Originally called Mother Lode Mountain Biking, leaders are changing the organization’s name and become a chapter of IMBA. (There is a concern that the bike group's new name is almost identical to this 10 year old 501c3 nonprofit, Mother Lode Trails, and that they have taken over the Mother Lode Trails Instagram account.) They are planning to develop trails on the West Slope of the EDC along the Hwy 50 and 49 corridors, with a particular interest in Crronan Ranch. 
(Mountain Democrat  photo by Kevin Christensen)

Whether it be boating down the South Fork of the American River or hiking in the scenic Sierra, El Dorado County is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. A trailblazing organization, the newly formed Mother Lode Trail Stewardship, is seeking to create, maintain and enhance sustainable recreational trails in the county for even more recreational opportunities — and as a result assist the local economy.
To see the original article and photos in the Mountain Democrat newspaper, CLICK HERE.

Headed by Shingle Springs resident Ethan Koenigs, MLTS’ mission is to build trails “inclusively” for mountain bikers, hikers, runners and horseback riders with an emphasis on connecting trails to community centers.
The group has the notion that trail users will take advantage of local shops, eateries and drinking establishments in the county.
“Having a robust recreational trail system connected to the community I believe will benefit local businesses,” said Koenigs, an environmental project manager with SMUD. “Trail users will inevitably spend money at small businesses in the county if they can gain access to them beyond driving.”
Originally called Mother Lode Mountain Biking, Koenigs, also an avid hiker, and other MLTS leaders decided to change the organization’s name once they realized a more inclusive approach could gain broader support locally. The trail advocates wish to create a community connected by paths that has features “all users can enjoy.”
“A ‘bigger tent’ of members means more benefit to the community and will increase our ability to raise funds,” Koenigs said.
Another MLTS goal, becoming a chapter of the International Mountain Bike Association, will allow it to take advantage of a larger pool of resources for education, promotions and membership acquisition.
The region currently has two other mountain bike advocacy groups, Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association and Folsom-Auburn Trail Riding Action Coalition, that have geographic overlap. MLTS’ focus will be on the West Slope of EDC along the Highway 50 and 49 corridors.
One new trail planned in the area will be a 12 to 15 mile mountain bike trail between Ice House and Union Valley reservoirs — along with other recreational facilities — as part of SMUD’s new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license agreement to operate its hydroelectric facility in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area of the Eldorado National Forest.
“The new trail in the Ice House Reservoir area will be a major new recreation feature for mountain bikers looking for something new that is built and designed professionally,” Koenigs explained.
Koenigs said MLTS also has particular interest in developing the Cronan Ranch area and connecting Coloma and Lotus.
“That area is already a mecca because of the amazing whitewater rafting,” Koenigs said. “Why not build off of that and have amazing trails that people can use year-round and help some of the businesses that suffer in the whitewater off-season.”
MLTS members also see potential for new trails in the Sly Park area and El Dorado Hills where Koenigs said there is a “fair amount of open space with a large population hungry for new trail experiences.”
Other areas on the group’s radar include the new Marble Valley development south of Highway 50 near Cameron Park and improving a “terrific network of trails” on the Georgetown Divide.
“The MLTS is very interested in helping the design of the Marble Valley area because there’s potential for connection to the town center in El Dorado Hills,” Koenigs said. “The El Dorado Trail is already serving as a connector and it could be further developed to support a diversity of uses and eventually a network of new trails could connect to that.”
A “turning point” came for Koenigs on undertaking the trailblazing effort during a visit to Bentonville, Ark., in 2019 where he witnessed first-hand how much the city invested in trails.
“The whole community in Bentonville got on board with the concept after they built a few really cool trails that connected right into their downtown area,” said Koenigs. “As a result they saw the tremendous benefit to local businesses, overall community health and more. Word spread quickly and it snow-balled into the city reaping huge economic rewards as it is now a world-class destination for mountain bikers.”
Koenigs said MLTS will seek out grants and raise funds through events and local business sponsors, but the “only way this works” is if they get buy-in from the trail-using public with a willingness to serve and volunteer their time to help.
MLTS is holding its next meeting Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Solid Ground Brewery in Diamond Springs.
For more information on Mother Lode Trail Stewardship visit motherlodestewardship.org or call (530) 208-9947.
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To see the original article and photos in the Mountain Democrat newspaper, CLICK HERE.

“I wanted to take a year between high school and college to travel, meet new people and learn new skills,” said Evan Orjala, 18, a member of AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) from Northfield, Minnesota. “What I found was that I am not only learning hands on skills such as building trails and removing invasive species, but also interpersonal skills such as how to live with a group.”

Each year, AmeriCorps NCCC engages teams of members in community projects across the United States. Service projects, which typically last from six to eight weeks, address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship, conservation, and urban and rural development. In return, team members get to travel, gain hands-on work experience and professional skills training, and earn money towards their education.

Bear Yuba Land Trust and Woolman at Sierra Friends Center recently hosted an Americorps NCCC team made up of twelve young adults, ages 18 to 23, some from as far as Kansas, Massachusetts and Alabama and many who had never been to the West Coast before. Over the course of eight weeks, the team worked with BYLT’s Trails Coordinator Bill Haire and Stewardship Manager Elias Grant on a variety of local projects including forest thinning, fuels reduction and invasive plant removal on the Adam Ryan Preserve near Alta Sierra, along with breaking ground on new trails such as the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail in Nevada City.
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“I always enjoy working with the NCCC teams. They are very good young people, with a lot of potential,” said Haire. “This year, they, along with community volunteers, were instrumental in the clearing and removal of large amounts of brush – including tree size Manzanitas – from the preliminary line for the new Sugarloaf Mountain Trail. Without their help, this could have taken us much longer.”

Sugarloaf Mountain is the iconic landmark just north of Nevada City. The goal of the new trail is to connect downtown Nevada City to the top of the mountain, which offers spectacular 360 degree views of downtown Nevada City, Coastal Mountains, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and beyond. The trail will also connect to Hirschman Trail and Tobiassen Park via a recently established county trail that runs west from North Bloomfield Road to the Eric Rood Administrative Center.

“We are excited about the construction of the Sugarloaf Trail. Trails within walking distance of our residents encourages healthy activity and also provide a no-cost recreational facility for the entire community,” said Dawn Zydonis, Parks and Recreation Manager, City of Nevada City. “The views along the proposed route are amazing and we believe the community is going to thoroughly enjoy hiking and biking this trail when completed.”

The long term impact of past NCCC teams can still be seen and felt with projects such as the eradication of Scotch Broom at the Adam Ryan Preserve. After nearly five years of help from NCCC and community volunteers, the preserve is almost entirely free of the invasive plant, helping to improve fire safety, among other things.

“NCCC teams are instrumental in helping BYLT complete important trail and restoration projects throughout the community. Equally important for the team members is the service experience gained as well as seeing the impact of their work,” explained Grant.

At the end of their eight week assignment many of the NCCC team members returned to their hometowns or went to work on other projects around the United States. Many expressed their pride in the work they were able to accomplish during their stay in Nevada County.

“The work we are doing will make it easier for people to walk the trails,” said De’ Janae Martin, 22, of Houston, TX. “Walking the trails relieves the stress of everyday life and creates a happy and peaceful community.”

If you are interested in volunteering with the BYLT Trails Stewardship Team, go to http://www.bylt.org to sign up for an upcoming work day or email Felicia Dunn, Community Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected].

To see the complete article and more photos in The Union, CLICK HERE.

BLM Press Release SACRAMENTO, Calif. – New State Director Karen Mouritsen has joined Bureau of Land Management in California. Mouritsen started in her new position on Jan. 21.
“I am excited to join the California team and look forward to meeting with employees, partners and stakeholders,” Mouritsen said. “Partnerships are pivotal to managing these beautiful landscapes and natural resources that support generations of families and local communities, providing important benefits to Californians and the nation.”

Mouritsen, a 27-year career public servant, comes to the California post after serving the past three years as the State Director for the BLM Eastern States Office, which manages BLM lands and minerals in 22 states along and east of the Mississippi River. In addition, she served as a Regional Facilitator for the Department of Interior reorganization effort.
Over the course of her career, Mouritsen has spent time in Washington, D.C., serving in key leadership roles. These include senior level positions as the BLM Deputy Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management, BLM Budget Officer and BLM liaison to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management where she advised and briefed senior leadership on renewable energy, wildlife, wilderness, recreation, land use planning, and interagency cooperation with military partners. Mouritsen also worked as Acting State Director in Alaska and New Mexico, as well as Acting Associate District Manager in the BLM Southern Nevada District Office in Las Vegas and the Medford District Office in Oregon.
Prior to working for the BLM, Mouritsen served as an attorney advisor in the Interior Department's Office of the Solicitor for 10 years beginning in 1992. There she provided legal expertise on BLM issues, including endangered species, land use planning and forestry matters. Mouritsen—a native of Dallas—received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering in 1983. She earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Texas at Austin Law School in 1992 before launching her Federal career.
As BLM California State Director, Mouritsen will lead a team that administers 15 million acres of public lands and 42 million acres of minerals and energy resources in California, as well as 1.6 million surface acres in northwestern Nevada. BLM public lands extend across coastal areas, rangelands, forests, high mountains and deserts making California one of the most diverse states in the nation.
Mouritsen takes over from Acting State Director Joe Stout, who will return to his post as BLM-California Associate State Director, where he will work closely with Mouritsen to ensure continuity of leadership.

CLICK HERE to see the original BLM Press Release.

Clementine Trail is one of, if not the, most popular trails in the Auburn State Recreation Area.
Starting at gate No. 139, the journey from the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River takes you along the warmer North Fork back to Clementine Dam. The $10 state park day-use fee is in effect.
Photo credit: Mary West. Mountain bikes are allowed on part of the trail.

Along the way, old abutments from bridges, washed out years ago, still stand hugging the hillside. Above you is the Foresthill Bridge. The tallest bridge in California at 730 feet. The path starts low and wide then narrows with small climbs, always alongside the river. As much fun as this trail is in summer, I find it hot with many exposed areas. I wait till fall with fewer visitors and cooler temperatures.
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Each year hikers manage to get lost here. I honestly don’t know how this happens; a poor sense of direction, dehydration, perhaps some other distraction. With the hillside on your right and the river on your left, on an out-and-back trail, one would think it manageable, but each summer the call goes out, rangers open the gates and drive in, even the CHP helicopter has been called to locate lost hikers. Almost like a Bermuda Triangle.

In under a mile you get to a wide spot on the river called Clark’s Hole. This is a very popular swimming hole in summer. Across the river is a great rock for sunbathing. Jumping from rocks is frowned upon by State Parks so I won’t mention how great a rock this is for that purpose. If Clark’s Hole is crowded, which it often is in the heat, just around the corner is Monkey Rock. This is a sweet spot with a jumble of rocks that make for great seating right at the water’s edge. This part of the trail is multi-use so horses, mountain bikes and dogs are allowed.

Continuing generally uphill, take note of the hillside on your right. In fall, you find water trickling, with ferns sprouting right out of the rock and thick moss enjoying this shaded side of the hill. At about the 1.9-mile mark, you find gate 140. You may have caught a sneak peek at the overflow of the dam through the trees by now, so another three-tenths of mile isn’t much. Go to the left and follow the paved road. Watch out for cars heading for the lake. Just before the dam you will see a trail marker off the road on the river side. Hike this and it leads you to a viewing area of the dam. State Parks wants you to stay off the dam itself but below the dam you can get a nice mist spray on a hot day, take pictures of the rainbow that usually forms there. After a good rain this area gets a little foamy and reminds me of the ocean. This is your half-way point. It is mostly downhill from here. There is no day use at the lake and swimming is not allowed on the lake. It is primarily a boat launch. Once you have placed yourself here on Facebook and uploaded your pictures to Instagram, had a snack and rested, it’s time for the return trip. I measure this trail at 3.8 miles round-trip. If you are prepared with plenty of water, good shoes and good company, you should be fine. Oh, and stay on the trail. It reduces the risk of getting lost.
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Mary West is the author of the book series "Day Hiker: Gold Country Trail Guide." The books are a collection of Day Hiker columns (available on Amazon). 

CLICK HERE to see the original article and Mary's photos in Gold Country Media.