MOTHER LODE TRAILS

Day Hiker: Sugarloaf Mountain – a quick escape with stunning views

2/11/2025

Discover a short hike with big rewards in Nevada City - at just half a mile, Sugarloaf Mountain Trail may be brief, but it offers one of the best views in Nevada City. When your day is filled with “have-tos” – errands, appointments and obligations – why not carve out some time for a “want-to” and visit this scenic spot off Coyote Street? It’s the perfect place to recharge and take in the natural beauty of Nevada County.

A triumph of conservation
This 30-acre preserve is another success story by the Bear Yuba Land Trust, ensuring the community has access to nature. The wide, flat trail ascends at a moderate grade, leading you to the summit where benches await. From there, you can gaze out over the charming town below or take in the sweeping views of the mountains and canyons. It’s an ideal spot for a quick escape and a peaceful break from your busy day.

A springtime haven
In spring, the trail comes alive with wildflowers and a variety of insects. On my last visit, I spotted four species of butterflies in just a short time. Despite its short length, Sugarloaf Mountain’s natural beauty makes it a popular destination. I was alone until I reached the summit, where a departing family crossed paths with me. On my way down, I passed two more families enjoying the trail. Have you noticed how the energy shifts when you reach the top?

How to get to Sugarloaf Mountain:
* Take Interstate 80 to Highway 49 toward Grass Valley.
* Just past Grass Valley and Nevada City, Highway 49 veers left toward Downieville.
* The first road to the right after the turn is Coyote Street.
* Follow Coyote Street almost to the top, where it meets North Bloomfield. Look for space on the roadside to park (room for 3-4 cars). Across the street, a sign marks the entrance to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Tips for Your visit
Seasonal advice: Spring is an excellent time to visit, as the flowers bloom and butterflies fill the air. Fall is also beautiful, with crisp air and golden leaves. Bring a camera to capture the scenery and wildlife.
Local insight: Be sure to take in the history of Nevada City from the summit – it’s a town rich with Gold Rush heritage. Imagine what the pioneers must have seen from this very spot.

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

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Mary West is author of the trail guide series, Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide. Her books compile her Day Hiker columns, where she shares her deep love for the outdoors and highlights her favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West received the 2018 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column by the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her adventures on Facebook and Instagram for more trail inspiration.

Donner Party Hike - Sept. 7 & 8, 2024 - 8 different history hikes!

8/10/2024

The Donner Party Hike (DPH) combines the love for the Sierra Nevada wilderness and its history. The history of Donner Summit Pass has many “firsts” including:
– First Wagon train into California, 1844
– First Transcontinental Telegraph, 10/24/1861
– First Transcontinental Railroad, 5/10/1869
– First Transcontinental Bicycle Ride, 1884 by Thomas Stevens
– First Transcontinental Motorcycle Ride, 1903 by George Wyman– First Transcontinental Lincoln Highway, 1913
– First Transcontinental Telephone Route, 1914-1915
– First Transcontinental U.S. Airmail Route, 5/15/1918

This year’s DPH will be held on September 7 & 8, 2024.
The first day, Saturday, September 7, has a choice of 7 different hikes (with varying levels of difficulty), lunch and afternoon entertainment. The second day, Sunday, September 8, is a walking history tour. Each hike will be led by historians who will share the history of that specific portion of the Donner Summit and other significant areas. The fun of DPH is you get to choose the area of your interest. To help you in that endeavor below is a summary of what you will see and learn from each hike.

Hike Summary: Saturday, September 7
- Historic Donner Pass (moderate, 2.5 miles, departure time 8:30 a.m.). This hike is full of stunning views with incredible history. You will see where the pioneers were stranded in 1846 and the canyon that blocked their way. Ironically the Transcontinental rail route blasted through granite and built miles of snowsheds and tunnels along here. You will learn about “starved camp”, catfish pond, and why the giant concrete letters “SF” and “SL” are embedded on a ridge above.
- Railroad Summit Tunnel and More (moderate, 2.5 miles, departure time 8:30 a.m.). Tunnel 6 was an engineering marvel dug by the Chinese through 1659′ of solid granite. This hike is a must do. Walk through the tunnel and marvel at what an accomplishment this was and how the mules had to be blindfolded. Then stand on China wall, walk past the largest railroad workers camp and see the plaque dedicated to the successful Stephens-Townsend-Murphy party.
- Summit Valley (moderate, 4 miles, departure time 8:30 a.m.). Summit Valley tells the history of Van Norden dam, Van Norden lake, and its current transformation. Learn about the Native Americans in this area and how they lived and traded, walk on the Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road, see the remnants of the sheep industry and shepherd’s cabin, and finally the ruts still left from the original emigrant trail. Walking back, you get to understand what it took to either take a stagecoach or drive a car through here.
- Summit Canyon/Dutch Flat Donner Lake Wagon Road (moderate, 3 miles, departure time 8:30 a.m.). It’s all downhill on this hike. You get to experience the most significant square mile in California with all its “firsts” plus 2000-4000 year-old petroglyphs, a Chinese railroad workers camp, and spectacular views.
- Roller Pass/Judah Loop (strenuous, 6 miles, elevation change 1100′, departure time 8 a.m.). This is one of the most popular hikes at the Summit but with DPH it is told with stories along the route. You will learn about Roller Pass, rope tows, Sugar Bowl, Emigrant Trail and Sierra Crest Trail, first locomotives over the Summit (not on tracks), Chinese railroad workers camp, Red Mountain, first transcontinental air route and then the indescribable view from the top of Mt. Judah.
- Donner Peak/Coldstream Pass (strenuous, 4.5 miles, departure time 8:30 AM). This hike is a great option for those that don’t want to do the entire Judah Loop. Walking across granite slabs, you will be rewarded with a view from a notch almost 2,000′ above Donner Lake. Then there are numerous stories of the Emigrant Trail, Coldstream Pass, Theodore Judah, rope tows and more. It is uphill all the way up but downhill going back.
- High Sierra Lakes (strenuous, 6 miles, departure time 8:00 AM). This unique hike has not only incredible history and spectacular views but also three Alpine lakes nestled in the forest. There is crime, a sword in the stone, and you get bragging rights saying you ‘hiked on the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail’ which runs from Mexico to Canada.
Saturday After Hike Entertainment and Speaker
After lunch, Saturday’s hikers will be entertained by a Chautauqua featuring Touch of Gold and Alice and the Wonderlandz as they share the history of the Donner Party and Eliza Donner through song and storytelling. (Note: a Chautauqua is a traveling show that flourished in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provided popular education with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts, and plays and was modeled after Chautauqua Institution of western New York.)
There will also be a presentation by Tim Twietmeyer (co-inventor of history expeditions) as he shares the January 2024 reprise of the Snowshoe Thompson route over the Sierra. Afternoon entertainment will start after lunch and last until approximately 2:30 PM.

Hike Summary: Sunday, September 8
Walking History Tour (easy 0.5 miles, departure time 9:00 AM). This easy walk has you relive the grueling travel and mishaps of the Donner Party. From the picnic area you will drive to Donner Memorial State Park to see the Murphy cabin and Pioneer Monument. Admission to the park is included so enjoy the afternoon and visit the Emigrant Trail Museum and see the movie documentary.

Hike Logistics
All Saturday hikes will meet at Donner Ski Ranch on Highway 40 (Soda Springs exit off I-80). Remember that meeting times vary depending on the hike that you have chosen.
Sunday’s hike will meet at the Donner Camp Picnic Area (so inappropriately named) located on Highway 89 approximately 8 miles north of Truckee.

What to bring
Bring a small day backpack, water, layered clothing, camera, hat, camera, light snacks, sunscreen, dark glasses, tissue and a small trash bag. Please do not bring pets nor wear open-toed or slick soled shoes.

Pre-registration is required. Please go to donnerpartyhike.com to register and enjoy the fun and beauty of Donner Summit.

Judy DePuy resides here in Tahoe Donner with her husband, Dave, and their dog, Morticia.

For the original article in the Sierra Sun, click HERE.

Day Hiker: Glacier Meadow Loop - PCT off Donner

9/14/2023

--by Mary West
Glacier Meadow Loop Trail on the Pacific Crest Trail in Donner, California, is an easy half-mile loop at 7,200 feet elevation.

This trail is so much more as it connects to the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada and many other trails in the area. The rock formations and views of the surrounding peaks make this a great trail any time of year. In spring it is home to abundant wildflowers, ferns, grasses and, of course, a forest of trees.

My sons love this hike because there is so much to explore. Ponds and lakes, boulders, downed trees and a mostly flat area to wander. I enjoy the meadows, often wet with melted snow. The seasonal grasses and wildflowers are great for someone like me who can’t take enough pictures.

Glacier Meadow Loop trail is a great area for a picnic lunch atop a boulder with views of Castle Peak. The trail is a popular sledding and snowshoe area in winter. During winter you do need a parking pass, as it is very popular. But in summer there is free parking just past Boreal Ski Resort off the Castle Peak exit of Eastbound interstate 80. Take the exit and continue east along the frontage road to the parking area. Bathrooms and trail maps are located here as well.

This is a very popular hiking trail year around. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The tall pines provide much shade on the trail. Over the years we have used this spot as the starting point for many hikes. Glacier Meadow Loop trail is a great starter trail for someone new to alpine hiking or maybe for your out-of-town family and friends visiting this summer. An even better excuse to hike this trail, if you need one, is getting up the hill usually means cooler temperatures. (Photo credits: Mary West)

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker - Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (2nd edition Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

To see this article in its original form, visit Gold Country Media here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/295659/day-hiker-glacier-meadow-loop/

History: The Survival of Independence Lake: Part 1

6/22/2023

--by Judy DePuy / Truckee-Donner Historical Society
Independence Lake is known as the jewel of the Sierra. It is unique among the lakes of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada because it still retains all its native fish species and is home to one of only two self-sustaining populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout. In the 1970s, the lake and surrounding mountains were the target for a major four-season resort. The natural beauty and tranquility of the area has been preserved but the thought of the changes that would have come to the area is insurmountable.

History of the Lake
Independence Lake is a natural glacial lake in the Sierra Nevada of California. It is 2.4 miles long and half a mile wide with a maximum depth of 145 feet. Its surface elevation is 6,949 feet. Upper Independence Creek flows into the lake on its west side through a subalpine meadow. The lake’s outlet is on the east end which forms Independence Creek, a tributary of the Little Truckee River and then the Truckee River which then flows through Reno to Pyramid Lake.

The lake resides in Sierra County approximately 6.5 miles off Highway 89. The nearest major town is Truckee, 20 miles to the south and Sierraville, a smaller town, is 14 miles to the north.

The Lake sits within the traditional territory of the Washoe people who used it for approximately 9,000 years. Europeans didn’t ‘discover’ the lake until the mid-19th century. It is believed that the lake was named on Independence Day. Two stories exist as to who found and named the lake. The first has Lola Montez naming it on a trip there in 1853. Montez was a former mistress of King Ludwig of Bavaria and was forced into exile by the 1848 European revolutions. She traveled the world and was known as an actress, dancer and entertainer. She arrived in California in 1853 and resided in Grass Valley. Mount Lola is the highest peak (9,143 feet) on the west end of the lake and is supposedly named after her. Alternatively, the lake was named by Augustus Moore who built a stage station there in 1862 for the emigrants coming to California.

The first dam on the lake was built in 1879. NV Energy and its predecessor Sierra Pacific Power have held the property since the late 1930s. Although a wildfire in 1945 burned much of the forest around the lake, logging ensued and a new dam was built thereby increasing the lake’s water capacity. In 1947, Sierra Pacific Power Company bought the land around the lake, closing the area to most public access.

Interest in the Lake
Walt Disney fell in love with skiing in the late 1930s. At Badger Pass he met Austrian skiing champion Hannes Schroll, then head of the Yosemite Ski School, and they became good friends. Schroll wanted to build a ski resort in the mid Sierras, near Donner Summit and Truckee. Disney helped him to partially fund the purchase of the now Sugar Bowl Resort. To honor Disney’s support and partnership Schroll changed the name of Hemlock Peak to Mount Disney. Disney and his family truly enjoyed skiing there in 1941 which was the same year Disney released the Goofy movie short “The Art of Skiing”.

Walt went on to produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1960 Winter Olympics. At the time of his death, he was formulating plans for a family ski resort in Mineral King valley near Sequoia National Park. The planned resort faced fierce environmental opposition. The Disney Corporation wanted to fulfill Walt’s last dream and looked for another location. In December 1971, Disney Corporation and U.S. Forest Service officials met in San Francisco to discuss the problems at Mineral King and it being on public land. It was then that the Forest Service recommended Independence Lake as a promising alternative.

After an on-site inspection in 1973, Disney contacted the Southern Pacific Land Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the area’s two major owners of private property. That same year Southern Pacific made the first of several land exchange offers to the Forest Service to consolidate landholdings.

Disney’s proposal for the resort required 7300 acres from Southern Pacific Land Company, 2200 acres from Sierra Pacific Company and 10,000 acres from the U.S. Forest Service.

The business arrangement was set up with Disney being the general and operating partner, while Southern Pacific Land Company and the Sierra Pacific Power Company were limited partners. Basically, Disney wanted control and authority over the land used for the resort, a similar arrangement to what they had at Disneyworld in Orlando.

Disney’s Independence Lake project plan was announced on July 16, 1974. In the press release they stated “During the last century, the lands in this area have been extensively used for logging and mining activities. Every natural resource in the area has been utilized except for the recreational resource… It will be a village free of automobile traffic – uniquely American and based on the historical significance of the area…Visitor facilities, both winter and summer, will be concentrated at the northeast end of this magnificent two-and-one-half mile long lake. Here will be located a 21-acre pedestrian-oriented visitor village, lodging units, restaurants, guest services, campgrounds, and base operations for both winter and summer recreational programs. At full development, there will be accommodations on site for 2,900 guests during the winter and 3,400 during the summer. It is estimated that the project will ultimately host 1,800,000 visitor-days per year, with a maximum of 10,800 guests on site during a peak winter day.”

In 1975 Disney began working with the Forest Service for a land-swap plan and wanted it to be completed quickly. Disney hoped construction would begin in 1975 or 1976 but no later than summer of 1977.

Details of the planned resort started to leak out. The 21-acre village, in the first year of operation, was to feature: 150 lodge rooms, 150 cluster lodging units, 100 campground spaces, four merchandise shops with 12,700 square feet, 1,125 restaurant seats, 300 lounge seats, and 31,000 square feet of services. The services area would have a 100 square foot reception center, 800 square feet of kennels, a car care center, 150 seat employee cafeteria, and 100,000 sq. ft. of maintenance storage, administration and wardrobe. The recreation area, for the first year, would have a 33,000 square foot recreational center, theater-conference area, ice rink, spa and pool, six tennis courts (3 lighted), fish hatchery, two fishing lakes, a year-round swimming experience, boat dock and boats/equipment, snowmobiles, forest service information and conservation center, and hiking trails.

There were initially to be 10 ski lifts with Mount Lola having 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and 2,200 acres at the Summit (White Rock Lake and Lacey Valley) and would be 4.3 times larger than Squaw/Palisades Tahoe.

Future recreational facilities would have added 6 additional tennis courts, an equestrian center, and 4 more ski lifts. Total resort plans had 1,105 acres of ski trails, a 400-seat mountaintop restaurant, 100 acres of snowmaking, 275 lodge rooms, 325 condominiums, 200 campground spaces, and a funicular railroad.

Disney even projected the number of people who would stay at the resort. The first winter they opened was expected to have 3,870 skiers a day and 980 non-skiers. During the 12 peak days of winter, they expected 7,000 skiers and 1,750 non-skiers a day. In the summer they expected an average of 5,450 a day with 6,800 on peak summer days.

Disney planned to buy the Fibreboard lumber mill site just east of Truckee for a major transportation center. It would have a large depot linking the Southern Pacific Railroad line (now Union Pacific) with the new development.

Project costs were expected to be around $80 million but could be higher.
Initial response from Sierra County and the U.S. Forest Service was very positive. Local residents had a mixed reception, some in favor, some not. The lure of increased jobs and increased revenue was very tempting. Disney was given the green light to proceed with project planning.

Everything seemed to be in place…so what happened? Stay tuned for Part 2 of the article!
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Judy DePuy is a volunteer with the Truckee-Donner Historical Society, Donner Summit Historical Society and a Board member for the Museum of Truckee History and the Truckee Donner Railroad Society. She resides in Tahoe Donner with her husband, Dave, with their black Belgian sheepdog, Morticia.

To see the original article in the Truckee-Donner Historical Society, CLICK HERE.

Mary West: Stewarts Peak hike review

6/9/2023

I discovered this 7-mile out and back trek like I have many in the Truckee/Donner area, by looking at a peak and deciding I needed to see the view from the top.

Near Norden, in the Tahoe National Forest in Nevada County you can park right under Stewarts Peak and its trailhead along Donner Pass Road. Or just around the bend at the overlook at McGlashan Point. A nice wide parking area across the road gives you views of both the peak, Donner Lake, Norden Tunnels and Donner Summit Bridge.

Give yourself about three hours to climb all the switchbacks to the 7,389 Ft peak, take in the view and return to your car. You will be sharing this trail with many hikers and lots of K9 companions out for a stroll.

Stewarts Peak is part of the Pacific Crest Trail with amazing views. Many other trails branch off, so it is easy to get lost. I enjoy taking a closer look at the trees that have managed to grow from the granite and survived the snow loads and high winds common here.

Although this is a heavily-trafficked, moderate trail, it is less congested than Lake Tahoe trails. You can hear the Interstate for a half mile or so on the trail. The sounds fade away the higher you climb.
Take the Soda Springs Exit off Interstate 80 to Donner Pass Road across the street from the peak. You can also park at the rest area and follow trail signs from there.

CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos by Mary in The Union newspaper.

Hidden Falls Trails Expansion Update from Placer County

3/27/2023

HIDDEN FALLS REGIONAL PARK TRAILS EXPANSION PROJECT UPDATE MEETING
April 18, 2023
Placer County Department of Parks and Open Space is pleased to announce that the construction plans and specifications for the Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails and Open Space Expansion Project – Phase 1: Twilight Ride Access and Parking/Trailhead Project have been completed and are preparing for bid in anticipation of construction starting in summer 2023.

The project, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2021, will provide access to approximately 8 miles of new trails through a new entrance off of Bell Road, as well as improved signage and wayfinding.

In addition to construction of the new parking lot/trailhead, staff are working to address management needs and neighbor concerns including vegetation management, emergency response, signage and wayfinding, and cooperation with Placer Land Trust.

The Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails and Open Space Expansion Project – Phase 1: Twilight Ride Access and Parking/Trailhead Project is an important step in providing improved access to one of Placer County’s most beloved outdoor spaces.

In the hope that construction can start in summer 2023, county staff will be asking the Placer County Board of Supervisors to approve the project construction plans at their meeting this Tuesday, March 28. If approved, county staff will then be authorized to advertise for construction bids.

PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 18
Community members are invited to join County staff at 6:00 p.m. on April 18 for an update about all elements of the project. The public meeting will be held in person at the Placer County Planning Commission hearing room located at 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn or join virtually via Zoom at the link below.

Please click the link below to join the Zoom webinar:
https://placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/99816823304
Or Telephone:
US: +1 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 998 1682 3304

We look forward to having community members join us for this informational session. If you have any questions, please contact Placer County Parks and Open Space at [email protected] or by phone at 530-886-4901

Tracy Hodgson
Executive Assistant
Parks and Open Space
3091 County Center Drive
Auburn CA. 95603
Office: (530) 886-4901
[email protected]

2023 PCTA Tahoe Trail Skills College in June

2/1/2023

The Tahoe Trail Skills College is a free weekend event for volunteers to learn about trail maintenance and stewardship. Beginners and experts alike can benefit from Trail Skills College courses like Intro to Trail Maintenance, Waterbars & Checks and more.

Trail Skills College is offered free of charge in an effort to inspire stewardship of trails. In exchange for attending the training, we encourage you to volunteer at least 16 hours of work on trail projects in the coming year. The Pacific Crest Trails Association 2023 Tahoe Trail Skills College is possible thanks to the U.S. Forest Service.

When is it?
This year’s event will take place on June 23rd through 25th, 2023.

Where is it?
The main event & camping will take place at the Hobart Work Center, just north of Truckee, CA. Individual courses will take place at various trailheads in the area.

How much does it cost?
Trail Skills College is free of charge.

Are meals and lodging provided?
Meals will be provided on Saturday (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) and Sunday (Breakfast, Lunch). Please note your dietary restrictions on your volunteer profile when registering.
Camping will be provided on Friday and Saturday nights, on-site at Hobart Work Center. The campground will have water, bathrooms, and parking.

Can I just attend for one day?
No- all classes at this year’s event are two-day courses, so partial attendance will not be possible.

What’s the fitness level of Trail Skills College?
The fitness level of the field sessions will vary depending on the classes you select during registration. However, all participants should be prepared to hike a minimum of 1-2 miles while carrying personal gear and tools. Participants should also be prepared for the hands-on learning opportunities in many of these classes, resulting in 6 hours of active trail maintenance per day.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Day Hiker: Manzanita Trail is worth the longer trek for view of Confluence

1/13/2023

For the best view of the Confluence of the north and middle forks of the American River, let me suggest the Manzanita Trail to Stagecoach Trail. (photo credit: Mary West) Sure, you can get there from the Confluence by going directly up Stagecoach Trail, but the Manzanita Trail is worth the extra distance for many reasons. First, you can park for free at the Auburn State Recreation Area headquarters. Toilets, picnic tables and information about trails are located here and make it a great start and end point.

The Manzanita Trail is aptly named. During or right after a rain, the bark of the manzanita is bright red. The hearty bush thrives along the trail and in a couple areas it is shaped into an arched trellis over the path.

After connecting to Stagecoach Trail, the path opens, providing views of the Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California at 731 feet. The Confluence Bridge, Old Foresthill Bridge and Highway 49 Bridge are all within view.

If you look to the far right, you can see the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge. A small bench provides a good midway point. Turkey vultures often perch here. I have enjoyed watching them spread their wings and sun themselves on the highest limbs of the tallest trees here.

You can continue on Stagecoach or head uphill to the top of the Foresthill Bridge or downhill to the Confluence area. There are several trails to take advantage of from this point.

On Stagecoach, I was surprised to see the Heart Rock Tree had been cut down. Speaking to the Auburn State Recreation Area, it was necessary. A significant landslide took place near the tree, making it unstable. I placed my share of heart-shaped rocks in the nooks of the bark of the large pine. Now I only have pictures.

To get there from Auburn, take Interstate 80 to the Elm Avenue exit. Turn left onto Highway 49. Follow Highway 49 into the canyon and into the Auburn State Recreation Area. The ranger’s station entrance will be on your left about halfway down the canyon. Park in front of the office. The trail will be up the hill to your right around the maintenance shop. Black bears, snakes and other wildlife are in the area, so be cautious.

Take ample water and wear sturdy shoes. Exposed areas may require a hat, sunglasses and even sunscreen on sunny and hot days.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (2nd edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series – Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE for original article and more photos by Mary West

Visit the South Lake Tahoe Glen Alpine Trail - Mary West

11/26/2022

The highlight of Glen Alpine Trail is the Glen Alpine Falls (upper and Lower) that you will drive to on your way to the trailhead. But look up and look around at the mountains of Desolation Wilderness including Mount Tallac. In spring this area is a perfect Chamber of Commerce image of the area found on Highway 89 a few miles north of South Lake Tahoe, California at the end of Fallen Leaf Road just to the west of Lake Tahoe.
(Photo by Mary West - Behind the gate is a lovely two-mile trail away from the crowds to Glen Alpine Springs.)

Three miles off Highway 50 on Highway 89, take Fallen Leaf Road to the parking lot at the end of the road. Fallen Leaf Road is a beautiful drive. Much of the drive along Fallen Leaf Lake. The road narrows. I must have pulled over a dozen times to allow cars to pass on my way in and again on my way out. This is a busy road and the falls are just off the road making it a magnet for visitors. Keep driving all the way to the end for better parking. I went early and had time at the falls and didn’t have to hunt for a parking spot. It fills up fast when the weather is nice, so go early or late when possible.

The parking area is just over the bridge over Fallen Leaf Creek. At the end of the parking lot is a message board and a green gate. Behind the gate is a lovely two-mile trail away from the crowds to Glen Alpine Springs. Upon your return from the out and back hike check out more of the Glen Alpine Resort where John Muir founded the Sierra Club.

I had a late lunch with Stella, my Australian Shepherd/Queensland Heeler next to the creek before the short walk back to the car. Lily Lake and other trails are nearby to extend your adventure.

According to the Recreation.gov web site: visitors must obtain a Wilderness permit for overnight camping as well as day visits, year-round. A quota system is in place for the 45 overnight destination zones from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30th each year. The system disperses visitors throughout the area, providing an opportunity for solitude and reflection. First-served basis on the day of entry. A recreation fee is assessed during the permitting process. Day trips are free of charge.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (2nd edition Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale students mentored by Tahoe National Forest Trails Manager, Paul Hart

10/26/2022

Paul Hart, Kyle Griffey and Austin Krelo worked side by side for hours and hours on the rough mountainous terrain, creating trails where there were none, enhancing recreational opportunities and promoting economic growth in the region surrounding the historic gold mining towns of the Lost Sierra. The two Southern Illinois University Carbondale students and one graduate had one goal in mind – to make more of the beautiful Tahoe National Forest accessible for people to enjoy via motorized or non-motorized vehicles as well as by hiking or on horseback.

The nearest town, Nevada City, California, lies nearly 100 miles away by road or 60 miles as the crow flies. The Tahoe National Forest encompasses some 800,000 acres of green space, and Hart serves as its trails manager, overseeing the maintenance of some 550 miles of trails and construction of new trails.

It’s a dream career for Hart, who earned his bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation leadership from SIU in 2007 and credits the university with helping pave his pathway to success. And he’s happy to mentor other Salukis as they prepare to launch their careers; after all, Salukis helping Salukis is an SIU tradition, he said.

Incredible experience
Griffey and Krelo said working throughout the summer with Hart was an extraordinary learning experience and that their educational experience at SIU laid an excellent foundation in them for the big tasks they would undertake with Hart.

“If people could only see the look on my face right now,” Griffey, of Tampa, Florida, said, beaming. “I have loved the experience. I’ve learned how to ride a motorcycle, use a chainsaw properly, move rocks with a jackhammer, create a section of trail from start to finish using different tools and work with volunteer partners and other groups and organizers. It’s been amazing. We’ve worked on a number of projects at different stages in the making of the trail and got to see how it all formed and how it all came together and how all the hard work paid off. And I’ve gotten to use a lot of different types of equipment.”

He was drawn to SIU because of its strong outdoor recreation and management program and for aviation, because aviation and flight, along with building and flying model planes, are hobbies. When he began doing basic trail building activities, he discovered that he really enjoyed it. He jumped at the chance to work with Hart when he heard about the opportunity from Tina Colson, senior lecturer in recreation professions.
Krelo, a forest resources management major from Vienna, Illinois, said he also had “definitely gotten a lot of new experiences and got to get my hands dirty” working alongside Hart. That included learning to operate an excavator, a clay compactor and pumps to move water from the river to the trails.

But Griffey and Krelo, who have both earned their dirt bike and chainsaw certifications while laboring in California, said what they gained goes far beyond knowledge of how to operate machinery, ride cycles and consolidate community partnerships. They said they’ve been inspired by Hart’s success and by the opportunities he’s acquainted them with.

SIU paved the way to success
“It’s been really neat having Paul as a boss,” Krelo said. “We’re both from Southern Illinois and seeing him in his element and knowing we came from the same area and that he’s succeeding and is making such a difference out here after all of the hard work he’s put in since graduating from SIU is something else. He’s pretty much shredding it now! And really worked hard with us, pushing us, teaching us, and we appreciate how much he’s helped us and what we’ve learned.”

Hart has been winning awards – professionally and on his motorcycle – since his days at SIU.
Beginning his career in the Florida Everglades, he has also worked at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the Coconino National Forest, the Ocala National Forest and Rend Lake.
Hart, who also holds a master’s degree in natural resources management from Slippery Rock University, won the SIU Recreation Professions Rising Star award in 2017.
He’s built hundreds of miles of new trails and managed 1,000 miles of existing trails. They are a serious business to him for many reasons. One is that he still races motorcycles, now in the desert dirt bike racing series and is currently ranked third in the country in the professional series.

Making trails count
Hart believes trails should be shared by all users – including cyclists, ATV drivers and motorcycle riders as well as hikers, runners and people on horseback.
“There’s so much beauty out there; we want everyone to be able to enjoy it,” Hart said. They work with the land, envisioning trails through the steep, rocky terrain and the thick woods in sustainable, forest-friendly and visionary pathways.

But he’s quick to add that building the trails to provide access is difficult, time-consuming work, and he and the others, including his fellow Salukis, are up to the challenge. He leverages grants to obtain additional funding, including stipends for Krelo and for Griffey, who was there completing a required 600-hour internship for his outdoor recreation and management degree. Indeed, Hart secures some $600,000 in grants annually.

Griffey is still interested in a career in land management but said working with Hart has definitely “opened my eyes to what opportunities are available.”

Krelo, who will graduate in December, said his goal is to find a job where he can work with his hands, ideally with the forest service, and after his time with Hart, he can definitely see himself in a role that involves trails and fire service. He clearly remembers coming into the Tahoe area and thinking, “It’s so beautiful here.”

This isn’t the first time a Saluki has traveled to the Tahoe National Forest for the Paul Hart internship experience. Nathan Alcorn, a 2017 alumnus and outdoor recreation major from Galesburg, Illinois, served his internship there as well. Alcorn still lives in California, working for the Fire Safe Council, and he and Hart remain friends.

“I always have an open invitation for SIU interns to come out and work with me,” Hart said. “SIU had a big impact on me and my life, and I am happy to help other Salukis any way I can.”
Hart gives back in other ways as well. Any time he gets back to Southern Illinois, he takes the opportunity to come to campus to talk to outdoor recreation and management classes, Colson said.
“It is so beneficial to have someone as successful and knowledgeable as Paul, who gives freely of his time to assist our students,” said Colson.

CLICK HERE to see complete article and more photos in the Southern Illinois University Blog:
https://blog.news.siu.edu/20221026-siu-trio-helps-create-trails-to-improve-access-to-tahoe-national-forest/

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