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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TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
