MOTHER LODE TRAILS

New Forest Supervisor selected for Lake Tahoe Basin

10/24/2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2020 –
The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is pleased to announce that William “Bill” Jackson has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Jackson is scheduled to arrive at the LTBMU on Dec. 6, 2020, and comes to us from the White River National Forest in Colorado, where he served as the District Ranger for the Dillon Ranger District.
“I’m excited to share the news that we have selected a new Forest Supervisor for the Tahoe Basin,” said Acting Forest Supervisor, Danelle D. Harrison. “Bill has an extensive background in land management, and I can’t think of anyone better qualified to lead our Forest Family.”
Prior to his position on the Dillon Ranger District, Jackson served as the District Ranger for the Manchester Ranger District on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. He also served on the Pike, San Isabel, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.
Jackson earned a Natural Resource Management degree from North Carolina State and joined the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years, where he helped promote ecotourism and environmental education. After the Peace Corps, he attended graduate school at Colorado State University, where he studied natural resource management, recreation and tourism.
Jackson replaces Jeff Marsolais who accepted a position with the Eldorado National Forest in mid-June 2020.

Contact(s): Public Affairs, Lisa Herron 530-721-3898

To see original press release from the USFS, click here.

Exploring the Old Flume Trail

10/24/2020

The Old Flume Trail (Red Shack Trail) just outside of Placerville in El Dorado County is a history lesson as well as an excellent trek to the South Fork of the American River. The trail has been there since its inception in 1900, of course, but the new parking area built by the Bureau of Land Management makes parking safer, and access easier.

The trail was a road to the river. This road crosses the historic ditch that moved water from Placerville to the ranches in the Gold Hill area. You can read about George and John Luce who managed the flume from 1920 to 1924. The wooden flume is believed to be the tallest in the county at 153 feet and running 750 feet between the ridges. The flume is gone, but the land was gifted to the American River Conservancy in 1999 for our enjoyment.

The trail is wide, but I would call this moderate to difficult depending on your fitness level due to the steep drop into the canyon — about 800 feet in less than a mile. Worth every step when you find yourself rock hopping out to a quiet location just below Racehouse Bend rapid on the South Fork.
It took me a half hour to get from the parking lot to the river. I stopped to check out some spur trails along the way. But it took me nearly an hour to return to the parking lot due to the steep grade. Take your time, take breaks if needed and drink plenty of water.

The trail is wide, but I would call this moderate to difficult depending on your fitness level due to the steep drop into the canyon — about 800 feet in less than a mile. Worth every step when you find yourself rock hopping out to a quiet location just below Racehouse Bend rapid on the South Fork.
This is a beautiful in an out trail, less than a mile one way, with a stunning payoff at the halfway point. My most recent hike on a cool and sunny day showed off the lush moss on the trees as green ferns unfurled along the canyon walls and a couple of kayakers floating by.

To get there from Auburn head out on Highway 49 South toward Cool. Continue toward Placerville. As you make your way through the canyon, about four miles north of Placerville, look for Red Shack Road on the right. The trail head is directly across the street. Red Shack is a nice stop after your adventure for pulled pork sandwiches or apple pie when open.
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Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – The Gold Country Trail Guides. A collection of Day Hiker columns from 2016-2020 (Available on Amazon) where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see the complete article in The Union newspaper.

Southern Cross Preserve finds its forever home with Tahoe National Forest

10/15/2020

From Bear Yuba Land Trust today, "We’re happy to announce that Southern Cross Preserve has been transferred to US Forest Service ownership, where it will join the rest of the Tahoe National Forest! This beautiful preserve is located on the North Fork American River. The public Euchre Bar Trail runs through the property and provides excellent views of the river.

If you look at a map of the Tahoe National Forest, you’ll notice that it looks like a “checkerboard” of public and private property. This unusual pattern has its roots in 19th-century federal land policy and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad north of Lake Tahoe. The resulting “patchwork quilt” of public and private lands can create challenges for land management and public recreation. By permanently protecting private lands within the “checkerboard” and transferring them to the USFS, we can help expand the Tahoe National Forest and fill in the gaps.

“This project was especially cool because it's a great model — we work with the landowner to secure a complex land deal, then transfer it to public ownership,” says Placer Land Trust Conservation Director Lynnette Batt. “It adds more land to the Tahoe National Forest, which is a popular and important landscape in the Sierra. And importantly, selling land to the USFS allows us to cover our costs, and to ‘pay it forward’ to our future land protection projects. We are grateful to the USFS for being great partners.”

To learn more about Southern Cross Preserve and this transfer project with USFS, CLICK HERE.

Mary West: Hiking Loch Leven Trail

10/11/2020

Loch Leven Trail is a moderate to difficult hike with more than a one thousand-foot elevation change over a 3.5-mile trail to the first lake in the Loch Leven chain of lakes in the Tahoe National Forest.
To get there take Interstate 80 east to the Rainbow Bend exit. Take a left onto Hampshire Rocks Road. Drive up just past the Tahoe National Forest fire station to the trailhead parking lot. An information board and restrooms are located here. The sign marking the trailhead is directly across the street.

The trail begins with granite boulders. Under foot are rocks, roots, ruts, sand, decomposed granite and decomposed trees. Wear sturdy shoes and take those trekking poles they may come in handy.
Around you are boulders, colossal pine trees, views of surrounding mountain peaks, and the lakes. One very prominent peak is Red Mountain, also known as Signal Peak. The first landmark are the railroad tracks. Other highlights of the trail include the yellow aspen in fall. You skirt a pond that is more of a bog by September until the rains return. A wooden bridge leads into a cool shaded area briefly before the climb continues. Level areas give you a chance to catch your breath before forging on. A few of the volunteer trails can lead you astray. Stay on track. Other highlights of the trail include the yellow aspen in fall. You skirt a pond that is more of a bog by September until the rains return.

Once you reach the lake, find your spot to settle in and get your shoes off, a snack will be in order. If you have time and the inclination, more lakes await you as well as Cherry Peak trail three miles out from the trailhead. The great thing about Loch Leven Trail is that the return trip to the trail head is mostly downhill.

Loch Leven Trail is a moderately trafficked trail and dogs are welcome. Take plenty of water. Plenty of sun exposure on this trail so you may want a hat, glasses and sunblock.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guides (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2018 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

To read the original article and see photos in The Union newspaper, CLICK HERE.

Mary West: Exploring Emigrant Lake Trail

9/11/2020

NOTE: Because of wildfires, Eldorado National Forest and Tahoe National Forest are temporarily CLOSED, including the Emigrant Lake Trail.

EXPLORING EMIGRANT LAKE TRAIL
The Emigrant Lake trail; one trail, two lakes. The journey to Emigrant Lake begins with a beautiful drive to the Kirkwood area of Alpine County. Aptly named for the majestic pine-covered mountains, Alpine County is home to world-class skiing, and for day hikers, panoramic views, lush greenery, running streams and mild temperatures.

A dear friend told me about Emigrant Lake Trail for backpacking and camping. I admit I don’t do a lot of backpacking, I am a day hiker, I like to sleep in my own bed and need coffee in the morning, but eight-miles is a doable day hike and with the drive it’s a full day.
This was a first for me in a couple of ways; I brought my friend Lizzy to hike with and this was my first hike in Alpine County.

To get there, take Highway 49 to Placerville where you pick up US 50 East to Sly Park Road to Mormon Emigrant Trail/Silver Lake Road. Take left on CA-88E to Caples Lake.

The trail head has limited parking but I went on a three-day weekend that may have added some congestion. A convenient restroom and a large sign marking the trail head set you on your way four-miles back to Emigrant Lake. The trail begins by skirting Caples Lake for the first two-miles. At the end of the lake you will notice the gentle climb that takes you away from the noise of the highway, through tall pines, with the call of the birds above and wildflowers at your feet.

A couple of creek crossings may get your shoes wet if you misstep, but even in September the runoff leads to lush greenery decorated with impressive rock formations and mountain meadows, a joy to behold. I am happy to report that this is a well maintained and well signed trail. Near the end a handful of switchbacks. The trail then opens up to a meadow that leads to Emigrant Lake surrounded by peaks including Melissa Coray Peak, named for a Pioneer woman who walked 2000-miles to reach the west, Peak 9597 and Covered Wagon Peak, that still held patches of snow.

It’s downhill from here. After a good rest, maybe a snack, the trek back is a gentle downhill, weaving among the trees and boulders strewn about the wilderness. Before you know it, Caples Lake comes into view, the roar of the highway finds your ears and this hiking day-dream will be over.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guides (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2018 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

Another protected addition and trail easement in the Bear River watershed by PLT

9/10/2020

Placer Land Trust has some good news for you to help brighten your 2020! We just permanently protected a 185-acre addition to the Laursen Bear River Preserve located north of Auburn, making the total preserve 546 acres. That means that with the help our members, we have protected more than 11,900 acres of natural and agricultural lands in Placer County!

The expanded Laursen Bear River Preserve, along with other adjacent preserves, creates a block of over 8,000 contiguous acres of protected lands in the Bear River and Raccoon Creek watersheds. These expansive oak woodlands support healthy and diverse populations of plants and wildlife. The preserve provides critical habitat for animals such as mule deer, mountain lion, grey fox, hawks, and many others.

“This property was on the market and certainly would have been developed had the original landowners, Andy and Shana Laursen, not agreed to sell it to Placer Land Trust instead,” says Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “We are so grateful to Andy and Shana for working with Placer Land Trust to protect their lands along the Bear River.”

Andy and Shana were key funders of Placer Land Trust in the early 2000’s to help the nonprofit remain sustainable. In 2005 the couple provided funds for Placer Land Trust to purchase the Shutamul Bear River Preserve, adjacent to their land. Placer Land Trust recognized Andy and Shana for their conservation work with the 2010 Placer Conservator Award.

The funding needed to acquire the extension of the Laursen Bear River Preserve came earlier this year through two Prop 68 grants: one from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), and one from the Wildlife Conservation Board. Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust provided the funds needed for stewardship of the property for generations to come.

In addition to the diverse wildlife, the property also has a rich human history. Andy feels the land is special because, “people have lived on this land for probably thousands of years. There’s been Native Americans, there’s been Basque sheepherders, there’s been gold miners. And we bought all this land to keep it the way it is, to keep it natural.”

Placer Land Trust plans to share this land with the public through docent-led activities starting in 2021. The property is served only by private roads, so it is not suitable for open public access and recreation at this time. However a trail easement donated by Andy and Shana will allow future visitors to travel from the Laursen Bear River Preserve to adjacent Shutamul and Harvego Bear River Preserves.

In the meantime, the Laursen Bear River Preserve expansion can be “visited” during Placer Land Trust’s annual Placer Conservator, which will be taking place virtually this year and is free to attend. Click here more information on the event, including links to RSVP.

CLICK HERE to see the original press release from Placer Land Trust.

New bike video in the time of COVID-19

9/9/2020

Bikers get a bad rap, especially recently in the time of the pandemic. There are more bikers, as well as other users, on the trails. Some of them new or old, who don't understand how one bad interaction can ruin a year of good public relations work.

In speaking with Land Managers, there have been more conflicts, more injuries, and more complaints in the past three months than they have had in years. In response to these unsettling issues, these bike groups have made a new video to help everyone understand how to share the trails without these incidents. How to stop those complaints you have to be aware that your interactions with others affects all bicyclists... and even more important, your access to public shared trails.

TO SEE THIS SHORT VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

Cool hike: Donner Summit to Olympic Valley

8/27/2020

From the Truckee Donner Land Trust Newsletter
One of the great things about the Truckee Donner Region is when it gets hot, we can escape the heat by heading to higher elevations - Royal Gorge, the Donner Lake Rim Trail, the Mt. Lola Trail above Perazzo Meadows, and the Sierra Crest. This month’s hike is a true classic, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Donner Summit to Olympic Valley. Sixteen miles in length, it’s a favorite for those seeking a long day out in nature, and many of its iconic views were protected by the Truckee Donner Land Trust over the years.

This hike is a point-to-point journey, beginning, at the Donner Summit trailhead of the PCT just behind the Summit Haus. This trailhead is receiving major upgrades from our friends at the Donner Summit Association, including signage, bathrooms and picnic tables. The trail starts by climbing up beautiful-hand-built steps up the slopes of Donner Peak, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and Mt. Judah. Ground-hugging flowers last late into the summer here. As the trail gets higher and the Judah loop splits to the left, hikers will enjoy a mountain hemlock forest. Hemlocks seem more suited to a children’s book with their twisted trunks and tops that often bow over to the ground.

Views of Van Norden Meadow open to the west, with Razorback ridge and Rowton Peak (last month’s hike of the month) looming in the distance. This landscape was protected by the Land trust in 2012.
As the trail gains the Sierra Crest, the view to the west is of Schallenberger Ridge above Donner Lake and Coldstream Canyon tucked in just behind it - two areas where the Land Trust got its start in buying open space three decades ago. For most of the remainder of the route, the trail never strays far from the Sierra Crest. Elevations above 8,000 feet, combined with cooling breezes, provide a great escape from the valley heat. The route passes the distinctive round top of Anderson Peak and the 8900-foot Tinker’s knob, both familiar landmarks from Town.

Dramatic views of the Granite Chief Wilderness and Royal Gorge of the American River - some 5,000 feet below, fill the south and western skylines. The hike leaves the Pacific Crest Trail with a left turn near diminutive Mountain Meadows Lake, before descending the Granite Chief Trail near the top of the Shirley Canyon as it heads into Olympic Valley below.

We recommend Hiking Project for maps and directions.

Remember, no bicycles are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail.

To read the complete article and get photos, CLICK HERE for the Truckee-Donner Land Trust News.

California, U.S. Forest Service, Establish Shared Long-Term Strategy (MOU) to Manage Forests and Rangelands

8/16/2020

Agreement will improve coordination to reduce wildfire risks on federal and state lands as well as increase recreation. Funding included in the federal Great American Outdoors Act.
SACRAMENTO Aug. 12, 2020— In a key step to improve stewardship of California’s forests, the Newsom Administration and the U.S. Forest Service today announced a new joint state-federal initiative (MOU) to reduce wildfire risks, restore watersheds, protect habitat and biological diversity, and help the state meet its climate objectives.
The Agreement for Shared Stewardship of California’s Forest and Rangelands includes a commitment by the federal government to match California’s goal of reducing wildfire risks on 500,000 acres of forest land per year. To protect public safety and ecology, experts agree that at least one million acres of California forest and wildlands must be treated annually across jurisdictions.

A historical transition toward unnaturally dense forests, a century of fire suppression and climate change resulting in warmer, hotter and drier conditions have left the majority of California’s forestland highly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire and in need of active, science-based management. Since the federal government owns nearly 58 percent of California’s 33 million acres of forestlands, while the state owns 3 percent, joint state-federal management is crucial to California’s overall forest health and wildfire resilience.

Improved coordination also is key since nearly half of the state dollars invested in fuels management in recent years was spent on federal land.

“Wildfires don’t stop at jurisdictional boundaries. As we respond to wildfires in real-time this summer, improving coordination between the major stewards of California’s forested land will help us protect communities and restore forest health across California,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. “We are grateful to secure the U.S. Forest Service’s commitment to help us more effectively address the scale of California’s current wildfire crisis.”
“Collaboration between state and federal agencies on issues of forest health and resiliency is critical,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “The Forest Service is fortunate to collaborate on restoration projects across the state and share science and research to address issues to help care for the land and serve people. We are excited to expand our partnership with California to enhance our collaboration though this Shared Stewardship agreement with California.”
The Shared Stewardship Agreement builds on existing coordination between state and federal agencies, and outlines six core principles and nine specific actions that will drive improved state-federal collaboration:

Prioritize public safety;
Use science to guide forest management;
Coordinate land management across jurisdictions;
Increase the scale and pace of forest management projects;
Remove barriers that slow project approvals; and
Work closely with all stakeholders, including tribal communities, environmental groups, academia and timber companies.

Specifically, through this agreement California and the U.S. Forest Service commit to execute the following activities together:

Treat one million acres of forest and wildland annually to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire (building on the state’s existing 500,000-acre annual commitment);
Develop a shared 20-year plan for forest health and vegetation treatment that establishes and coordinates priority projects;
Expand use of ecologically sustainable techniques for vegetation treatments such as prescribed fire;
Increase pace and scale of forest management by improving ecologically sustainable timber harvest in California and grow jobs by tackling structural obstacles, such as workforce and equipment shortfalls and lack of access to capital;
Prioritize co-benefits of forest health such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, healthy watersheds and stable rural economies;
Recycle forest byproducts to avoid burning slash piles;
Improve sustainable recreation opportunities;
Enable resilient, fire-adapted communities; and
Share data and continue to invest in science.

The Great American Outdoors Act, signed into law on August 4, will provide critical funding for the Forest Service’s work in California.
CLICK HERE to see original press release from Gov. Newsom's office.

Mary West: Exploring Monkey Rock above Lake Tahoe

8/14/2020

The famed Monkey Rock that overlooks Lake Tahoe from East Lake is off Tunnel Road in the Spooner Backcountry, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Parks. The hike to Monkey Rock (more like a gorilla, which is not a monkey but a great ape. We will let that go) leads to a nice view of Lake Tahoe and surrounding snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I went hiking with my oldest son Canyon, his brilliant girlfriend Emily, and our faithful K9 Stella the wonder dog to Monkey Rock in late spring. We decided to take the longer — but we think — more scenic Highway 50 approach on the way up. At Sand Harbor look for the Bullwheel parking lot in front of the Tunnel Creek Cafe. There is no parking at the trailhead.

The steady climb is made easier by the ever-changing views of beautiful blue Lake Tahoe, the towering pines and bright granite boulders. Your hike begins from the parking lot and up behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe on Tunnel Creek Road. There is a $2 fee to hike the trails. An iron ranger with envelopes is up the trail a piece.

Once on Tunnel Creek Road it is all uphill. At the intersection you make the left with a steep uphill climb. You hike nearly 500 feet up on decomposed granite and sand. For this reason, I call this short hike moderate. The climb up is not so bad but coming down can be slippery. Wear sturdy shoes and if you are at all worried take your trekking poles. There is a longer route that spreads the hike over a greater distance and is less steep. You can find this alternative just a bit further up the main trail.

The steady climb is made easier by the ever-changing views of beautiful blue Lake Tahoe, the towering pines and bright granite boulders.

This is a popular trail. Once on top expect to wait your turn in the jumble of rocks that overlooks the lake and of course the co-star of the show, the gorilla shaped rock that sits taking in the view with you.
This in and out hike is maybe three miles total. You will not find signs declaring Monkey Rock. You must know what you are looking for. Other trails continue beyond Monkey Rock to Marlette Flume Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail and Twin Lakes.

The alternate route is up Interstate 80 to CA-267S in Truckee. Take NV-28E to Tahoe Blvd to Tunnel Creek Blvd in Incline Village.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guides (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2018 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

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