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Mary West: the impossible beauty of the Tahoe East Shore Trail

9/25/2022

 
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The Tahoe East Shore Trail, also called the Impossible Trail, is proof that with enough funding anything is possible. The three-mile stretch of paved walkway offering world class views of the international destination that is Lake Tahoe cost $40.5 million to bring to life. Many community organizations and individuals who love Lake Tahoe opened their wallets and donated their time and energy to make this dream a reality. All along the trail you find tributes and words of thanks offered to those who made the trail possible. (Photo credit: Mary West)

The Governor of Nevada cut the ribbon in late June of 2019 on the path that stretches from Incline Village to Sand Harbor on CA-267 South/Highway 28 in Washoe County Nevada. To get there take Interstate 80 east to CA-267 South to Incline Village. At the state line it becomes 28. Follow 28 to the parking area at Incline Village or up at Sand Harbor. This is a 3 mile out and back trek for a total of 6 miles round trip.

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The Tahoe East Shore Trail is gorgeous. The views of Lake Tahoe and the multiple access points to the water is a pleasure. More importantly, it’s safer than walking or cycling along the roadway. If you park in Incline Village you start across the road from the lake. But the trail takes a turn under the highway to get you closer to the water the rest of the way to Sand Harbor.

There are drawbacks to this lovely trail. This is Tahoe and parking is at a premium at both ends of the trail. On summer weekends you need to arrive early and prepare to pay to park. This is a very popular trail with families, cyclists and dog owners. It can get crowded. Speaking of dog owners: The blacktop heats up fast, even with Tahoe’s cooler temperatures. Your dog’s feet will burn. Much of this trail is exposed to direct sun, be prepared with a hat, sunglasses and sunblock. Take plenty of water. One more drawback is walking on a paved surface can be hard on your feet and joints.

If you have friends and family from out of the area take them to the Tahoe East Shore Trail. It’s a bit like showing off our great north state. After you enjoy the view, enjoy all that Tahoe has to offer.

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

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5 areas in Placer County renamed to scrub racist term for Native women

9/13/2022

 
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TAHOE CITY, Calif. — The U.S. government has ordered the renaming of hundreds of peaks, lakes, streams and other geographical features on federal lands to erase a racist term for Native American women, including five places in Placer County and two in El Dorado County.


New names for about 650 places bearing the offensive word “squaw” have been changed.

SEE below article for changes in California.

In Placer County the racist word has been scrubbed and new names include Washeshu Creek and Washeshu Peak — Washeshu is a Washoe word for “the people” — Papakum Pakan Flat, Olympic Valley, Uti Flat and Mani’pa Gulch.

“We are eager to embrace Washeshu Peak and Washeshu Creek,” said Palisades Tahoe on social media. The resort last year took the lead and dumped the racist term in its name. 

In El Dorado County, the new names for areas include Kapa Hollow and Hunchup Creek near Diamond Springs.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement, “I feel a deep obligation to use my platform to ensure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming. That starts with removing racist and derogatory names that have graced federal locations for far too long.” 

The changes announced Thursday capped an almost yearlong process that began after Haaland, the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency, took office in 2021. Haaland is from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.

The Native American Rights Fund, a nonprofit legal organization, welcomed the changes, the Associated Press reported.

“Federal lands should be welcoming spaces for all citizens,” deputy director Matthew Campbell said in a statement. “It is well past time for derogatory names to be removed and tribes to be included in the conversation.”

Haaland in November declared the term derogatory and ordered members of the Board on Geographic Names, the Interior Department panel that oversees uniform naming of places in the U.S., and others to come up with alternatives.

Haaland meanwhile created a panel that will take suggestions from the public on changing other places named with derogatory terms.

California, meanwhile, has taken its own steps to remove the word from place names. The state Legislature in August passed a bill that would remove the word from more than 100 places beginning in 2025.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to decide whether to sign the bill into law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Sierra Sun newspaper.

Here are the changes in our state:

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Nevada County Awards $415,570 in First Round of Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grants

9/12/2022

 
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On July 26th, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors accepted the mid-year progress report for their 2022 objectives. Progress highlights for the Board’s newest objective, Recreation, included recent awards totaling $415,570 in Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund grants to community organizations. The grants, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with projects to increase resiliency and promote health and safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations. 
“Recreation is so important to our community, and we want our locals and visitors to be able to enjoy our beautiful outdoors. We have seen some real challenges at our river crossings and other popular destinations, and these grants help keep people and places safe,” said Chair Sue Hoek.  “We want to protect our natural resources while making it inviting for our community to enjoy,” said Hoek, who, along with 5th District Supervisor Hardy Bullock, is a member of the Board’s ad hoc committee focused on recreation and that sponsored the grant process. 
Nine projects across Nevada County address unmet needs at popular outdoor recreation sites and meet the goals of the program:  to promote public safety and public health, equitable access to recreation opportunities, promote economic development through sustainable recreation, and protect and preserve natural resources. 
“I’m so glad we are getting these resources into our community quickly, and grateful for our partners doing this important work”, said Supervisor Bullock. “We are looking at the economic, social and environmental impacts, and addressing the needs of visitors, our local economy, the environment and our community as a whole.” 
Selected projects include visitor outreach as well as the installation and improvement of restrooms and parking, trails, and natural infrastructure.  
Recipients include:  
  • Bear Yuba Land Trust – $11,500 for the Trail Keepers program that engages with the public about safety and wildfire prevention at five popular trailheads in Alta Sierra, Grass Valley, and Nevada City; and, $99,500 for parking improvements to the Adam Ryan Preserve Trailhead, allowing for twice the capacity of the existing area.  
  • Bicyclists of Nevada County – $13,724 for improving and quantifying trail use for the Harmony Ridge Trail System in Nevada City.  
  • Nevada Irrigation District – $18,000 for a new parking site near Gate 2 entrance at Scott’s Flat Reservoir and the end of Scott’s Drop Trail.   
  • South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) – $16,705 for the continuation of the River Ambassadors program at Highway 49 and Bridgeport with expansion to Purdon and Edwards’ Crossings that engages with the public on river safety, waste pickup, and responsible recreation; $75,000 for development and coordination with community partners for Wild and Scenic River Trail Mile Markers and Safety signage; and, $46,371 for the installation of a double vault toilet at the Golden Quartz picnic area five miles upstream from the Town of Washington.  
  • Truckee Trails Foundation – $25,400 for a visitor safety and environmental hazard prevention program that increases trail host ambassador outreach and safety monitoring, plus installation of two portable restrooms at critical high-volume locations in Donner Summit and east Nevada County year-round; and, $109,370 for installation of vault toilets at Johnson Canyon and Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail trailhead at Hobart Mills Road.  
Projects were selected by a panel including community members and staff through a competitive process that involved a two-step evaluation.  Projects will be completed by 2024, with many that have already commenced this summer in both east and west Nevada County. 
Colleen Dalton, CEO of Visit Truckee-Tahoe explains, “With ever-increasing users of outdoor recreation in Nevada County, grant funds for Sustainable Truckee Ambassadors, new public toilets and porta potties in high-use areas meets urgently needed health and safety needs. In addition, we are also educating and providing a sense of feeling welcome – especially for new users. Visit Truckee-Tahoe is working closely with Nevada County as our partner on a vision for sustainable outdoor recreation.” 
“It is inspiring to see the County making our public lands and natural resources a priority with the ARPA funds,” said Melinda Booth, Executive Director of SYRCL. “SYRCL is very proud to be organizing several projects with our partners that will enhance public safety and improve visitors’ experiences along the Yuba River.” 
“Truckee Trails Foundation is so grateful for Nevada County’s efforts with the Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund aimed at addressing needs identified in the Convene, Champion and Catalyze leadership forum,” said Allison Pedley, Executive Director of Truckee Trails Foundation. “These efforts truly demonstrate the strong value of community collaboration with resulting benefit to the entire region.” 
Nevada County’s Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Program was established and approved by the Board of Supervisors in April 2021 to provide up to $850,000 in one-time grants to respond to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 through promoting public health and safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations. Additional consideration was given to those that support economic development, enhance equitable access, address climate change adaptation, and promote environmental sustainability and resilience. 
A second-round call for proposals will open on October 6, 2022, with additional funds to be awarded to eligible entities that submit collaborative, highly leveraged, and “shovel-ready” projects for implementation in 2023-2024.   
For more information and to stay up to date on Recreation News and Information,  visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/Recreation
To see original article in Yubanet, CLICK HERE.

Mt. biker found dead Downieville Downhill Trail

9/8/2022

 
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DOWNIEVILLE, Calif. (KTXL) — A mountain biker was found dead on Sunday near Downieville along the town’s famous Downieville Downhill Trail, according to the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said they received a call from the wife of Scott Fraser saying that he had not returned from his ride in Downieville even though he was expected to be home much earlier.

A search was launched involving the Nevada County Search and Rescue team and Helicopter H-24 from the California Highway Patrol, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said the entire length of the trail was searched but no sign of Fraser was located.
The search continued with resources from Marin County, Placer County, Downieville Fire Department and the US Forest Service assisting in another full-length search of the trail area, according to the sheriff’s office.

Fraser’s bike was located over an embankment at 2:50 p.m. in a very steep and remote part of the trail, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said that Fraser’s body was located by Placer and Marin county search and rescue members 200 feet below the trail and was airlifted out by a California Air National Guard helicopter.

CLICK HERE to see original article at Fox News


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up-to-the minute information on trail alerts, links and trail news for Placer,  Yuba, and Nevada counties.
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