Blog Archives

Bike Races and events on Lone Grave - Harmony trails in May

4/26/2024

Below is upcoming mountain bike activities & event dates:

• May 4-5
CA Dirt MTB Series, Race 1
(Trails north-side of CA-20)
<https://ybonc.org/events/dirt-classic/>
2024 California Dirt MTB Series | USAC CA XC MTB Championship

• May 4
Dirt Daze Expo and Bike Rides
(Trails on both sides of CA-20 trails)
<https://www.mtbnorcal.org/dirtdaze>
Dirt Daze! <https://www.mtbnorcal.org/dirtdaze>

• May 9th after lunch
GVCS Middle School MTB Race
(Trails north-side of CA-20)

• May 11th
New Running event
(Trails north-side of CA-20)

• May 18th
Nevada City Enduro
(Trails south-side of CA-20)
Home | Nevada City Enduro
<https://bearadventure.wixsite.com/nevadacityenduro>

ACE - Park Watch Report founder and renowned trail advocate, Donna Williams (Nov. 13, 1942 - April 8, 2024)

4/23/2024

Photo Credit: Donna Furlow. Donna Williams with her favorite dog, Pepper.
Donna Williams (Nov. 13, 1942 - April 8, 2024)
Many of you knew Donna Williams and her smile, saying, "Hey, kid!" when she saw you on the trail, and then would ask if you could help that weekend clearing trail or weed whacking or attend a trail comment meeting.

For over 40 years, Donna shared her passion for equestrian trails and public lands with others. She had a quiet strength and never gave up on fighting for something she felt was right. She was instrumental in keeping the horse trails in Oroville SRA, she established the Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging area and maintained it religiously, she rode for the Folsom Lake SRA Mounted Patrol and never missed a public comments meeting for those trails. And, what comments she wrote! Here is one requesting FERC restore the bridges and trails on the American River.

This letter entails everything who Donna was - please read it and be inspired!
https://relicensing.pcwa.net/var/www/html/public_html/documents/DLA//__Draft%20License%20Application%20-%20Comments%20Received/01_Donna%20Williams/Donna%20Williams%2020101013-0054.pdf

In addition to all that, she was a founder of ACE and particularly the Park Watch Report, which evolved into this current Mother Lode Trails resource website. She volunteered with the Sweep Riders of the Sierras, she has THREE Tevis buckles, established and helped maintain many miles of trails, all the while encourage others to do the same. She belonged to and volunteered her time to GCTC, LBHA, AERC and many other organizations.

She was a tireless advocate for public trails because she believed being in nature with our animals encourage the very best in us.

Personally, she mentored me for decades. She helped me establish the Emigrant Trail Conservancy, the Park Watch Report, and Mother Lode Trails. She encouraged me to use my technical talents to help organizations who advocate for the trails.

A friend said, "Donna was a perfect example of how one person can make a huge difference..." Donna will be missed by all who knew and were inspired by her.

Rest in peace and keep riding on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, my dear friend and mentor.

Auburn SRA re-opens "thrilling" Culvert mountain bike trail, April 20

4/19/2024

The Auburn State Recreation Area's popular Culvert Trail is opening Saturday morning after a major rebuild. The Culvert Trail is among the most popular trails in the Auburn area with its twisting route down a hillside between Lake Clementine and the confluence of the American River. An effort led by the mountain bike advocacy group, the Folsom Auburn Trail Riders Advocacy Coalition (FATRAC), led to a rebuild of the decades-old trail. The trail opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

"We are just so excited for the community to come out and check out the trail and this is why we do it for the community. We love it and we hope everybody enjoys it," said FATRAC managing director Deborah Young. FATRAC worked alongside California State Parks to get permits for the rebuild of the trail and make sure it stayed within its original footprint. Specialized bike company stepped in with funding and a professional trail crew to complete the work.

The final result is a fun roller coaster ride on two wheels down the classic flow trail complete with jumps and berms to thrill and challenge riders. "They are built to get your bike leaned way over, drag your bars on the ground if you are good enough to do that, I think it’s going to be a blast," FATRAC President Matt Wetter said.

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But, according to Auburn SRA rules, for safety, "The maximum cycling speed on all trails within Auburn State Recreation Area is 15 MPH; however, when passing pedestrians and equestrians, and when approaching blind curves, cyclists may not exceed a maximum cycling speed of 5 MPH." See all rules here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1345
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While there are multiple places one can start from, the most popular trailhead is the parking lot at the American River confluence. The most popular route is a nine mile loop including the Lake Clementine trail, Fuel Break trail, Culvert trail and Confluence trail.

https://www.kcra.com/article/explore-outdoors-culvert-trail-auburn-state-recreation-area/60547169

National Trails Day - June 1, 2024

4/17/2024

You don’t have to go it alone. National Trails Day® provides the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community. Join the nationwide movement to give back to trails and build a world where everyone feels welcome and has access to enjoy the great outdoors.JoinFind a local event or create your own and join the nationwide movement.
PledgeCommit to leaving the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them.
ConnectShare your impact by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking.

https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/

72-mile Tahoe National Forest Pines to Mines Trail Will be Open to e-Bikes

4/16/2024

A new trail segment will link the towns of Truckee and Nevada City and is set to allow e-bike access along the entire route. --Article from Singletracks, a mountain biking resource.

The relationship between e-bikes and the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) can best be described as “on again, off again.” Singletracks first reported on the allowance of eMTBs on non-motorized TNF trails in the summer of 2019. E-bike access was granted on 32 trails in five different trail networks. While the TNF officially gave the “okay” for this new group of trail users to access trails, they made it very clear that they were not changing any policies.

However, this allowance was short-lived. Only a few months later, several groups filed lawsuits against the TNF, claiming allowing e-bikes disregarded the agency’s own policies.

By April 2020, the pressure from these equestrian (and other) groups was likely successful, and e-bikes were again banned from non-motorized trails. One year later, the TNF announced that 35 miles of existing non-motorized trails had been opened for e-bike use. This time, they checked all the appropriate boxes.

In a 2021 email, Truckee District Ranger Jonathan Cook-Fisher told Singletracks, “The two objections we received were withdrawn and this decision went through the formal environmental analysis process and is considered final.”

You can add the TNF, once again, to the list of USFS districts that are opening access to e-bikes. The new Pines to Mines trail, which has been proposed and approved, will allow class-1 eMTBs on the non-motorized, multi-use trails. Pines to MinesPines to Mines will stretch 72 miles east to west in California, from Nevada City to Truckee. The plan is to incorporate around 50 miles of current trail and build around 22 miles to connect the Pioneer Trail in the west to the Donner Lake Rim Trail in the east.

And all 72 miles will be class-1 e-bike friendly.

First, there was the reality of connecting existing trails—seven in total, three on the Truckee side and four coming from Nevada City. Then, there was the struggle of staying on USFS land. “We have the checkerboard [land] where the Forest Service has every other parcel,” Pedley explained. “So we had to weave through and stay on Forest Service land.” Truckee Trails Foundation and the other trail advocacy groups also dealt with the struggles of the standard environmental assessments and the area’s remoteness. As they jumped through these hoops and began to lay the foundation for the Pines to Mines trails, the initial proposal did not include e-bikes.

“When we initially started this process, we did not include e-bikes only because the trails on both ends didn’t allow e-bikes,” Pedley said. The concern was that the USFS would not allow them, and obviously, there had been previous tension around eMTB usage in the Tahoe area. Plus, as Pedley explained, adding e-bikes to the proposal meant a higher level of analysis.

However, as they continued to move forward with the Pines to Mines planning, Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano asked them why they didn’t include the option of e-bikes in the proposal. According to Pedley, Ilano felt that e-bikes were already an existing user group on the trails and should officially be included in the proposal.

After everything was said and done, the proposal entered the public commenting period with three options. Option one was for no change. The trail designation wouldn’t change, and no new trails would be built. Option two was to build the Pines to Mines trail, and for all 72 miles, both existing and new trails, to be redesignated as allowing “wheeled motorized vehicle use,” but identify the specific trails as “Trails Open to Class-1 E-Bikes Only.” The third option was to build the Pines to Mines trail but leave it designated as non-motorized.

Ultimately, the USFS found building the Pines to Mines trail and allowing class-1 eMTBs access posed no significant land impact. Work can begin on the project, and existing trails have been redesignated to allow class-1 e-bikes. And Pedley explained that this isn’t a “trial period.” “They have the green light, but if you look at the decision, it talks about monitoring and enforcement, and if they get a significant amount of conflict, they will probably consider switching it,” Pedley said. “But I don’t anticipate that.”

With a history of e-bike access on trails in the Tahoe area, we wondered if this newest user group addition concerns the public. “With any multiple-use trail, there is going to be a concern for conflict,” Hamann told us. “[Some things] we can do to mitigate that is to straighten out the trail to provide for better line of sight, and adhere to width and height standards for multiple uses like equestrian and mountain bikes.” Along with building and maintaining trails in such a way that it accommodates many user groups, Hamann also emphasized etiquette education through signage.

Many public comments addressed trail conflicts and were concerned that more would arise with the addition of e-bikes. Speed continues to be a significant concern, not only in terms of safety but also how e-bikes will affect the land and vegetation. We asked how these major concerns are addressed in the analysis done in the Pines to Mines proposal and how that analysis differs because it includes e-bikes.

“Mountain bikes and pedestrians were all previously allowed on the trails,” Hamann said. “With e-bikes being classified as an additional use, we did have to analyze the effects that e-bikes would have on multiple-use trails and how they would affect other users.” Hamann then directed us to the e-bike analysis in the public documents. The e-bike findings were interesting, with some common themes popping up more and more. First was the perception of speed, and the analysis mentions the similarities between regular mountain bikes and e-bikes regarding speed.

The analysis also pointed out that much of the conflict around speed and safety has more to do with a lack of knowledge of eMTBs than actual conflict. In some instances, other trail users were sharing the trail with eMTBs without knowing it. Soil and vegetation damage from e-bikes also seem to be fairly nominal and in no way drastically greater than that from a regular mountain bike. The ability to go off-trail is a noted concern; however, the analysis mentions that many e-bike users tend to be older, less experienced riders who are less likely to go off-trail.

The e-bike analysis also acknowledges that these studies are relatively new. While they try to rely on data and experiences from previous analyses, the data can be few and far between, especially when it comes to how eMTBs will specifically affect Tahoe trails.
As e-bikes become more popular, more are being ridden on non-motorized trails. Some have expressed that the USFS should enforce e-bike laws by ticketing individuals rather than trying to accommodate this user group. While Hamann assured us that they do have officers on the trails enforcing regulations, the USFS also has to balance that with its mission.

“Our National Forest plan is to consider emerging technologies and the changing ways that people recreate on Forest Service lands,” Hamann explained. “We want to provide more recreation opportunities, allowing users who may not be able to ride traditional mountain bikes. It has the potential to include all ages and will attract more diverse users to public land in a way that is both ecologically and socially responsible.”

Hamann and Pedley confirmed that funds will be needed to complete the Pines to Mines trail. Trail work and preparation will start this summer once the area is out from under several feet of snow.

To see the original article and photos, go here:
https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/72-mile-tahoe-national-forest-pines-to-mines-trail-will-be-open-to-e-bikes/

Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano departs Tahoe National Forest

4/16/2024

Nevada City, April 15, 2024 - Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano is departing the forest after 14 years. Ilano will join the Forest Service’s national office to lead the agency’s timber and biomass utilization initiative.

“Working with the communities, organizations and staff of the Tahoe National Forest has been the highlight of my career,” said Ilano. “I feel lucky to have had the chance to work here.” During his tenure, Ilano had a particular focus on building partnerships between the Forest Service and a wide range of organizations and government entities.

“Eli Ilano elevated the partnership between the County of Nevada and the U.S. Forest Service to new heights during his tenure as Forest Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest, which occupies 195,000 acres of our heavily forested community,” said Nevada County Executive Officer Alison Lehman. “Together, we tackled not only forest health and wildfire prevention but also major recreational initiatives. Eli’s been an exemplary partner and friend – I will miss him and wish him well in his latest endeavors.”

“With Eli’s innovative leadership the Tahoe National Forest has demonstrated an effective model of landscape-level shared stewardship, a model being adopted by forests across the West,” said Matt Millar of the National Forest Foundation.

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- From Mother Lode Trails: Ilano was not beloved by all. He was the lead responsible for the unpopular decision allowing motorized e-bikes onto Tahoe National Forest NON-motorized trails. After a lawsuit backed by the BackCountry Horsemen, Wilderness Society, Gold Country Trails Council and others, he pulled back the original plan. In spite of close to 500 miles of motorized trails for e-bikes, that didn't stop his push to add e-bikes to the non-motorized trails - TNF rewrote the original plan establishing the motorized bikes on non-motorized trails and finally got it through the legal loopholes.
Read more here: https://www.motherlodetrails.org/alerts/aerc-national-letter-opposing-new-tahoe-national-forest-policy-allowing-motorized-e-bikes-on-non-motorized-trails.
and here:
https://www.motherlodetrails.org/alerts/wilderness-society-joins-outdoor-partners-asking-the-tahoe-national-forest-to-reverse-its-decision-to-allow-motorized-bikes-on-non-motorized-trails
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Ilano served as Forest Supervisor on the Tahoe National Forest from 2016 to 2024. Previously, he worked as Deputy Forest Supervisor for both the Tahoe National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Ilano also served in an acting role as Deputy Regional Forester for the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region. Previous to the Forest Service, Ilano served in roles for the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Senate and in the non-profit sector in various communities around the country.

As the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region conducts recruitment for the Tahoe National Forest Supervisor role, Matthew Jedra will serve as acting Forest Supervisor. Jedra joined the Tahoe National Forest as Deputy Forest Supervisor in 2020.

To read the complete article in YubaNet.com, go here:
https://yubanet.com/regional/forest-supervisor-eli-ilano-departs-tahoe-national-forest/

UNVEILING PINES TO MINES TRAIL!

4/11/2024

BEAR YUBA LAND TRUST is excited to see the Pines to Mines project move forward after years of careful planning and collaboration with many partners. When complete, the trail will be 72 miles in length, and will include 50 miles of existing forest service trails and 22 miles of new trail construction, connecting Truckee to Nevada City.

Crew is set to break ground on the ‘missing link’ section from Hole in the Ground to Spaulding Lake Trail this 2024 trail season. In addition to the 'missing link' section, BYLT is also working to secure a trail alignment between Harmony Ridge and Sugarloaf Trail that will complete the trail connection to Nevada City, as well as leading a bridge project on the Spaulding Lake Trail that would allow hikers, bikers, and equestrians safe, year-round access to the trail.

For more on Pines to Mines, check out Sierra Rec magazine's feature here.
https://sierrarecmagazine.com/article/truckee-pines-to-mines-trail/

Unveiling the Pines to Mines Trail – The Missing Link Connecting Truckee to Nevada CityIn the heart of the Sierra Nevada, where rugged peaks meet sprawling forests and crystalline lakes, a new adventure is about to unfold. The Truckee Trails Foundation, in collaboration with the United States Forest Service, Nevada County, Bear Yuba Land Trust, and Bicyclists of Nevada County, (not mentioned is the Gold Country Trails Council - from Mother Lode Trails) is on the brink of realizing a long-awaited dream—a trail that will bridge the gap between Truckee and Nevada City, aptly named the Pines to Mines Trail.

Shovel Ready for Adventure
Spanning 72 miles of breathtaking terrain, the Pines to Mines Trail is set to become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking the ultimate backcountry experience. With 50 miles of existing Forest Service trails already in place, the final 22 miles of new construction will seamlessly connect these trails into a cohesive network, promising an unforgettable journey to the heart of the Sierra.
For years, the vision of a long-distance trail linking both ends of Nevada County has fueled the dedication of trail advocates and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Now, with funding secured and environmental studies complete, the stage is set for groundbreaking in 2024. The anticipation is palpable as the community eagerly awaits the realization of this ambitious project.

A Trail for All SeasonsThe Pines to Mines Trail promises something for everyone, catering to hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders alike. From leisurely day hikes to challenging multi-day backpacking expeditions, the trail offers a diverse range of experiences against the backdrop of stunning vistas and varied terrain.
As adventurers traverse the trail, they’ll encounter a tapestry of landscapes, from the tranquil shores of Donner Lake to the rugged peaks of the Sierra Crest. Along the way, historic towns and pristine wilderness converge, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Nevada County’s heritage.

Beyond the Trail
But the Pines to Mines Trail is more than just a pathway through the wilderness—it’s a catalyst for community engagement and active lifestyles. With local restaurants and breweries awaiting weary travelers at either end of the trail, the journey is as much about camaraderie and celebration as it is about exploration.
Moreover, the trail holds the promise of economic revitalization, drawing visitors from far and wide to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Sierra Nevada. By fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting outdoor recreation, the trail embodies the spirit of stewardship and conservation that defines the Sierra communities.

The trail will cross the face of Red Mountain and descend to Eagle Lakes under the shadow of Old Man Mountain

A Trail to Remember
As we stand on the cusp of a new chapter in Sierra exploration, the Pines to Mines Trail beckons us to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. From Truckee to Nevada City, through towering forests and across alpine meadows, the trail invites us to forge connections, create memories, and experience the magic of the Sierra in all its splendor.
Join us as we countdown to groundbreaking in 2024 and witness the birth of a trail that will leave an indelible mark on the landscape and in the hearts of all who traverse its path. The Pines to Mines Trail—where adventure awaits around every bend, and the spirit of the Sierra comes alive. With this new trail, bikepackers and long-distance hikers will not only have the opportunity to connect to iconic routes like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail but also to the Tahoe to Pyramid Lake Trail. This connection opens up the possibility for a complete Sierra crossover adventure, stretching from Nevada City to Pyramid Lake in Nevada, offering an unparalleled journey through the diverse landscapes of the Sierra Nevada range.

Truckee Trails Project Engineer Larry Lehman scouting the missing link section with Devil’s Peak in the background.

PHOTO CREDITS: SIERRA REC MAGAZINE. To see the full article and all the photos, go here:
sierrarecmagazine.com/article/truckee-pines-to-mines-trail/

Celebrate the Third Annual California State Parks Week June 12-16, 2024

4/11/2024

From California State Parks PRESS RELEASE - APRIL 10, 2024
With more than 200 events, the public is invited to celebrate the third annual California State Parks Week, June 12-16, presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation.

Through special in-person community events and virtual programming, this week-long event celebrates California’s 280 state parks and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places.
A complete list of the week’s events and how to participate is available at CAStateParksWeek.org.

This year’s themed days:
Wednesday, June 12: Explore New Experiences
From epic beach days to the magic of ancient redwood forests, there is so much to see, do, and experience in California’s incredible state parks. California State Parks Week is your invitation to explore an activity that you just might fall in love with. View all events.
Featured:

Sunset Kayak Tour at Lake Natoma in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) (Sacramento County)
Owl Meet-and-Greet and Owl-Box Building Demo with All About Owls at China Camp State P ark (SP) (San Francisco Bay Area)

Thursday, June 13: Nourish Your Health and Well-being
There’s a reason why playing outside, having a barbecue or picnic, or taking a walk in the open air feels so good. Studies have shown that time in nature can boost people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Everyone should have access to these benefits. California’s state parks give us all places where we can find refuge, inspiration, and joy. When we connect with nature, we are connecting with ourselves and boosting our overall health. View all events.

Featured:

Lava Bluffs Trail Guided Hike at Calaveras Big Trees SP (Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties)
Yoga at Lake Natoma in Folsom Lake SRA (Sacramento County)
Forest Bathing at Mount Tamalpais SP (San Francisco Bay Area)

Friday, June 14: Support Climate Resilience
Forests, oceans, grasslands, and other ecosystems throughout California’s public lands store huge amounts of carbon, making them powerful tools in adapting to climate change. That’s one of the reasons why it’s critical that all of us protect lands and waters. Learn about and support efforts by California State Parks and partner organizations to ensure climate resilience—from expanding protected lands in state parks and restoring forests to engaging in educational dialogue about climate threats and solutions. View all events.

Featured:

Pacheco SP Wind Turbine Tour (Merced County)
Wild Things and Climate Resilience at Auburn SRA (El Dorado and Placer Counties)

Saturday, June 15: Celebrate Community and Culture
California’s state parks are for all people. We reaffirm this truth by elevating the perspectives and experiences of communities that have been historically underrepresented in public lands. On this day and every day, we honor Black, Indigenous, and communities of color and the many ways these communities care for, relate with, and enjoy our shared parks. Join us for celebrations and cultural events statewide. View all events.

Featured:

Guided Tours of the State Indian Museum State Historic Park (SHP) (Sacramento)
Catching Wind at Candlestick: Kite-Flying Extravaganza at Candlestick Point SRA (San Francisco Bay Area)
Sue-meg SP Village Tour (Humboldt County)

Sunday, June 16: Care for Our Shared Lands
It takes our full community to care for public lands. Partners and volunteers are vital to keeping California’s state park system healthy, beautiful and rich in biodiversity. Discover how you can get involved in efforts to protect and steward California’s state parks as a volunteer, a partner, or one of many other roles. View all events.

Featured:

Perk Up in the Park at Mount Tamalpais SP (San Francisco Bay Area)
Marine Debris Monitoring with Tomales Bay SP (San Francisco Bay Area)
Redwood Restoration Hike & Father’s Day Beach BBQ at Mendocino Headlands SP (Mendocino County)
Beach Habitat Restoration Day at Half Moon Bay SB (San Mateo County)

Launched in 2022, California State Parks Week advances the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative.The initiative expands outdoor access to all Californians through focused investments in open space infrastructure, outdoor programming and improvements to permit applications, with a priority to support underserved communities.

Why California State Parks Week?
California’s state parks preserve and protect the state’s natural and cultural history. In recent years, it has become abundantly clear that public lands play a critical role in making communities stronger, happier, and healthier. Our shared parks are places where everyone can connect with nature and find inspiration and joy. California State Parks Week is a fun way to celebrate the wonder and sense of community that the outdoors provide to Californians and visitors from all over the world.

Armando Quintero, director of California State Parks: “The third annual State Parks Week celebrates the diverse natural and cultural heritage preserved within California's 280 state parks. This week also reminds Californians that ‘This is where you live.’ All Californians deserve to enjoy these public outdoor spaces. There are many ways to explore them including with free park passes for select state parks. Welcome – Bienvenidos – ?? – Maligayang pagdating.”
Rachel Norton, executive director of California State Parks Foundation: “For the third annual California State Parks Week, we are once again celebrating wellness, stewardship, community and adventure. This week presents a special opportunity for both residents and visitors to California to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and significance of the state's protected spaces, including its state parks. By engaging with these natural and cultural treasures, individuals have the chance to develop a deeper connection to the land and its history. It's a time to embrace the wonder of these protected spaces and to reflect on the role each of us plays in their conservation and stewardship.”
Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League: “Research consistently demonstrates the numerous health benefits associated with spending time outdoors and experiencing nature. California's state parks serve as invaluable access points to these experiences for people of all backgrounds and ages. By providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, connection with nature, and encounters with awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural treasures, California's state parks play a vital role in promoting overall health and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and human history.”
Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO of Parks California: “California State Parks Week highlights some of the many ways people can explore parks and create personal connections with nature. Whether it's experiencing the awe-inspiring natural beauty of these spaces or learning more about California’s historic places and unique cultural resources, California's state parks offer something for everyone.”

California State Parks protect the best of the state’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, and 15,000 campsites, prehistoric and historic archeological sites, ghost towns, historic homes and monuments — all waiting to be explored.
* * *

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Robin Carr at 415-766-0927 or [email protected].

California State Parks: The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Save the Redwoods League: One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 400,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.

Parks California: Parks California is a statewide nonprofit working to ensure state, regional, and local parks thrive. As the statutory partner to California State Parks, Parks California has a simple mission—to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. From redwood groves and desert springs to urban parks and lighthouses, the organization works with partners to steward these natural wonders and make California’s parks more welcoming, accessible and relevant to all visitors. For more information, please visit parkscalifornia.org.

California State Parks Foundation: California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at calparks.org.

Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected]
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1264

Contacts:
Jorge Moreno, California State Parks
Email: [email protected]
Robin Carr, Landis Communications Inc.
Phone: 415-766-0927 | Email: [email protected]

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

4/11/2024

From a Mother Lode Trails reporter today:
"I was riding yesterday with friends to Avery Pond from Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging area and back. When we got back we found our horses were covered with ticks. We removed 163 ticks off our horses!"

From MOTHER LODE TRAILS:
Ticks are now at 100 to 1,500 feet elevation and will be everywhere soon, up to 2,000 to 3,000 feet elevation. 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. Parks and 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 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:
The best tick repellent and killer for horses is Farnam BiteFree Spray. Perform a thorough tick check on yourself and your horses when you get home.

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.

Folsom taps state to fund second giant Johnny Cash guitar pick on the Johnny Cash Trail

4/11/2024

Folsom is asking the state this week for $425,000 to fund the second seven-foot guitar pick on the Johnny Cash Trail.
The Folsom City Council was scheduled this week to apply for the specific grant fund of $425,000 for the city of Folsom Parks & Recreation Department and the "Johnny Cash Trail Art Experience - Cash's Pick No. 2."
The city of Folsom is in District 7, represented by Assemblyman Josh Hoover, a Folsom native. Hoover will accept requests from members for projects in the district. Last July, Hoover worked to get Folsom the $425,000 added to the state budget.
The Johnny Cash Trail is a 2.5-mile, Class 1 trail with 12,000 users who walk, run and bike it monthly. The city is fundraising to install a world-class public art experience along the trail to celebrate Cash, his music and his Folsom connection.
Currently, the Folsom Parks Dept. is working with a contractor to build the first seven-foot-tall bronze guitar pick. Cash Pick One will be located at the western end of the trail adjacent to Riley Street and Greenback Lane above the Rainbow Bridge.
"This funding will be critical in starting the landscape architecture, engineering and art fabrication for Cash's Pick No. 2, an identical pick to complete both the beginning and end of the Johnny Cash Trail," staff said in the report.
The $425,000 from the State Department of Parks and Recreation would allow Folsom to contract with RRM Design Group for the landscape architecture and engineering for Cash Pick Two. The city will contract with Romo Studios LLC and Adan Romo for the art fabrication of the seven-foot pick.
The total grant funding requested was $425,000, and there is no required local match for this grant application. The funding is exclusively allocated to the first and second phases of Cash Pick 2, which includes landscape architecture, engineering and art fabrication, with an estimated completion timeline of 10-12 months.
Cash Pick 2 was included in the approved Johnny Cash Trail Art Experience Master Plan, so the project needs no environmental review, staff said.
The Johnny Cash Trail connects with existing trails in the Historic Folsom District, where cyclists can access the Folsom connector onto the American River Trail.
The 32-mile American River Trail is used by 5 million people annually. The origin of the trail dates to the 1800s, when Jedediah Smith broke a trail between Old Sacramento and Folsom.

To see the original article and photo in Gold Country Media, CLICK HERE.

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