MOTHER LODE TRAILS

Loon Lake New Equestrian ONLY Camp Sites in Eldorado National Forest

4/16/2026

Last year, Loon Lake Campground was upgraded and is now complete and will be opening this June 19th. This includes major upgrades to the equestrian sites. Equestrian Loop has 8 pull-through campsites and now the group area has 5 group sites. Each site in the Equestrian Loop is now designed better for pull-throughs and handles larger LQ trailers. Also, each site has 2 permanent stall steel corrals.

Group sites can handle two rigs per site and each have 4 stall steel corrals. All equestrian sites also have tables, fire pit and bear boxes. Water is available in both areas. Campsites have easy access to Desolation Wilderness and the Tells Creek area trails.

Thanks go to SMUD, US Forest Service, Doug Veerkamp General Contractor for these major improvement to the previous outdated equestrian sites, and special thanks to the Elegant Ears Mule Association that provided recommendations in the design/improvements of the equestrian sites.

These are now equestrian-only sites!

Reservations required. Campsite open June 19th. Come check it out! Go to Recreation.gov for photos of site, details and reservations, or just click here:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232070

Trump's administration will move the U.S. Forest Service headquarters from D.C to Salt Lake City and will shutter research facilities in 31 states.

4/3/2026

During a congressional hearing and public comment period on the subject last summer, more than 80% of the 14,000 public comments submitted were negative, with many tribal representatives, conservation groups and former Forest Service staffers opposing the move. Regardless, Trump's administration will move the U.S. Forest Service headquarters out of the nation's capital to Salt Lake City and will shutter research facilities in 31 states.

“Nobody is asking for this,” said Robert Bonnie, who oversaw the Forest Service as a Department of Agriculture. “None of the farm groups want this. No one in conservation wants this. Nobody.”

To Bonnie and other former Forest Service staff, the plan, which will uproot thousands of employees, looks like it will only make the agency’s existing troubles worse, especially given the past year of deep cuts and chaos. Taylor McKinnon at the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity described the move as "a costly bureaucratic reshuffle" that will put more power in the hands of corporations and states to log, mine and drill public lands. National forests belong to all Americans," said McKinnon, the environmental group's Southwest director. "Our nation's capital is where federal policy is made and where the Forest Service headquarters belongs."

CLICK HERE to see complete article.

Trump admin proposing 'catastrophic' cuts to the National Park Service in today's 2027 budget

4/3/2026

The National Park Service will operate with more than 25% less money, if the Trump administration gets its wish. The Trump administration’s proposed budget, which would need to be approved by Congress, also calls for cutting the Park Service’s construction budget by 72% compared to 2025. The administration is looking to cull staff, too: A new “strategic initiative” announced by the Interior Department on Thursday seeks to further slash the size of the already-reduced Park Service.

According to the administration's 2027 budget proposal, released today, funding for park operations could be reduced by $736 million.

“A cut this massive would be catastrophic," said John Gardner, senior director of budget and appropriations for the National Parks Conservation Association, in a press release. "After a year of deep staffing cuts, dwindling resources, and attacks on history and science, park staff are already at the brink... This proposal would only accelerate the damage."

At the same time, the Trump administration is proposing the allocation of $10 billion within the Park Service for a new "Presidential Capital Stewardship Program" for beautification efforts around Washington, D.C. That's more than three times the annual budget of the Park Service, and nearly half of the Park Service's total deferred maintenance backlog across the entire system...

CLICK HERE for the complete article in SF Gate.

Mother Lode Trails:
Trump and his administration are actively ignoring what Americans are requesting: continue funding our National Parks and Park Service. CLICK HERE see what surveys state, "Nobody Wants This: Polls find Majority of Americans Oppose Attacks on National Parks and Park Staff." Last year, when the cuts were less onerous, more than 2/3 of Americans surveyed opposed the Trump’s proposed budget cuts, while only 16% support cutting park staff.

ICK! TICKS! It's Lyme tick time starting right now

3/30/2026

From a Mother Lode Trails reporter March 30, 2026:
"I was riding from Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging area to Avery Pond and back. When we got back we found our horses were covered with ticks. We removed 40+ ticks off just one of our horses!"

From MOTHER LODE TRAILS:
Ticks are coming out EARLY this year! Every year Mother Lode Trails posts this warning about ticks, how to repel and avoid them.

TICKS! IT'S LYME TIME!
Several trail users have told of dozens of Black Legged Ticks crawling on hikers, horseback riders, and particularly dogs. After a hike on the Independence Trail, one hiker removed 20+ ticks from one dog. Grassy trails in our area right now are loaded with ticks waiting to jump on you and your pets. Be aware in ALL grassy and treed areas. Where ever there are deer, there will be ticks.

WHY SO MANY TICKS??
We have had much higher than normal warm weather and earlier rainfall resulting in a higher mouse and deer population, the main carriers of the Black Legged Tick. Add the lush grass and brush where they can hide and drop on any person or animal that brushes past, and we have a perfect storm.

BLACK LEGGED TICKS ARE A MAIN CARRIER OF LYME DISEASE
Approximately 10% to 30% of the ticks tested in our area are affected by Lyme Disease and can pass it to you, your horses and your pets. If not identified and treated quickly, Lyme can become a chronic and debilitating disease. Lyme disease in humans has more than doubled in the past decade. Ticks carry many more diseases than just Lyme. Ticks cause more disease than any other insect except mosquitos, and only because mosquitos have a much larger geographical range. Ticks can harm your horses, causing Tick Fever which exhibits extremely high fevers, lethargy, and death. Dogs may develop Lyme disease, becoming ill with fever and developing lameness and sluggishness. A more serious form of the disease can affect the kidneys and is often fatal.

WHAT TO DO?
For humans:
Wear light colored clothing, stay on the trails, and use sprays containing DEET, or better for the environment, Picardin. You can even apply Picardin products to your clothes that lasts through washing.

For horseback riders:
Before you ride, best tick repellent and killer for horses is Farnam BiteFree Spray or Farnam Endure. Perform a thorough tick check on yourself and your horses when you get home. If your pastures have deer visiting, be sure to regularly put those tick killer sprays on your horses on their legs, back, face and stomach where the ticks either land from above or crawl up from the grass.

See the poster below showing the only approved way to remove a tick from dogs, horses and humans.

MORE INFO
www.MotherLodeTrails.org
To see all the information posted about Lyme Disease, and ticks in our area, and how to deal with them, just type in "Lyme" in the Search function box at the top of this webpage.

Rattlesnakes are out extra early this year!

3/27/2026

With the early spring weather, it just hasn't been that cold and the rattlesnakes are taking advantage of it. There have been Rattlesnakes seen on trails at Hidden Falls, Folsom Lake SRA, Cronan Ranch and Auburn SRA. Rattlesnakes are coming out of of their dens, basking in the sun, and then becoming more active - this is a full month early.

In our area, rattlesnakes bite hikers, bikers, runners, dogs, and horses every year, usually starting in mid-April. This year, starting now, in March.

HOW TO KEEP YOU (AND YOUR ANIMALS) FROM BEING BITTEN

Keep your dogs ON LEASH so they don't get bitten. Rattlesnake avoidance training is available all year round. See trainers online, such as "Get Rattled."
Many horses will alert you to snakes - equestrians should really listen to their horses who can hear and smell them way before their riders can.
When hiking wear long loose pants and high boots.
STAY on the trails. It's almost impossible to see the snakes in high grass.
Mt. bikers, slow down, so you don't run over them (and get bit in the process).

SNAKE FACTS
Most people bitten by rattlesnakes have inadvertently stepped or ridden over them. Snakes detect movement by sensing vibrations in the ground. Their eyes see well even in low light. Rattlesnake bites can be dangerous but are rarely fatal to humans. With proper medical treatment, including antivenin, bites can be treated. Rattlesnakes can strike 2/3rds their length, and they are wonderfully camouflaged in the same color grass.

NOT ALL RATTLE!
Young rattlesnakes do not yet have their rattles, though they are as dangerous as adults, according to the National Park Service. Furthermore, some adults may lose their rattles, so it is a good idea look out for the triangular head. (In Folsom Lake, for example, rattlesnakes that rattle get killed, those that don't...don't. Meaning that after several generations, we have families of silent snakes.)
After the rattle, rattlesnakes’ most distinctive physical feature is their triangular head. Also, they have vertical pupils, like cat’s eyes.

RATTLESNAKES ARE LOCAL
Generation after generation of rattlesnake will use the same dens, sometimes the same den for more than 100 years. Upon leaving their dens, they like to sun themselves on rocks, trails, and other open places. Though they are not nocturnal, in the hot summer months they may be more active at night.

CALIFORNIA KING SNAKES ARE GOOD SNAKES! (PHOTOS BELOW)
Despite their venom, rattlesnakes are no match for California King snakes, which are fond of putting them on their dinner menus. DON'T KILL CALIFORNIA KING SNAKES!

Horseshoes and Handlebars event March 21, 2026

3/17/2026

From The Union newspaper:
Last year a unique and successful event took place in Nevada County that brought together two groups who share the same trails but don’t always understand each other very well—mountain bikers and equestrians.
On Saturday, March 21, the event returns.

To sign up, CLICK HERE.

“Horseshoes & Handlebars,” a clinic designed to improve trail safety and communication between mountain bike riders and horseback riders, will once again take place at the historic Nevada County Horsemen’s, Inc. (NCHI) grounds. The event is sponsored by the Gold Country Trail Council (GCTC) in collaboration with Bicyclists of Nevada County (BONC) and Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County (YBONC).

Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 40 cyclists and equestrians and proved to be both educational and fun. Many younger riders attended, gaining valuable knowledge about how to safely share Nevada County’s multi-use trails. With spring arriving and trail traffic increasing, the timing for this event couldn’t be better.

Nevada County is fortunate to have incredible access to public lands, with the Tahoe National Forest serving as our outdoor playground. Most of these trails are multi-use, meaning hikers, runners, equestrians, and mountain bikers all share the same terrain. Understanding how to interact safely with one another on the trail is essential.

The clinic will feature a series of short presentations from local trail leaders and experienced riders who will discuss trail etiquette, right-of-way rules, and best practices when encountering horses on the trail.

One of the most fascinating topics discussed last year—and likely again this year—is how horses perceive the world around them. Horses have nearly 350-degree vision, extremely sensitive hearing, and a powerful sense of smell. They can detect sounds and movement long before we humans even notice them. Because of this heightened awareness, sudden movements or a fast-approaching cyclist can trigger a horse’s instinctive flight response.

That’s why one of the most important lessons for mountain bikers is simple: Slow and Say Hello.
Talking to the rider and horse lets the animal recognize that the approaching figure is a human and not a predator. Often the rider will give clear instructions on how they would like you to pass. A calm, predictable interaction keeps everyone safe.
Participants last year also had the chance to take part in hands-on exercises. Mountain bikers practiced approaching horses at different speeds and angles, learning how communication and body language can make encounters far less stressful for both horse and rider.

One of the highlights of last year’s event was when a few brave mountain bikers—including yours truly—climbed onto a horse for a short ride in the arena. Being several feet off the ground on top of a 1,000-pound animal with lightning-quick survival instincts provided a whole new appreciation for what equestrians experience on the trail.
Let’s just say it had been about 50 years since my last horseback ride—and that reunion with the saddle reminded me why I chose bicycles.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend this year’s event because I’ll be traveling out of town for work. But if the first year is any indication, it will once again be a great morning of learning, laughter, and better understanding among trail users.

Key Takeaways for Trail Users -

Mountain Bikers...
Yield to all other trail users
Control speed and approach carefully
Avoid startling horses
Use your voice and ask riders how they would like you to pass

Hikers / Walkers / Runners...
Stay alert and aware of others
Allow space for safe passing
Yield to horses
Keep dogs under control

Equestrians...
Communicate clearly with approaching trail users
Help guide others on how to pass safely
Stay calm and attentive to your horse

As spring arrives and our trails fill with people enjoying the outdoors, a little knowledge and courtesy go a long way.
Whether you travel the trails on two feet, two wheels, or four hooves, we all share the same goal: getting outside, staying healthy, and enjoying the beautiful landscape that makes Nevada County such a special place to live.

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

Spenceville closed for special permit turkey hunters March 28 - April 5, 2026

3/12/2026

California Fish Wildlife closes the Spenceville Wildlife Area for special permit hunting season every year. No one else allowed to hike or ride. Probably just as well as you don't want to be mistaken for a turkey.

If you are interested in a permit, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Special-Hunts

Project Update: Big Hill Preserve and Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion

1/22/2026

From Placer Land Trust:
Since 2007, Placer Land Trust (PLT) has been preserving land between the Bear River and Raccoon Creek watersheds, protecting those waterways and thousands of acres of open space lands for their excellent conservation values. These lands are rolling oak woodlands, critical wildlife habitat, rangelands grazed by cattle, and a beautiful location for recreation. (Photo Credit: PLT)

Over the past several years, PLT has been working with Placer County to open 480 acres at PLT’s Big Hill Preserve in North Auburn to public access and recreation, and to eventually build a trail connecting Big Hill Preserve to the nearby Hidden Falls Regional Park. We’re excited to share with you some significant progress!  

Placer County-led construction started in 2025 with repair and improvements on our existing road and trails at Big Hill Preserve; this work is wrapping up this month. The County is also building a new parking and trailhead area off of Bell Road, which is now nearing completion. 

Over the next several months, the County and its contractors will move forward with building some final trails on Big Hill Preserve. As these efforts conclude, we plan to open Big Hill Preserve to public access by the end of 2026!

Concurrently, Placer County will be working on permitting and construction of new trails on both PLT and County property that will connect Big Hill Preserve with Hidden Falls Regional Park. This process will take longer, but the County is working diligently to see the final connection goals realized.

Placer Land Trust is looking forward to sharing this incredible natural place with the community, which has been a goal of ours for nearly two decades. Stay tuned for updates! 

https://placerlandtrust.org/project-update-big-hill-jan25/

Forest Services to give e-bike access to more than 100 miles of Tahoe trails

1/14/2026

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service issued the final decision for the Basin-Wide Trails Analysis Project. The project will expand e-bike use and trail system access and connectivity on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

“This is a highly anticipated project,” said Forest Supervisor Erick Walker. “During the planning process, interested community members submitted feedback that was instrumental in shaping the final decision.”

Planning for this large-scale trail connectivity project included analysis of the current road and trail system map, potential environmental impacts, and needs for e-bike access while ensuring public safety.
Project work is expected to start in June 2026. Activities will include:

Constructing new e-bike trails, including a new branch of the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path open to e-bikes, new motorcycle trails, and new non-motorized trails
Designating new routes open to e-bikes and new routes open to motorcycles
Constructing three new trailheads
Developing and upgrading existing trailheads, parking areas, and access points
Providing paved parking and restrooms at Pine Drop, Brockway Summit and Elks Point
Upgrading road and trail crossings for aquatic organism passage
Installing wayfinding and interpretive signs

Currently, e-bike use is permitted on national forest roads and trails designated for motor vehicle use in accordance with the Forest Service’s Travel Management Rule and Motor Vehicle Use Maps. The Motor Vehicle Use Maps will be updated for the e-bike and motorcycle trails included in the decision.

The final Decision Notice and project documents can be found on the project webpage or on Pinyon Public. Questions may be directed to Environmental Coordinator Ashley Sibr at [email protected].
For updates on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, follow on Facebook and X, and visit our website .

Time to get your 2026 California State Park Pass

12/30/2025

SACRAMENTO — As California celebrates its 175th anniversary, California State Parks is highlighting its annual passes as the perfect gift for 2026 to experience the extraordinary beauty and diversity of the Golden State. From beaches and redwood forests to mountains, lakes, off-highway vehicle parks and historic sites, there’s sure to be a park in the nation’s largest state parks system to capture your imagination in the new year.

Whether you know a nature buff or want to give the gift of adventure, State Park passes offer something for everyone. It’s also the perfect gift to give yourself.

Special for 2026, annual passes purchased beginning Jan. 1 will feature a CA 175/America 250 logo commemorating 175 years of statehood and 250 years of U.S. independence – making them a unique collector’s item.

How to Buy a California State Parks Pass
Annual passes are available for purchase via our online store and in-person at many locations throughout the State Parks System. They are also available for purchase at most district and sector offices and many park units. Please call ahead for availability at the in-person locations. Gift cards can be purchased and redeemed online at store.parks.ca.gov/collections/park-passes.

Discount passes require an application and may be applied for online, by mail or in person. The list of locations and contact information is available on the Pass Sales Locations webpage.

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