MOTHER LODE TRAILS

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.

Forest Service debuts new recreation mobile app

6/3/2026

Washington, D.C. — To kick off Great Outdoors Month, the Forest Service is launching a new, single visitor-information mobile app, National Forests and Grasslands, now available for download as visitors plan their summer trips to recreation sites across the National Forest System.

USE THE QR CODE IN THE GRAPHIC ABOVE!

For the first time the app provides the most complete and accurate collection of Forest Service recreation sites that has ever been made available to the public, along with important planning tools like critical safety alerts, closures, amenity details and more.

“Due to the sheer size and remote nature of our 165,000 miles of trails and more than 30,000 recreation sites, we know that mobile service can be limited once you reach your destination,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “We encourage everyone to download the National Forests and Grasslands app – your own pocket-sized Forest Service guide – to check trail conditions, download offline maps, and view safety alerts before your trip.”

With the app, users can design their own adventure by identifying and favoriting recreation activities on national forest lands within a selected radius.

Visitors can search for opportunities such as hunting and fishing, water activities like canoeing or rafting, bike – or equestrian – friendly trails, and campsites based on available amenities.

Downloading maps ahead of time allows users to access their location even in remote areas. Optional map layers, including fire information and National Weather Service alerts, can be toggled on to provide a complete picture of the environment at your destination.

This debut will retire nearly 30 similar, outdated agency apps, improving overall visitor safety, access and consistent information to the nearly 164 million visitors who recreate on national forests and grasslands each year.

Download the app, explore your favorite trails and check out events happening during National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The National Forests and Grasslands app is available for download on Apple store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

To read the complete article in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, CLICK HERE.

2026 Celebration of Trails with Bear Yuba Land Trust

5/28/2026

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

This year’s lineup includes:

Kick-Off Happy Hour with Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. — Raise a glass to local trails with the limited-release Support Your Local Trails Pale Ale.
Summer Star Hike Challenge — Explore 17 local trails, hunt for stars, and earn chances to win exciting raffle prizes (pre-registration required).
Art in Nature Installations — Discover site-specific artworks created by local artists using natural materials along area trails.
Artist Walk & Talks — Meet the artists and experience the stories, inspiration, and process behind the installations.
Butterfly Home — Enjoy a live outdoor theatrical performance celebrating movement, nature, and imagination.
Project on Preserve & Trail Mix — Roll up your sleeves for hands-on community stewardship projects supporting local trails and open spaces.
Street Party — Celebrate in downtown Grass Valley with live music from The Gold Souls, family-friendly nature activities, awards, raffles, and more.

Get ready to hike, explore, create, celebrate, and support your local trails all month long. Read on for full event details!

Go her for more info!
https://www.bylt.org/celebration-of-trails/

New interactive Placer Land Trust MAP!

5/27/2026

FROM THE PLACER COUNTY STEWARD NEWSLETTER:
Looking for someplace to get outdoors and enjoy this beautiful springtime weather? Whether you're looking to picnic, paddle, or enjoy a stroll with your pup on a dog-friendly trail, we've got just the thing — check out our new interactive map of our public Placer Land Trust preserves to find the perfect spot!

Folks have been asking for an easy way to browse our public lands, and we heard you. With this new mobile-friendly online map, you can filter by activity, see what's near you, and even fly over the canyons or zoom in to check out the terrain. Maybe we're map nerds, but we think it's super cool — and we hope you do, too! 😎

Federal rule prioritizing 'conservation' in BLM land use revoked

5/14/2026

The repeal reduces the role of “conservation” in BLM’s land use decisions and reverts the agency’s decision making to the “multiple use and sustained yield” land use strategy outlined in the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

A public comment period gathered 147,649 comments, according to its official page on the Federal Register. A statistical analysis by the Center for Western Priorities, a conservation advocacy organization, found that 92% of public comments were in support of keeping the rule.

The Sierra Club, a conservation advocacy organization, spoke out against the decision alongside several other organizations and policy directors. Several comments included in its petition said BLM’s decision would “weaken public land protection while prioritizing extractive industries.”

“This action follows a broader pattern of efforts aiming to accelerate drilling and mining, weaken federal land management capacity, and advance proposals to sell off or privatize public lands. Together, these moves represent a clear rejection of the public’s demand for responsible, balanced stewardship of our public lands,” the Sierra Club wrote.

To see the complete article, go to the Georgetown Gazette newspaper article HERE.

BYLT Summer Star Hike Challenge 2026

5/5/2026

Starts: Monday June 1, 2026 7:00 am
Ends: Thursday June 25, 2026 9:00 pm

4th Annual Celebration of Trails
Summer Star Hike Challenge
A Fundraiser for Bear Yuba Land TrustJune 1 – 25, 2026
Trails across Nevada & Yuba Counties
Hike for the stars and support local trails with BYLT’s fourth annual Summer Star Hike Challenge! Lace up your boots, get outside, and explore some of our region’s most beautiful trails as you search for stars all June long. Discover new favorite destinations, revisit beloved paths, and challenge yourself to see how many stars you can fine while enjoying fresh air, scenic views, and outdoor adventure. 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!
This year’s adventure features:

17 local trails to explore, challenge yourself, and discover something new
17 stars to find, each crafted by an artist from Neighborhood Center of the Arts
Over a dozen exciting raffle prizes
Pre-registration required

Pre-registration for this event is required:

$25 adults
$15 participants under 18

All registrations include:

Entry into the Summer Star Hike Challenge and raffle
2026 Trail Vibes T-Shirt*
Star Map to help locate the stars (emailed to you on June 1, 12 o’clock midnight)
All proceeds from the Star Hike Challenge support the programs and mission of BYLT

*You must register by June 3, 2026 to receive a t-shirt. T-shirts will be available for pick up at the Street Party on June 27 and anytime after that at the BYLT Office in Grass Valley.
GO. HERE to register:
www.bylt.org/events/event/summer-star-hike-challenge-2026/

Opening dates for Lake Tahoe Recreation Sites

4/21/2026

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Winter is winding down, spring is in the air, and summer is just around the corner at Lake Tahoe. Over the next month, the U.S. Forest Service will open recreation sites on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for the recreation season.
Before the recreation sites open, they must be cleaned up after the snow melts. Safety hazards, such as dead or damaged trees, must be removed. And the danger of a freeze must pass before turning on restroom water systems.
The following recreation site opening dates are subject to change, based on weather and area conditions. Some sites and parking areas may open sooner.

Interpretive Sites

Inspiration Point – May 22
Tallac Historic Site – May 23
Taylor Creek Visitor Center – June 5
Logan Shoals Vista Point – to be determined

Campgrounds/Corrals/Resorts

Zephyr Cove Stables – Open
Camp Richardson Corral – Open
Round Hill Pines Resort – May 1
Meeks Bay Resort and Campgrounds – May 9
Camp Richardson Resort’s Eagle’s Nest, Badger’s Den campgrounds – May 22
Blackwood Canyon, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Nevada Beach and William Kent campgrounds – May 22
Angora Lakes Resort – May 23
Echo Chalet – Memorial Day, May 25
Camp Richardson Resort and RV Park – year round
Zephyr Cove Campground & Resort – year round
Luther Pass Campground – to be determined
Watson Lake Campground – to be determined

Beaches/Picnic Areas/Trailheads

Sandpit Off-Highway Vehicle Area – May 10
Sawmill Pond Picnic Area – May 16
Mt. Tallac Trailhead – May 17
Baldwin, Nevada and Pope – May 22
Bayview and Big Meadow trailheads – May 22
Eagle Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead – May 23
Kiva Picnic Area – May 23
Chimney Beach and Secret Harbor – to be determined

Until these sites are fully open, parking, trash service and restrooms are not available. Plan ahead and be prepared to pack out all trash. Until these sites are fully open, parking, trash service and restrooms are not available. Plan ahead and be prepared to pack out all trash.
National forest gate and road opening dates are determined by Motor Vehicle Use Maps. These dates are subject to change. Where gates remain closed, always park legally, avoid parking on vegetation, and do not block gates.

A friendly reminder about pets… Pets are not permitted at these designated swim beaches under public health and safety regulations: Baldwin, Camp Richardson, Meeks Bay, Nevada, Pope, William Kent, and Zephyr Cove.
Pets must be on a 6-foot leash in developed recreation sites. Where pets are allowed, clean up after and properly dispose of pet waste bags. For more on recreating with pets, visit Where Can I Take My Dog at Lake Tahoe?

For the latest information and updates, visit our website and follow us on Facebook

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