepresented on trails and in outdoor spaces. While tourism plays a large part in the demographic disparity of Tahoe’s natural spaces, additional factors often limit the engagement of diverse local and regional communities
teaching wilderness skills, natural science, and stewardship ethics is helping fulfill these organizations’ missions by making the outdoors more inclusive. To gain perspective from the experts themselves, the TRTA connected with Aurora Perez, the SF Bay Regional Coordinator for LO, and Ruby Aguirre, the Social Services Director for NGS, to discuss the barriers and solutions to diversifying the outdoors. Financial, cultural, language, transportation, and knowledge barriers have influenced the way many youth and families from disadvantaged backgrounds engage in outdoor recreation. Ms. Perez described the connection between her culture and outdoor experiences to be frontcountry activities involving LO core values of
Group reflection at Round Lake
Participants reach new heights
of Northern Nevada and Northern California from engaging in outdoor activities. The TRTA’s Youth Backcountry Camp (YBCC) Program is working to address some of these factors through its immersive wilderness programming by partnering with social service organizations with a similar mission. Awarded the TRTA’s 2021 Partner of the Year award, Next Generation Scholars (NGS) and Latino Outdoors (LO) have inspired the TRTA to increase its youth outreach programming footprint after co-leading a YBCC trip for 11 underrepresented youth from the Bay Area. These organizations have been working towards providing educational and recreational opportunities for Latinx, firstgeneration, immigrant, English-learner, and low-income youth and families to make academic and outdoor spaces more welcoming and accessible. The TRTA’s fully-outfitted, four-day backpacking experience
familia, comunidad, and cultura, “My family and I would go to local parks, hang a piñata from a strong tree branch, and have parties there.” And while outdoor recreation can take on many forms, inclusive immersive wilderness experiences that provide the knowledge and resources to continue outdoor exploration were absent for Ms. Perez and continue to be for many children today. “Growing up, I didn’t have any exposure to backcountry activities, and I know a lot of youth today can relate.” The backcountry activities that stimulate independence, resiliency, and confidence are primarily available for the wealthy, aware, and experienced. Despite many outdoor spaces being public and free, barriers to access begin at home. Pricey outdoor equipment, transportation to trailheads, and the time and knowledge required to safely enjoy remote destinations are resources that marginalized communities do not have equitable access to. With the support of
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TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. —Dan Millman,
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
grantors and funders, including the Lana Vento Charitable Trust and Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation, the YBCC Program made progress to ensure that any child can attend camp regardless of their family’s financial resources. The TRTA provided the program free of cost to partnering organizations and youth participants, complete with medically-trained wilderness instructors, nature-based curriculum, logistics planning and support, backpacking supplies and gear, and food for the duration of the program. The introductory backpacking program requires only clothes, shoes, and a positive attitude for underrepresented youth to reap the rewards of outdoor recreation and educational experiences.
and facilitating culturally-relevant conversations. A memory from the first-ever YBCC trip in partnership with NGS and LO represents the power of inclusivity in the outdoors. Ms. Perez and Ms. Aguirre shared their stories and how the outdoors have impacted them on the trip, setting the stage for open discussion with the youth participants. Participants, in turn, felt safe and inspired to share their backgrounds and culture. The commonalities and values shared fostered a sense of inclusivity and belonging in spaces where these youth had not felt it before. Representation matters. It tells youth what’s possible. When we create a community of trail users and outdoor leaders that
Participants learn to set up camp
Participants geared up and ready to go
Expenses aside, it is challenging to think you belong in the outdoors when you don’t feel included. According to Ms. Perez, what’s missing is representation, “knowing that people that look like me, speak like me, and share some of the same experiences and culture as me are recreating safely and happily in the outdoors.” Ms. Aguirre of NGS expanded on how this problem impacts NGS youth living in one of the wealthiest areas in California, Marin County, “They’re not made to feel comfortable and this keeps them away.” Cultural, language, and physical differences joined by large discrepancies in wealth leave them feeling disconnected from people and places within their community. These encounters are far too familiar for people of color and differing identities when exploring public lands. The YBCC Program seeks to change this narrative by creating a safe and supportive environment in the outdoors, involving adult leadership from diverse backgrounds,
accurately reflects the diversity among our schools, homes, and communities, we inspire youth to follow suit. We inspire them to form a connection with nature, to engage in physical activity, to feel the healing effects of time spent outside, to learn about their natural surroundings, to become outdoor leaders, and to be stewards within their communities. When working towards this vision, we look towards collaboration. Through building new partnerships with organizations like NGO and LO, the TRTA can bring together the resources for equitable access and the perspectives of underrepresented adults and youth to create a more inclusive and relevant YBCC Program.
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PAPER TRAILS You may have seen this colorful and inclusive design welcoming users onto the trail this season. The mastermind behind this creation participated in the TRTA’s 2021 poster contest along with 79 other students. Elementary and middle school classrooms from the region used this public education opportunity to explore Leave No Trace ethics and enhance local natural spaces. The winning poster, created by thirdgrader Amahla Stosic, was displayed at TRT-trailheads around the Lake to provide users a visual representation of how they can recreate responsibly on the trail. To ensure the seven Leave No Trace principles are accessible to the Tahoe area’s diverse communities, students from Mt Rose Elementary School created bi-lingual posters. With nearly a halfmillion trail users passing by TRT trailheads each year, young stewards show us just how powerful a piece of paper can be.
TAHOE RIM TRAIL PHOTO CALENDAR
Students from Mt. Rose Elementary School display their poster submissions.
Order our 2022 Calendar, which features our 2021 Photo Contest Winners: https://tahoerimtrail.org/product/2022-trta-calendar/
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Save the Date! A C E L E B R AT I O N O F 4 0 Y E A R S
Join us for the rescheduled 40th Anniversary party on Saturday, May 28th at the Tahoe 4H Camp in Stateline, Nevada. Help us celebrate 40 amazing years of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and all the work that went into making the Tahoe Rim Trail a reality. We hope to see you there! Tickets available on our website May 1st.
Registration Opening Dates TASTE OF THE TRT PROGRAM: February 23rd THRU HIKE PROGRAM: March 9th YOUTH BACKCOUNTRY CAMP PROGRAM: March 16th SEGMENT HIKE PROGRAM: March 23rd
Thank you to the John W. Altman Charitable Foundation, Lana Vento Charitable Trust, and the Ok to be Different Foundation for their generous grants that will allowed us to greatly expand our youth programs in 2022.
TRTA Annual Awardees
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association honored several volunteers at its 2021 Annual Volunteer Celebration. This year also included honoring 2020 awardees since we could not thank them during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TRTA’s annual awards recognize just a few of the many deserving volunteers, donors, and partners that help the organization fulfill our mission. Congratulations to the 2020 and 2021 awardees!
2020 Awardees:
Volunteer of the Year: Bryan Wright
2021 Awardees:
Volunteer of the Year: Jim Crompton
Peak Awards: Jo Ann Cobb, 2020 Mark Wynne-Willson, 2020 Larry Davis, 2020
Peak Awards: Tricia Tong, 2021 Kate Huckbody, 2021 Donna Maher, 2021
Media Award: Josh Little, KOLO 8 News Now
Partner of the Year 2021: Latino Outdoors, Next Generation Scholars
2021 Hall of Fame Inductee: 18
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Carl Woods
Business Members
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. FREEL PEAK $10,000+
MT. ROSE $5,000–$9,999
MT. TALLAC $2,500–$4,999
MT. BALDY $1,000–$2,499
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128 Market St. Suite 3E PO Box 3267 Stateline, NV 89449
Trail Blazer The Official Publication of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association
S H A R E YO U R S TO RY DO YOU HAVE AN EPIC TRAIL STORY, STUNNING PHOTOS, OR VIDEO footage you think would help, inspire, or move others? Maybe you just finished hiking the entire TRT and are now part of our illustrious 165 Mile Club? Share that experience with us! We can spread your story to the TRT community. No two experiences are ever the same, which is why we love to hear and see the impact the trail had on you. Whether you finished the entire TRT or only a short section, we want to hear about what that experience meant to you. Please share your TRT story with Kate Gallagher at kateg@tahoerimtrail.org. If you’ve recently completed the entire TRT, you can become part of our 165 Mile Club. Let us know by contacting info@tahoerimtrail.org.
