MOTHER LODE TRAILS

Nevada County’s newest National Monument—the Transcontinental Railroad Tunnels at Donner Summit—free walking tours

7/12/2026

Join local historian Terry McAteer on one of three summer walking tours of the Transcontinental Railroad Tunnels constructed in 1867 which he is providing free of charge this summer.

The Department of the Interior proclaimed in December 2024 that the site is now listed as a National Monument — the second such designation for Nevada County. The tours will start at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 10; Tuesday, August 4 and Sunday, September 13 from the dirt parking lot across the street from Donner Ski Ranch located at 19320 Donner Pass Road but you must register with McAteer and spaces are limited to 75 per tour. Email terry at: [email protected] and provide him the number of attendees and which date you will attend.

Each tour will describe the process of the Chinese workers who blasted and mucked the 16 tunnels in order for the completion of the railroad which opened the West. “This work was the most dangerous, complicated and back-breaking of the entire construction of the Transcontinental Railroad,” said McAteer, the retired Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. “It is an amazing site since no power tools were used to construct the tunnels.”

On the tour, which is relatively flat, participants will walk through the 500-yard tunnel (flashlights needed), view the 1849 covered wagon gold field route, the Lincoln Highway and the amazing workmanship of the Chinese Wall constructed with no mortar.

All ages are welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water. The total length of the historic walk will be around one mile and will conclude by 11:30 am. Donner Ski Ranch is open for lunch service following the walk.

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

Sierraville Ranger District and Gold Country Trails Council volunteers cleared 56 trees from Pacific Crest Trail

7/7/2026

Little Lasier Work/Camp/Ride Report by Mary Johnson -
This year’s outing at Little Lasier Meadow was amazing! Delightful weather, beautiful views, abundant vibrant wild flowers, wonderful cooperation with the Forest Service and amazing volunteers who accomplished a tremendous amount of work.

The camp was reserved for Gold Country Trails Council (GCTC) by the Sierraville Ranger District. The hard working Forest Service crew had cleaned the camp and chipped the piles of branches and since it was a light snow year, none of the corrals had been damaged! The only camp work consisted of unclogging the drain at the water pump which became a get down and dirty job .... and that water is COLD!!

Early arrivals hiked the connector trail/first road loop to check for clearing needs and also hiked, established cairns, and cleared the pass trail sections, as well as the stock crossing through Pass Creek. The large tree that came down at the creek crossing on the Blue Trail was cut up, along with a couple other small ones. And for excitement the disappearing tail end of a small bear was sighted as it crossed the road near camp!

With all that work accomplished early, the stage was set for the "real" work: tree clearing on the PCT. Earlier this year, Stephen Fisher, a volunteer for the PCTA (Pacific Crest Trail Association) had reached out to GCTC in order to work with our group. He had done preliminary hikes for tree clearing inventory so we knew we had a big job ahead of us.

In the late 1980's GCTC adopted the section of the PCT near Little Lasier Meadow and has continued to clear the PCT long after the "official" adoption was forgotten. In recent years the PCTA and GCTC connected again so that the "mystery" trail workers from GCTC were no longer a mystery to the PCTA.

After a light rain Friday night, Saturday dawned clear and cool: perfect working weather. Stephen arrived at Little Lasier Meadow along with the amazing GCTC volunteers, many who also arrived on Saturday morning just for the work day. Everyone was organized into groups to clear certain sections of trail.

Tom Alling with his mules and Tom Fletcher on horse back, headed north on the PCT with a chain saw on the pack mule. The mechanical “mule”, courtesy of Mike Peckham, carried Mike, Jeff, Toni, Laurie, Bev and Debbie up the first road to the PCT to work south, while Stephen, Milt and Alison headed out by car to Road 70-40 to the PCT to work north.

Jamie, Bill, Stacey, Mary and Gail hiked up the connector trail to cut back the notorious white thorn that was encroaching on the passage way. Katlin and Ross used horse transportation to clear trees and trim high branches on the 70-50/60 loop. Keith held down the fort at camp while covering the previously cleared drain line at the pump.

Last but not least, GCTC President Julie McMannus, arrived for support and provisions for the pot luck dinner.

Trail crews returned early afternoon, relaxed a bit, with lunch and headed out again, some riding, some driving home, some relaxing, and some heading out to work again!

Stephen, Milt and Alison were on a mission to drive to the PCT via Webber Lake Road to try and finish Stephen's section of the PCT. Well, lets just say they missed a delicious pot luck dinner, but arrived back at camp (shortly after we sent the search team out), with big smiles on their faces having accomplished most of what they set out to do.

The total after everyone's hard work: We cleared 30 trees over 5 miles of trail and 26 trees over 3 miles of access road.

A job WELL DONE!! Thank you everyone!

- Submitted by Mary Johnson
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P. S. CLICK HERE to join the 700+ equestrian members of GCTC to help support 100 miles of non-motorized trails in Tahoe National Forest and Little Lasier Horse Camp and Skillman Horse Camp.

Good news - 446 volunteers. Bad news - 1,300 lbs. of trash on Tahoe's beaches

7/7/2026

From SF Gate newsletter: Picking up trash the morning of July 5 is becoming as big of a tradition in Lake Tahoe as the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

On Sunday, 446 volunteers — locals and visitors alike — showed up to six major beaches surrounding Lake Tahoe to pick up trash the morning after the Fourth of July festivities, equipped with reusable bags and grabbers, the nonprofit Keep Tahoe Blue said. They scoured the sand and the water’s edge for litter and worked their way up into the parking lots, trails, roads and neighborhoods.

(From Mother Lode Trails: Everyone should pick up their own trash and not depend on volunteers to do it for them. It's unacceptable that the pristine beaches of Lake Tahoe are inundated with disrespectful July 4th party goers. It's time for citations. Thank you to Keep Tahoe Blue!)

By noon, the volunteers had removed an estimated 1,300 pounds of litter from Tahoe’s environment and communities, according to tallies kept by Keep Tahoe Blue. That’s slightly less litter than average for the nonprofit’s annual post-Fourth cleanup.

Last year, Keep Tahoe Blue said 650 volunteers showed up to gather 1,375 pounds of trash. While more than a half ton of beach trash isn’t nothing, the trajectory is an overall positive one. In 2023, the nonprofit reported 8,558 pounds of litter collected. That year, volunteers compared the normally beautiful beach at Zephyr Shoals to a “landfill,” full of beer cans, inflatable rafts and abandoned sandals.

This was the 13th annual Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue Cleanup, a partnership with more than a dozen local organizations and businesses. Every year, volunteers carry clipboards to track the types of litter they find. That information goes into a database that Keep Tahoe Blue uses to identify trends and push for solutions to tamp down on littering, like banning single-use plastic water bottles and polystyrene foam in South Lake Tahoe and sending out a beach-cleaning robot that digs deeper in the sand and collects litter that’s been long forgotten.

“We’re incredibly grateful that so many people are doing their part to protect Lake Tahoe,” Marilee Movius, Keep Tahoe Blue’s sustainable recreation manager, said in a statement. “When we leave the beach better than we found it, we keep this place swimmable, hikeable, and enjoyable for future generations.”

Lisa, a volunteer from Sparks, Nevada, who grew up in Incline Village, was walking down the beach when she passed a young couple. The couple stopped and asked her what she was doing and she told them she was cleaning up the beach with Keep Tahoe Blue. “They both nodded and looked at each other, and I could see them realize, ‘we should be doing that too,’” Lisa said, according to the Keep Tahoe Blue news release.

On Saturday afternoon, Placer County sheriff’s deputies shut down multiple beaches at Lake Forest, a neighborhood near Tahoe City on the north shore, citing “large groups of teens, many from outside the area.” The sheriff’s deputies reported underage drinking, widespread littering and significant traffic impacts in surrounding neighborhoods.

Crowds overflowed to other beaches, too. At Meeks Bay Resort, on Tahoe’s west shore, large groups of beachgoers clad in stars and stripes and red, white and blue bathing suits walked down the middle of the highway, holding up traffic.

By Sunday morning, things had returned to normal in Tahoe. As volunteers cleaned up from the partygoers the night before, the beaches reopened at Lake Forest and a stream of traffic exited the Tahoe Basin.

To see the original article and photos in SF Gate CLICK HERE.

E. coli Detected at Folsom Lake Recreation Area, Visitors Urged to Use Caution

7/3/2026

Visitors to Folsom Lake are being urged to use caution after elevated levels of E. coli bacteria were detected at several popular recreation areas, according to California State Parks.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board found

...elevated bacteria levels at Willow Creek Day Use Area, Nimbus Flats, and Black Miners Bar Day Use Beach after water samples collected in late June showed higher concentrations near the shoreline.

Elevated E. coli levels can indicate fecal contamination in the water and may increase the risk of illness for people who accidentally swallow contaminated water. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, state officials said elevated levels warrant extra caution.

California State Parks and the water board are also continuing to monitor for harmful algal blooms, also known as cyanobacteria. Harmful algal blooms are a separate water quality concern and can pose health risks to people, pets, and wildlife.

Officials recommend visitors take the following precautions while recreating at lakes and rivers:

Do not drink water directly from lakes or rivers.
Avoid swimming with open cuts or wounds.
Shower after swimming or other water activities.
Rinse pets with clean water after they have been in the lake or river.
Keep dogs from drinking lake water or ingesting algae, as they are especially vulnerable.

Water quality testing will continue throughout the summer. Weekly results are available through California's recreational water quality monitoring program.

Click HERE to see complete article and photos at Yahoo News.

California promises big penalties for no-shows at park sites

6/29/2026

For years, California has been plagued by no-shows and late cancellations at state park campgrounds amid both a rising demand for campsites and limited penalties for those who don’t cancel their reservations in a timely manner. That’s set to change starting July 1 when new reservation policies take effect, which include steeper financial penalties and a one-year ban on campground reservations for repeat offenders who routinely no-show on sites. if someone cancels with less than two days’ notice or no-shows, they’ll receive no refund. California State Parks now has a three-strikes policy for missed reservations

California State Parks manages over 15,000 campsites and other lodging options at park units up and down the state, spanning Orange County beaches, North Coast redwoods, the Anza-Borrego desert and every classic California landscape in between. Reservations are typically made through Reserve California, and sites become available starting at 8 a.m. six months before the reservation start date. Some of the most popular campgrounds are fully booked for the six-month-ahead date within minutes each morning.
Previously, the state’s long-standing policies have allowed people to receive nearly a full refund for unused sites, so long as they canceled before 6 p.m. the day before their scheduled arrival. They would only be charged a $8.25 cancellation fee while forfeiting their $8.25 reservation fee.

And for those who canceled after 6 p.m. threshold, those same fees applied, plus the first night’s site fee. So if someone canceled the entirety of a three-night trip on the day they’d been scheduled to arrive, they would be charged $16.50 in fees and lose one night of site fees, but they’d still get two nights of camping refunded.

The same policy applied to people who simply never showed up to their reservation and never even bothered to cancel: They’d receive a refund, minus those fees and one night’s camping fee.
But starting July 1, a new tiered system will provide bigger penalties for those who cancel last minute or no-show for their reservation. The new system stems from legislation passed in 2023.

“We have massive demand in many of our campgrounds that outstrips the available inventory, and where we can hopefully incentivize people to cancel earlier, if they know they’re not going to use the reservation,” Contreras said. “That’s an earlier opportunity to have other folks be able to go through and book those campsites.”

Under the new rules, full refunds (minus the cancellation fee) will only be provided if the reservation is canceled seven or more days before the trip start date. After that, if a trip is canceled between two and six days in advance, only the first night’s site fee and cancellation fee will be charged. Finally, if someone cancels with less than two days’ notice or no-shows, they’ll receive no refund.

The 2023 legislation also created a new pilot lottery program for reservations at the state’s most popular campgrounds, which is currently testing whether a randomized drawing might be a fairer process for reservations than relying on “having the fastest finger on the internet,” Contreras said. Currently, registration is open through July 1 for lotteries at Malibu Creek State Park, Morro Bay State Park, Mount Tamalpais State Park and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.

But if you win one of those coveted lottery slots and later realize you can’t make it, make sure to cancel your reservation: Anyone who no-shows three times in a calendar year will now be banned from making advanced reservations for one year.
All of that means the next time I visit Limekiln State Park, I’ll hopefully have a few more campground neighbors.

To see the complete article and photos in the SF Chronicle, CLICK HERE.

Governor Newsom announces special free pass to California’s state historic parks in honor of Juneteenth and America’s 250th anniversary

6/17/2026

In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state. Starting today through Monday, July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and use it for unlimited visits to participating historic parks from Juneteenth until the end of the year. Californians can download the special FREE pass, see below.
Our local historic parks:
Marshall Gold Discovery SHP
Empire Mine SHP
Folsom Powerhouse SHP
Malakoff Diggins SHP

DOWNLOAD THE FREE PASS HERE:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30966

SACRAMENTO — California is making the incredible sites that preserve the state’s complex history free to visit through a special limited-time pass.
In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state. Starting today through Monday, July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and use it for unlimited visits to participating historic parks from Juneteenth until the end of the year.

“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history – in fact, we embrace it and learn from it. While Trump ignores and tries to rewrite the past, California is marking these celebrations of freedom by inviting everyone to learn our country’s history – our real history – for free in our state parks.” –Governor Gavin Newsom
“Building on our Outdoors for All initiative, we’re creating even more opportunities for Californians to explore the natural beauty and rich history that define our state. As we celebrate Juneteenth and our nation’s 250th anniversary, the free, special edition Historian Passport provides an incredible avenue for California families to immerse themselves in nature while gaining a deeper understanding of the remarkable place we’re proud to call home.” –First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Coming on the heels of the fifth annual California State Parks Week, the limited-time free pass is the latest example of California expanding access to all Californians, giving more of them the opportunity to experience the unmatched natural and cultural resources of the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system, which includes historic sites significant to many peoples and cultures, including Native Americans. State Parks is embracing the state’s complex history through its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, working to tell the full story of how California came to be.
Supported by donations from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, the special edition of the Historian Passport highlights California’s rich and complex history through places that preserve stories of freedom, resilience, innovation, and community — including Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, the most significant state park representing Black history in California. Participating parks span the state and showcase California’s diverse cultural, political, and social history, from Gold Rush-era communities and military landmarks to historic homes, missions and museums.
“California’s state historic parks preserve some of our nation’s most powerful and meaningful stories, and I’m proud to live in a state that celebrates diversity to connect more people with those stories through this limited-time free pass,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I hope the free Historian Passport introduces more Californians to the state’s historic gems and sparks a curiosity, thirst for knowledge and sense of belonging that leads to many return visits. I thank Governor Newsom and the First Partner for their unwavering support of State Parks, and a special thanks to our partners, the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, for supporting the free Historian Passport.”
“Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of equality. For generations, Black Americans were excluded from public spaces and denied access to the opportunities and experiences that others enjoyed,” said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Chair, California Legislative Black Caucus. “By widening access to California’s historic state parks to more families, we help ensure that public lands are places where everyone can learn and benefit from.”
The free pass builds on Governor Newsom’s State Parks Forward announcement on Earth Day, a bold effort to establish three new state parks — including a historic site near Bakersfield — and expand existing parks by more than 30,000 acres by the end of the decade. The announcement also follows Governor Newsom’s directive in January that more than 200 state parks offer free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026.
Discover California stories that shaped the nation

The California State Parks Historian Passport connects visitors to places that preserve the many cultures, communities, and defining moments that continue to shape California and the United States. Participating parks reflect stories of freedom, innovation, resilience and identity that continue to resonate today.
To visit the park sites, download your free special edition Historian Passport by July 6, and begin exploring California’s history firsthand. An account with ReserveCalifornia.com, State Parks’ official reservation service, is required to download.
Here are just a few parks passholders can access:
At Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, visitors can explore a California town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and a group of Black pioneers, the state historic park stands as a powerful symbol of self-determination, opportunity and freedom, making it especially meaningful during Juneteenth commemorations.
At Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, visitors can view what is thought to be the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America and one of the largest ceremonial roundhouse still used by Native Americans in California. Within the park, the Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum features a variety of exhibits and an outstanding collection of artifacts from tribes throughout the region.
At Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, visitors can see the site where gold was discovered in 1848, sparking the California Gold Rush that dramatically transformed the state and nation. Visitors also learn the complex history of how the Gold Rush accelerated westward expansion, drawing people from around the world in pursuit of new opportunity, while acknowledging the hard history of violence toward and resilience of California Native Americans.
At Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park, visitors can experience the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. Built in the heart of a Gold Rush-era Chinese American community, the site reflects the enduring contributions, traditions and resilience of Chinese immigrants who helped build California despite widespread discrimination and exclusion.
These parks, alongside nearly 30 other participating state historic parks, invite Californians to explore the stories, struggles, and achievements that continue to shape our collective history. While there, visitors can take part in State Parks’ second annual Share Your Space Photo Contest through the OuterSpatial app.
Making State Parks accessible for all

While this special edition Historian Passport is only available for a limited time, State Parks offers a number of free passes all year round in support of California’s Outdoors for All initiative. California residents from all walks of life — including families receiving public assistance, ALL fourth graders in public school, and anyone with a library card — can access free passes that open the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system and the unvarnished history of California to everyone.

California State Library Parks Pass: Allows library cardholders to check out a pass from any public library for free vehicle day-use entry at 200-plus state parks. It’s just like borrowing a book, with more than 33,000 passes available at over 1,100 public and tribal libraries in the state.
California State Parks Adventure Pass: Provides free entry to fourth-graders in public schools and their families at 54 amazing state parks. Download the pass and choose your adventure — mountains, deserts, forests, lakes.
Golden Bear Pass: This free annual pass provides vehicle day-use entry at over 200 state parks for families who receive CalWORKs, individuals who receive supplemental security income, income-eligible Californians over age 62, and participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Distinguished Veterans Pass: This free pass entitles honorably discharged California resident veterans to free vehicle day-use, family camping, and boat use at over 100 state parks. In addition, active, reserve, and retired military members receive free access on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

State Parks protects the best of California’s natural and cultural history; more than 340 miles of coastline; the tallest, largest and among the oldest trees in the world; and deserts, lakes, rivers and beaches. There are more than 5,200 miles of trails, 15,000 campsites, 145,000 acres for off-highway vehicle recreation, plus prehistoric and historic archeological sites, ghost towns, historic homes and monuments – all waiting for you.

12th Annual BYLT Celebration of Trails Month

6/11/2026

June 2026
Trail lovers of all ages and abilities are invited to hit the dirt with Bear Yuba Land Trust this June for a month-long Celebration of Trails packed with adventure, creativity, community, and fun!

This year’s lineup features the return of the wildly popular Summer Star Hike Challenge, where participants can explore 17 local trails, hunt for stars, and chances to win exciting raffle prizes (pre-registration required). Along the way, discover Art in Nature Installations showcasing site-specific works by local artists, plus inspiring artist-led Walk & Talks. Experience the magic of movement outdoors with the live theatrical performance, Butterfly Home; and kick it all off at Happy Hour with Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. and the limited-release Support Your Local Trails Pale Ale.

Looking to give back? Join Project on Preserve for a hands-on community trail project that brings people together in support of local open spaces.

And because every great celebration deserves an unforgettable finale, the month wraps up on Saturday, June 27 with a Street Party on Mill Street in downtown Grass Valley! Enjoy live music from The Gold Souls, family-friendly nature activities, awards, raffles, and plenty more to keep the good vibes rolling.

Get ready to hike, explore, create, celebrate, and support your local trails all month long!

CELEBRATION OF TRAILS EVENTS:
Art in Nature Installations: All of June
Step onto the trail and discover art woven into the landscape itself. Local artists Marina Caliari, Mick Englert, and Hannah Lipski have created immersive, site-specific installations using natural materials gathered from and/or inspired by the surrounding environment. Hidden among forests, creeks, and winding paths, each piece invites visitors to slow down, explore, and experience the trails in a new way.
Beginning June 1, artworks from will be on view along Cascade Canal Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain Trail, Rambler Trail, and Yuba Rim Trail.

Summer Star Hike Challenge: June 1 – 25
A fundraiser for BYLT
Lace up your boots, get outside, and explore some of our region’s most beautiful trails as you search for 17 stars along 17 trails all June long! Discover new favorite destinations, revisit beloved paths, and challenge yourself to see how many stars you can find. Every hike helps celebrate and support the local trails that connect our community to nature—so grab your friends, family, or hiking crew and make this summer your most star-filled yet! Registration required.

Cheers to Local Trails Kick Off Happy Hour: June 4
5-7pm, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. in Nevada City
Toast local trails at our Cheers to Local Trails happy hour. The event will feature Three Forks’ limited-release “Support Your Local Trails” Pale Ale, available for purchase during the event and throughout the entire month of June. For every pint purchased, Three Forks will donate $1 back to local trails!

Project on Preserve: June 6
9am, Wildflower Ridge Preserve in Grass Valley
Join us for Project on Preserve, Bear Yuba Land Trust’s hands-on community volunteer day! Whether you’re into building trail, yanking invasive plants by the handful, getting a little dirty for a good cause, or just spending time outdoors with awesome people, there’s a project with your name on it. Come lend a hand, meet fellow trail lovers, and help care for the beautiful places that make this community special.

Art in Nature Artist Walk & Talks: June 13 & 20
“Stay For A While” with artist Marina Caliari
Saturday, June 13, 10am Cascade Canal Trail
Meet at the Cascade Canal trailhead on Gracie Road and walk with us the one mile to the installation site.
“yâlo kormilyâ” with artist Hannah Lipski
Friday, June 19, 6pm Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
Meet in the Sugarloaf Mountain trailhead parking lot on Coyote Street
“Rice’s Crossing Labyrinth” with artist Mick Englert
Saturday, June 20, 10am Yuba Rim Trail
Meet at the Yuba Rim trailhead on Marysville Road and walk with us one-quarter mile to the installation site.

Live Theatrical Performance of Butterfly Home
Thursday, June 18, 6:30pm
Saturday, June 27, 9am
Litton Trail trailhead on Sierra College Drive
How are we connected to an iridescent milkweed puff glinting in the breeze? Have we lost touch with the pulse of our own nature? Join us for a walk along the Litton Trail and experience a theatrical performance woven through the forest. From one of the creators of “Project Wild Edges” comes Butterfly Home, an immersive journey of disconnection, transformation, and reclamation inspired by the metamorphosis of the monarch butterfly.

Street Party: June 27
5-8pm along Mill Street in Grass Valley
Hit the streets and celebrate your hiking adventures with fellow trail lovers as Mill Street transforms into the ultimate Celebration of Trails block party! This FREE community bash brings the fun with live music from The Gold Souls, local recreation and outdoor partner booths, family-friendly activities, prizes, and plenty of trail-loving energy.
Summer Star Hike Challenge winners will be revealed, raffle prizes awarded, and participants can snag their Trail Vibes t-shirts. Whether you hiked one trail or conquered them all (or just want to come out for the fun!), this is your chance to celebrate an incredible month of outdoor adventure, community, and local trails in style!

SUPPORT BYLT THROUGH THESE SPECIAL JUNE PROMOTIONS:
“Ales for Trails” features Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co’s limited-release, “Support Local Trails” Pale Ale! For every pint purchased during the month of June, $1 donated back to local trails!
“Treats for Trails” from Treats in Nevada City. Enjoy a scoop of their locally-sourced Yerba Santa Sorbet during the month of June and a portion of sales will be donated to BYLT.
“Happy Trails” with The National Exchange and The Holbrooke Hotels includes 15% off weekdays, 10% off weekends, 2 free cocktails from the hotel bar menu, and a map to local nature walks (June 1 -30). For every room booked, $10 will be donated back to BYLT.
Enter BYLT while booking or link directly to the promotion at the buttons below.
Book you stay at the Holbrooke in Grass Valley
Book your stay at The National Exchange in Nevada City

To read more information and see more photos click HERE for the Bear Yuba Land Trust webpage.

U.S. Forest Service to Open Millions of Acres to Off-Road Vehicles, Memo Shows

6/7/2026

From the New York Times today - The forthcoming order echoes Trump’s decision to repeal executive orders that have protected other public lands from vehicles for DECADES. The Trump administration is preparing to allow off-road vehicles on millions of acres of national forest land, according to a draft order prepared for Brooke Rollins, the agriculture secretary.

The move is a companion to President Trump’s decision on May 29 to repeal two executive orders that for decades had protected other public lands, including most national parks, from ATVs, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles. Read N.Y. Times article:
Trump Lifts Restrictions on Off-Road Vehicles on Public Lands - the president rescinded two executive orders that led to prohibitions to the use of vehicles in most national parks.https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/climate/trump-off-road-vehicles-public-lands.html

One executive order that Trump repealed last week was signed by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972. It established strict criteria for the use of off-road vehicles on federal lands in an effort to minimize their environmental impact. The second, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, authorized the government to immediately shut down off-road driving if it was causing ecological damage. Trump's orders repeal both.

The undated Agriculture Department secretarial memorandum, which was reviewed by The New York Times, directs the U.S. Forest Service to identify which closed “roads, trails, areas, airstrips and waterways” in each national forest might be considered for year-round recreation access.

The memo would also immediately allow off-road vehicles in areas that the Forest Service has recommended to Congress should be granted wilderness protections. Right now, ATVs are not allowed in many of those areas, which are treated as if they were protected already. That move alone affects about 5 million acres, primarily in Idaho and Montana.

“As the United States marks 250 years of independence in 2026, we must shine a light on our nation’s greatest natural treasures and ensure every American can recreate on these majestic lands,” the memo said. Michael Abboud, a spokesman for the Agriculture Department, said in a statement that the agency is “committed to ensuring Americans can responsibly access and enjoy their public lands while maintaining strong stewardship of natural resources.”
The pair of policies encouraging off-road vehicles is part of a Trump administration effort to de-emphasize conservation and promote recreation and economic activity on public lands.

In the coming weeks, the Forest Service is expected to issue a proposal to rescind a Clinton-era regulation that prevents new road-building in nearly 60 million acres of undeveloped land. The Bureau of Land Management has proposed to repeal a Biden-era rule that allowed public lands to be leased for conservation purposes. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed opening 95 percent of wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing.

Dan Hartinger, the senior policy director at the Wilderness Society, an environmental group, said ATVs, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles could severely damage wilderness areas.
“These are some of the wildest natural areas we have left in our forests,” Mr. Hartinger said. In particular, he argued, allowing off-road vehicles in areas the agency has recommended be protected “threatens our ability to ever protect them in the future if they’re irrevocably damaged.”

Currently, the Forest Service has a lengthy process for evaluating and recommending to Congress land that could be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Only Congress holds the authority to officially designate land as wilderness and grant it special protections — but once a recommendation is made, the Forest Service is obligated to protect the qualities of the land that made it eligible for recommendation in the first place.

Under the draft order, the forest service will manage recommended wilderness areas for what is known as multiple-use, which aims to balance commercial, recreational and conservation activities. It also calls to restore “access to uses and levels prior to recommendation as wilderness” within 30 days.

For people who enjoy riding off-road vehicles, the move would be welcome. Federal regulations have shut down OHV recreational access to public lands for half a century, said Ben Burr, the executive director of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, an association of motorized vehicle groups.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/climate/national-forests-off-road-vehicles-public-lands-trump.html?

$500,000 awarded to fund trail linking Hidden Falls to Big Hill Preserve

6/5/2026

A $500,000 Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant will fund a new Placer County connectivity trail linking Hidden Falls Regional Park and Big Hill Preserve. Work includes 3 miles of multi-use trail and three small bridges.

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), a California state agency focused on improving the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra-Cascade, approved nearly $1.5 million to new early action wildfire-resilience projects and just over $3 million to new projects to help boost recreation and tourism in the Sierra-Cascade.

Recreation opportunities and improvements
Seven projects in the Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access Directed Grant Program were approved for a total of $3,153,998 in funding by the Board that will help with planning and implementing of work to improve and restore trails and facilities in Butte, Kern, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Tehama, and Trinity counties.

With the help of a grant from the SNC, the South Yuba River Citizens League will construct a 5.5-mile loop trail with boardwalks and a viewing platform to improve recreation use and help protect the sensitive Van Norden Meadow.

Two projects will begin recreation work in Placer County. The Placer County Division of Parks, Trails, and Open Space will utilize $500,000 to construct a new connectivity trail, which will provide a crucial link between the existing 1,200-acre Hidden Falls Regional Park and the Big Hill Preserve.
The work will include construction of 3 miles of muti-use trail and three small bridges.

Taking place in Placer and Nevada counties will be the Van Norden Meadow Recreation Project. With the help of a $499,950 grant, which is also pending passage of this year’s state budget, the South Yuba River Citizens League will build, improve, and formalize trail alignments to manage ongoing recreation use to protect sensitive meadow habitat and cultural resources.

In Nevada County, the city of Grass Valley was awarded $720,000 to treat approximately 240 acres of forested land in Wolf Creek, Boston Ravine, and other locations in the southernmost portion of the town.

More information about the two new grant programs will be published on SNC’s website.

Next fiscal year Action Plan approved
The SNC’s Strategic Plan identifies specific activities that the organization will focus on over a five-year period. The current 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes implementing and advancing the regional goals of Healthy Forests and Watersheds; Resilient Sierra-Cascade Communities; Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access; and Conservation and Stewardship of Natural and Working Lands. To help the SNC stay in alignment with its Strategic Plan, it also develops an annual Action Plan that identifies specific activities and focus areas for each year. At the meeting, the Board approved the 2026-2027 Action Plan.

To see the complete summary from Placer County newsletter, CLICK HERE.
https://sierranevada.ca.gov/the-snc-awards-new-wildfire-resilience-and-recreation-grants-starts-two-new-grant-programs/

Give Back to the Trails On Saturday, June 6

6/4/2026

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA (MPG) – Outdoor enthusiasts, community members and trail advocates are invited to celebrate National Trails Day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, by giving back to the Tahoe Basin.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA), Keep Tahoe Blue (KTB) and Nevada State Parks are joining forces to host a day of community stewardship, trail work, litter cleanup and celebration at Van Sickle Bi-State Park on Tahoe’s South Shore.

Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or looking to get involved with Tahoe Basin volunteer opportunities for the first time, this event offers a meaningful way to protect and preserve the environment. Volunteers will receive an exclusive gift. Following the morning’s stewardship efforts, volunteers will be treated to a celebratory tailgate BBQ and raffle starting at 2 p,.m.

As a special thank you to the community, Patagonia Reno will be on-site hosting a Worn Wear Pop-Up. Volunteers are encouraged to bring one item of clean, laundered clothing or gear (any brand) for free, on-site repairs, such as patching torn fabric or fixing broken zippers to help extend the lifespan of their favorite outdoor gear and reduce waste.

Location and Logistics
The event will kick off at the Van Sickle Bi-State Park Trailhead Parking Lot (Nevada Lot). Because parking is strictly limited, organizers strongly encourage participants to bike, use public transit, or carpool.

Transit or carpooling participants can ride a Tahoe Transportation District Bus, take a Lake Link microtransit shuttle or carpool to the nearby Stateline Transit Center where they can collect a parking pass from event staff provided by the Marriott Grand Residence Club and the City of South Lake Tahoe, and then enjoy a scenic 15-minute walk up to the trailhead.

Event sponsors include Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Keep Tahoe Blue, Nevada State Parks, Patagonia Reno, Marriott Grand Residence and the City of South Lake Tahoe.

How to Get Involved
Advanced registration is required to secure your spot, food, and project assignment. For more information, event details, or to RSVP, visit tahoerimtrail.org/event/national-trails-day/

Come do good for the Tahoe Basin together!

To read the complete article and more photos in the Placer Sentinel newspaper, CLICK HERE.

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