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Lake Tahoe’s popular trails get $45,000 for maintenance

7/21/2022

 
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — With higher usage in the Tahoe region, many of the existing trails are being loved to death. The Tahoe Fund is hoping to help solve this issue through its Tahoe Trails Endowment.  The nonprofit recently awarded $45,000 in grants from the endowment to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association to support trail work on popular trails in the Tahoe Basin.

“The Tahoe Trails Endowment was created because our board and our donors recognize the importance of taking care of the trails we already have,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “These grants are great examples of the power of the endowment to generate annual funding support for much needed trail work across the region.”

The TRTA’s Trail Segment Improvement Program was launched this summer to provide preventative maintenance on the 200-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Every year, the program will include work to repair trail tread, clear downed trees and drainages, fix erosion damage, and decommission braided trails on three segments.

This summer, nearly 70 miles of trail along the busiest TRT segments in the Tahoe region will be improved: Big Meadow to Echo Lakes (18.3 miles), Barker Pass to Tahoe City (16.4 miles), and Echo Lakes to Barker Pass (32.5 miles). The work will be completed by volunteer and conservation corp crews.

“This iconic trail gains in popularity every year, and as more people use it, it requires more continuous care,” said Morgan Steele, executive director of the TRTA. “We are grateful for the Tahoe Fund’s Tahoe Trails Endowment to help us stay on top of the maintenance needs of the Tahoe Rim Trail.” 


TAMBA, the first recipient of a Tahoe Trails Endowment grant in 2021, will continue its trail crew maintenance program this year with support from the Tahoe Fund. A five person paid trail crew will work on a variety of trails around the lake throughout the summer and fall seasons, managing unforeseen needs like removing downed trees, clearing rock fall and addressing erosion issues as they arise. TAMBA is on track to perform maintenance on over 100 miles of trail in 2022.  

“The funding the Tahoe Fund provided last year for maintenance needs was instrumental to us quickly repairing trails after the Caldor Fire that people use often,” said Patrick Parsel, trails director for TAMBA. “Unforeseen challenges like downed trees and erosion issues created by storms can often pose the greatest threats to user safety and the environment, so they’re important to resolve quickly. This funding will allow us to do that.”

Established as a way to address the long-term needs of Tahoe’s growing trail network, the Tahoe Fund hopes to grow the Tahoe Trails Endowment to $3 million to fund annual trail maintenance throughout the region. Currently, the endowment is at just over $1 million.

While building the endowment, the Tahoe Fund also continues its work with partners at the TRTA, TAMBA, Truckee Trails Foundation and public land managers to develop a Trails Master Plan that outlines priority ranking for trail work and allows everyone to think and plan long-term.

The endowment was launched in late 2020 with a generous $100,000 donation from Chris and Viktoria McNamara. For more information, visit http://www.tahoefund.org.

CLICK HERE to see the original release in the Tahoe Daily Tribune.


Kudos to Grass Valley for acquiring the future Wolf Creek Trail trailhead

7/8/2022

 
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With little to no fanfare, wait, check that. With virtually zero fanfare the City of Grass Valley just took a giant leap forward in regard to the Wolf Creek Trail and various connecting trails. Consent Agenda item 12 at the June 28 council meeting authorized the purchase of the corner lot on Idaho- Maryland Road and Sutton Way, along with an adjacent parcel directly across Idaho-Maryland. On top of the earlier purchase of 131 Colfax Avenue, this action loudly demonstrates the City’s commitment to the trail system. Senior staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council should all be applauded for their efforts. In fact it should be a standing ovation!

For over two decades the corner lot has been identified as the ideal location for a principal trailhead of the Wolf Creek Trail. It was prominently mentioned in the 2006 Conceptual Plan. This new “hub” will soon need a new name besides “the corner lot.” From there the Wolf Creek Trail will connect to the system of trails planned for the Loma Rica development now under construction. Further connections can also be made across Brunswick Road to the Winds Aloft project – currently in planning stages by the Bear Yuba Land Trust.

In addition to all this, work has been continuing behind the scenes on a preferred alignment to connect the corner lot to the existing Wolf Creek Trail. S2S Environmental Resource Management has nearly completed a thorough review of design, economic, and physical constraints with Caltrans and city staff. In the near future Project Manager Derek Hitchcock will present these preliminary findings to the city council.

A well deserved thank you to all who have helped make this possible.
​

 - Bruce Herring is a member of the Steering Committee at the Wolf Creek Community Alliance, and sits on the Trails Planning Committee at the Bear Yuba Land Trust

CLICK HERE to see the original article in Yubanet.net.

$50,000 campaign launched for Meeks Ridge Trail for hikers and bikers

7/2/2022

 
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TAHOE CITY, Calif. — The Tahoe Fund and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) on Tuesday announced a $50,000 matching campaign to build the Meeks Ridge Trail. This new 4.5 mile multi-use trail will provide a brand-new 10-plus mile loop option for hikers and mountain bikers on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

“Right now, people on the West Shore have to drive to trailheads to get in a longer hike or bike ride,” said Verdi DiSesa, vice chair of the Tahoe Fund Board. “This new trail will create access to a world-class loop with unbelievable views, all without requiring anyone to get in their cars. And now donations will be doubled to help make it happen.” 

The new trail, which will begin just north of Meeks Bay Resort, starts near lake level and then climbs to the top of Meeks Ridge where it will connect with the Lost Lake Trail. From there, users will be able to pick up the General Creek Trail as part of the 10-12 mile loop. The loop will end by the California State Route 89 bike path that connects directly to Sugar Pine Point and Meeks Bay Campground. 

While volunteers are working diligently to clear and build the lower half of the trail, a paid crew will be key to completing the final 2-3 miles at higher elevations. The upper section is more rugged and requires a professional team to tackle the difficult terrain. The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund’s $50,000 matching campaign will help cover the cost of the paid crew, allowing them to be camped in the higher elevations for eight days at a time to work on the trail more efficiently.

“Our team is excited to bring this dynamic new option to the West Shore,” said Patrick Parsel, trails director at Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association. “The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund matching campaign will make it possible for us to get this work done and create an incredible new trail outside of Desolation Wilderness for hikers and bikers to enjoy.”

With panoramic views of Meeks Bay, Meeks Meadow and Desolation Wilderness, naming rights at four vista points along the trail are available for a $10,000 donation each. The vista points, identified on the map, will feature a bench and custom plaque with the name of the donor.

To contribute to the matching campaign or secure a vista point, visit http://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/meeks-ridge-trail/ or email [email protected]. 


CLICK HERE to see original press release in the Sierra Sun newspaper.


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