Spanning a vast 2,650 miles from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, the Pacific Crest Trail (or PCT) is well known for its incredible length and difficulty. The trail crosses multiple mountain ranges, traverses through hot deserts, and winds its way up snowy passes — difficulties that would challenge even the most experienced of hikers.
But to one man, this made the journey all the more enticing. Jack Emery, a 71-year-old local physical therapist and outdoors enthusiast, recently took on the challenge and completed hiking the famed Pacific Crest Trail.
"I've been a hiker for a long time, and I kept seeing this trail and said to myself, 'I want to do the whole thing,'" said Emery. "I love adventure and I think adventures makes us better people, and (this hike) was definitely an adventure."

A PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS
Emery has always embraced adventurous activity. He has been hiking, cycling, swimming, backcountry skiing and competing in ultramarathons his entire life, and so the idea of conquering a 2,650 mile hike came almost naturally to him.
Despite his outdoorsy lifestyle, though, Emery was still incredibly focused in his preparation for the hike. He stressed the importance of training on similar terrain to the hike with a weighted backpack, spending time strength training, and properly preparing the tools and nutrition one will need for the long journey.
And by "long journey," Emery meant five and a half months of hiking across mountain ranges, in cold storm, and through scorching deserts.
The 71-year-old started his hike on March 28, 2018, and ended on Sept. 16 of the same year. He left the trail only to restock on food or supplies, or to escape the weather if it was too brutal. For the most part, however, Emery powered north, hiking for an average of 20 miles a day.

ON THE TRAIL
In order to complete this mileage, Emery would wake up before dawn, heading out as the sun rose. He would take a few breaks in the middle of the day to rest and eat, but would continue hiking on until just before dark, when he would stop the day's journey and make camp. Occasionally, though, Emery would hike into the night to find a better campsite or to make up for lost ground if he wasn't able to hike as much during the day.
"Sometimes I hiked in the dark if it was too hot," said Emery. "It happened often in the desert."
Through these five-and-a-half months, Emery saw many incredible sights (including spotting a wolverine) and made even more incredible friends. Hiking is often a solo activity — Emery journeyed many hours alone, listening to audiobooks or podcasts to pass the time.
He remarked that, "there's a great solitude and thrill in being in nature, and I love the quietness of nature." He gave a laugh and continued, "It was actually hard coming back to the noise, congestion and businesses."
Despite this appreciation of solitude, Emery preferred company on these long miles.
"I'm a people person," said Emery. "I hiked with someone when I could. And I ended up hiking with many people from all over the world, and made many friends."
Emery also called and messaged his wife regularly, checking in through his cell phone. Having this array of company made the journey much more fun, joining Emery to others through their common goal. It also, however, provided a crucial element into Jack Emery's journey: the comfort of safety.
Without friends and other hiking company, Emery may not have made it uninjured through one of the scariest moments of the trip.
AN UNEXPECTED EVENT
Up in Washington at the time, Emery was caught unprepared by a storm of fierce winds, rain and extreme cold.
"I was not dressed appropriately when the wind came," said Emery. "I was on a ridge, the trail running along its top without any shelter, and I got second stage hypothermia — uncontrollable shivering."
Frighteningly aware of how dangerous hypothermia is, Emery began running for a few miles to try to keep warm and eventually ran into some other hikers. The band made camp, where the other hikers made Emery hot water and lent him dry clothes, and he quickly recovered. This scare was just a reminder of how difficult and deadly these adventures can be, both physically and mentally.
But despite also experiencing a low point midway through the trip, when Emery almost gave up with such a long journey still ahead, the hiker remained incredibly positive through most of those five-and-a-half months, intensely appreciative of the beauty of nature.
He made a promise to himself to never get off the trail on a bad day — and there seemed to be hardly any bad days at all. This, Emery made sure to note, is the reason he loves outdoor sports so much.
It is also because of this that Emery encourages people to get out and explore the great outdoors as much as possible, be it by hiking, cycling, backpacking or simply going out for a walk.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OUT
"Even in (Nevada County), we have a plethora of hiking," said Emery, referencing the hundreds of miles of trails spread throughout Nevada County.
With such an array of options for adventure, it is hard not to find a trail at one's own level, and Emery stresses that the trail certainly doesn't have to be difficult. You could even hike in your own community and gain many of the things Emery did during his journey — including one important change in mindset during these experiences.
"One of the most prominent things is that you begin to make self evaluations about yourself and about what's important," Emery said. "When you are out in the beauty of nature and you see this beautiful world, you realize it all didn't happen by accident."
And at the end of the day, that is the most beautiful part of our wilderness — its ability to fill us with an intense love for the beautiful world around us.
To get more information on hiking, visit http://www.pcta.org or http://www.bylt.org/trails for a map of all Nevada County trails, or Mother Lode Trails www.motherlodetrails.org/federal-state-county-districts-parks--trails.html-state-county-districts-parks--trails.html for trail information in our extended area.
CLICK HERE to read the original article and photos by Mina Ricci who contributes to The Union.

Loch Leven Trail is a moderate to difficult hike with over 1,000-foot elevation change over 3.5-mile trail to the first lake in the Loch Leven chain of lakes in the Tahoe National forest. (photo credit: Mary West)
To get there take Interstate 80 east to the Rainbow Bend exit. Take a left onto Hampshire Rocks Road. Drive up just past the Tahoe National Forest fire station to the trailhead parking lot. An information board and restrooms are located here. The sign marking the trailhead is directly across the street.
The trail begins with granite boulders. Under foot are rocks, roots, ruts, sand, decomposed granite and decomposed tree. Around you are boulders, colossal pine trees, views of surrounding mountain peaks, and the lakes.
One very prominent peak is Red Mountain A.K.A. Signal Peak. The first landmark is the railroad tracks just over a mile in. Other highlights of the trail include the wildflowers in spring. You skirt a pond that is more of a bog by September. A wooden bridge leads into a cool shaded area briefly before the climb continues. Level areas give you a chance to catch your breath before forging on. A few of the volunteer trails can lead you astray. Stay on track.
Loch Leven Trail is a moderately trafficked trail and dogs are welcome. Take plenty of water. Plenty of sun exposure on this trail so you may want a hat, glasses and sunblock. Once you reach the lake, find your spot to settle in and get your shoes off, a snack will be in order.
If you have time and the inclination, more lakes await you as well as Cherry Peak trail is three miles out from the trailhead.
Another great thing about Loch Leven Trail is that the return trip to the trail head is mostly downhill.
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Mary West is the author of the book “Day Hiker a Trail Guide.” A collection of columns from the Auburn Journal where she shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite day hikes in Placer, Nevada, El Dorado and Yuba counties. West is the recipient of a Outdoor Writers of California Craft Award in 2018. Learn more about local trails by following Mary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Auburn Journal.

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The project is expected to cost $2.241 million and $1.984 million will come from the SACOG Regional Funding program.
The city plans to connect the existing Sutter Bike Path to a new park to be built along Harter Parkway and the grant would also fund a shared path for bikes and pedestrians along Harter Parkway between Butte House Road and State Route 20, according to a press release.
The grant would come from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments Regional Funding program and the determination on whether Yuba City will receive the funds will be made on Dec. 20, said Ben Moody, deputy public works director for Yuba City, in an email.
“I appreciate the ongoing work of city staff and SACOG for securing necessary funding to enhance our community assets,” said John Buckland, council member and SACOG director, in the press release.
To obtain the funding, Yuba City will need to coordinate the design and construction of the project and then the city will receive the funding through reimbursement after completion, Moody said.
“The funding is slated for construction costs including construction management to build the project,” he said. 
The scope of work includes building the Class 1 bike path and sidewalks along the west side of Harter Parkway from Butte House Road to Highway 20 and construct the bike path connection from Harter Parkway west to Hooper Road, Moody said. Which will be about 1.3 miles of bike and pedestrian path and sidewalk.
The project is expected to cost $2.241 million and $1.984 million will come from the SACOG Regional Funding program.
Moody said closing the gap in the path would allow residents living in homes west of Harter Parkway to easily access the nearby shopping center and provide a safe path of travel for students at nearby schools. 
“In addition, constructing the project will enhance the (city’s) community facilities with the Sutter Bike Path by extending it to a new parking area at the park and providing a direct route to the Sutter Buttes,” he said.
Community, health and economic benefits are all important reasons for having biking and hiking paths in the area, Moody said. 
“Biking and walking paths provide the city’s residents with safe routes to use for both recreation and commuting,” he said. “Since trails are protected from vehicle traffic, they provide a safe transportation alternative for new bike riders, parents with children or commuters who might otherwise feel unsafe walking/biking.”
The paths also promote an active lifestyle and people who come to the area to utilize the paths while spending money along with increased property values are some economic benefits.
The Harter Park is not yet built and is being funded with a combination of city funds ($800,000) and a California State Parks Grant and Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant ($800,000), Moody said. The expected construction cost is around $1.6 million.
Moody said staff is working with a goal to have the bike path project complete in coordination with the completion of the park in the summer of 2020.
“I have no doubt this project will be a great addition to our community,” said Preet Didbal, Yuba City mayor, in the press release.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Appeal Democrat newspaper.

​After this year’s earlier shift in visitor services from the Pacific Ranger Station to the Placerville Ranger Station, the Eldorado National Forest will undergo more major changes in the coming year, as it looks to reorganize its four districts — and the staff working within them — into three.
Eldorado National Forest spokeswoman Jennifer Chapman said the change is at least a year out. While much of the shift will be administrative, Chapman expects it will impact the public the most in terms of visitor services, which the national forest anticipates will go from three service centers along the Highway 50 corridor to two.
She also said new maps will be redrawn once district boundaries are configured, based on geographical features and land ownership near the forest. United States Forest Service visitor guides will be updated and reprinted when the reorganization is complete, and Chapman said her office intends to ramp up communication around Memorial Day weekend, when many people start heading outdoors.
The Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts will be most affected by the boundary shift, Chapman said, since they both contain the Highway 50 corridor.
Before the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 30, Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree said consolidating the forest’s four regions — Placerville, Pacific, Amador and Georgetown — would mean having fewer high-level employees.
The reorganization may involve moving staff to the Institute of Forest Genetics, a USFS property off Carson Road that Crabtree said is relatively vacant.
“My job is to put pressure on every position and not fill any of them that we don’t have to have,” Crabtree said.
Chapman said the reorganization wouldn’t involve cutting staff already employed, but eliminating positions that are vacant a. The agency lacks adequate funding to fill about 50 non-fire vacancies, she said. Fewer positions means fewer vehicles the USFS needs to keep running. It may also help with maintenance costs since fewer buildings will be occupied.
“If you have 50 percent of this building and 50 percent of that building occupied, you put everyone in the same building and save (on those costs),” Chapman said.
Money saved could then be redirected to forest management, a fact sheet about the reorganization said.
Chapman didn’t have hard numbers of how much money the consolidation will save the Eldorado National Forest in the long run, since reorganization is in early stages. But the forest is hoping to do more with less, bringing on other agencies to collaborate on projects like fuel reduction, restoration and timber production.
“The key thing is there are a number of activities shifting to partnerships and in some instances, shifting to the private sector,” Chapman said. She pointed to work in the forest being completed through grants from Cal Fire and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Other forest projects are being managed through groups like the Mule Deer Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, versus through USFS staff.
Chapman said the conversation of consolidating forest staff and districts has occurred under previous forest supervisors, mostly due to activities along the Highway 50 corridor. But now that vacancies remain unfilled, Chapman said the reorganization is more compelling.
“It’s starting to make sense,” she said.