SUMMER 2022 EDITION
f o l i A Tra
Hidden Treasures x
Tenysa Santiago
VIEW FROM THE RIM
Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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uperlatives are pretty standard when referring to the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are bestowed on everything from the grandeur of the largest alpine lake in North America to the pine trees with the biggest cones. When we talk about the Tahoe Rim Trail, we use phrases like “world-class” and “once in a lifetime experience.” In this edition of the Trail Blazer, we are leaning into all of those bold adjectives to describe and celebrate the incredible places, critters, and experiences that make the Tahoe Rim Trail special—the gems of the trail. With a 200-mile trail system encircling the jewel of the Sierra, by Morgan Steel there is no shortage of natural gems. Often these overshadow Executive Director the trail’s more sapient treasures - our volunteers, members, donors, board, and participants. The trail was created under the aegis of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and its cadre of volunteers and members dedicated to providing the public with access to this magnificent place. The TRTA’s people and partners have spearheaded programs to improve trail conditions, provided funding imperative to initiating our work, launched new programs to get the public outdoors, and analyzed and implemented projects to protect the trail’s jewels for future generations. No celebration of the gems of the trail would be complete without acknowledging the incredible commitment the trail receives from our TRTA community. This trail season I hope you find inspiration in our 2022 Trail Blazer to hunt for the trail’s riches and continue to so graciously provide your time and treasure to the trail. As the organization continues to expand our work to maintain and enhance the trail, address the challenges facing recreation in the Tahoe Basin, and grow the next generation of trail stewards, we need you! For even more inspiration, join us at our 40th-anniversary celebration on May 28th in Stateline, NV, as we honor 40 years of incredible places and people.
ACTIVE CREW LEADERS Aaron Daniel Amanda Moreland Bill Doherty Bill Hager Bruce Levy Bryan Wright Charlene Summers Cheryl Bailey Chris Strohm Chuck McVicker Clay Grubb Dave Schnake Dave Stevenson Don Bailey Donna Maher Doug Johnson Ed Smith Jackie Doherty Jim Large Jamie Nowitzky
Jim Backhus Jim Crompton John Clausen John Kennedy John McCall John McKenna Ken Breitag Larry Davis Mark Wynne-Willson Michael Kaiser Mike Kuckenmeister Patrick Pevey Paul Sinnott Phil Brisack Randy Collins Bob Anderson Sam Limerick Shannon Foley Sue Hughes
A C T I V E T R TA G U I D E S Alan Catron Anna Lijphart Barb Todd Carl Woods Chelsea Borowski Colleen Gervasi Debbie Matuk Ellen Fletcher Ellen Goldsmith George Olesinski George Prince Ita Abarzua-Kostan Jamie Nowitzky Jan Nishikawa Jennifer Coon Jim McNamara Jim Mrazek Jo Ann Cobb John Ferguson John Regin
Joseph Salonga Karin Regnstrom Kate Huckbody Kristen Hackbarth LaTrenda Easton Laurie Buffington Lizzie Flower Loretta Low Matthew Taylor Maureen Welsh Michael Kreisel Michelle Beaupied Raelynn Noel Scott Liske Sharell Katibah Steve Finlay Tom Fullerton Tricia Tong
“Thanks for maintaining such an amazing trail!” —Jennifer Keyser #2781 2
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The Trail Blazer is the official publication of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to maintain and enhance the Tahoe Rim Trail system, practice and inspire stewardship, and preserve access to the natural beauty of the Lake Tahoe Region.
STAFF Executive Director Morgan Steel Deputy Director Lindsey Schultz Development Director Veronica Palmer Director of Operations Tommy Rosenbluth Finance and Admin Manager Judi Van Fleet Trail Operations Manager Kristine Koran Youth Programs Manager Julia Kaseta Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kate Gallaugher Trail Operations Coordinator Michelle Edmonson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Tricia Tong Vice President Justin Knowles Treasurer Dave Schnake Secretary Michelle Glickert VP of Trail Ops Bryan Wright VP of Trail Use Sharell Katibah Board Members Shannon Foley, Marissa Fox, Tom Fullerton, John McCall, Theresa Papandrea, & Larry Stites
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association works in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and Nevada Division of State Parks
@tahoerimtrail
@tahoerimtrailassociation
CONTENTS View from the Rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 TRAIL OPERATIONS The Dirt on Trail Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 VOLUNTEERING Volunteer Spotlight: The TRTA Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2022 TRTA Volunteer Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 THE COMPASS Don’t Fear Your Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 FEATURE A Trail of Hidden Treasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Skip a Rock, Make a Ripple: Leave No Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 DEDICATIONS Views We Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 NEWS Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 165 Mile Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 TRTA 40 (+1) Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Staff Gem
Pikas are my absolute favorite animal to see on the Tahoe Rim Trail. I find them and their cute chirping noises adorable. They can be very territorial so they will chirp when you are close to their granite dens. They also live in colonies and do not hibernate during the winters. These small mammals are rare and live in high-altitude environments often above the treeline. —Kristine Koran
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The Dirt On Trail Operations BY KRISTINE KORAN
E
ach spring, we rev our chainsaws and dust off our boots, excited to get back out on trails together again. There is no better feeling than the dirt and sweat left behind after a rewarding workday leaving the trail better and safer than we found it. We are digging into another trail work season with essential projects all around the lake designed to make the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) system more sustainable, accessible, safe, and enjoyable. This summer we hope to engage new volunteers and strengthen the skills of our veteran volunteers through a multitude of training and work camp opportunities. Our projects include building new trail, improving numerous vista and ridgeline trails, and installing critical trail system infrastructure such as new kiosks. Early in the trail season, we will dig into improving the TRT connector trail to Castle Rock, a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and climbers that boasts stunning views of Lake Tahoe. This spot is also a delicate
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TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
habitat for nesting Peregrine Falcons. We will be installing permanent wayfinding and educational signage to help the public stay on the correct trail and learn more about Peregrine Falcons. We will also decommission social trails and install permanent fencing to protect the Falcons’ nesting grounds. We are excited to work with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Scouts of America, and the Tahoe Climbing Coalition to improve the trail and this critical habitat. Another central focus this summer is trail rehabilitation work in the Caldor Fire scar. Last fall, the TRTA worked with Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association and the Forest Service to rehabilitate and reopen neighborhood trails at lake level impacted by the fire. As more of the forest reopened, we were able to move up to the TRT where the Caldor Fire burned 2.5 miles near Echo Summit. This summer our crews will continue their work to reestablish trails, repair drainages, and clear fallen trees from the trail corridor at Echo Summit. There is still
Veteran volunteer Patrick Pevey chawinsawing a large tree to remove it from the trail. plenty of work to increase safety for trail users in the hazardous burn scar. Multiple workday opportunities will be available for those interested in contributing to trail rehabilitation work, whether dozer line repairs, structure repairs, or revegetating the landscape. The TRTA will also implement projects to improve critical trail system infrastructure this trail season. We’re focusing on signage improvements and parking. This will include constructing new trailhead kiosks at Mt. Rose and Tahoe Meadows and replacing panels at Kingsbury North, Kingsbury South, Spooner North, and Spooner South trailheads. The goal is to provide better wayfinding and information in Spanish at these major trailheads and access points. We are building a new trail to connect the TRT and coaligned Pacific Crest Trail to the Echo Sno-Park to provide better parking options. Currently, users parking at the Echo Sno-Park have to walk on the road to access the trail, which has discouraged users from utilizing the parking area and increases traffic at the nearby Echo Lakes trailhead. The new trail will allow for a seamless and stress-free parking and trail access experience. Also of note this coming trail season, are projects that were deferred due to the challenging wildfire season we experienced in 2021. This includes finishing the Painted Rock Reroute between Watson Lake and Brockway Summit. This section of trail has incredible views of Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows. Workdays at Painted Rock were severely impacted by smoke and fire closures last field season, and we are ready to finish what we started in 2021.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: OUR B OARD GEMS
T
he past few years have presented massive challenges globally and around the TRT. Our organization has navigated pandemics, forest health issues, staffing changes, droughts, and wildfires, to name just a few. Directing our response and ensuring the best for the TRT is our dedicated Board of Directors. April 1st was the beginning of the TRTA’s fiscal year and a major transition time for our Board of Directors. In this edition of the Trail Blazer, we’d like to spotlight our incredible board members and share our appreciation for their contributions. We extend our gratitude to two long-time board members who have retired from their board service as of March 31st: Carl Woods and Ro Martinoni. Both Carl and Ro served for multiple terms on the TRTA board and as the Vice President of Trail Use. They have overseen a significant expansion in our guided hiking programs and youth offerings and helped the organization support and train our fantastic volunteer guides. Being the chief is hard, and we are so thankful that Tom Fullerton took on the task and led our Board of Directors as Board President for our 2021–2022 fiscal year. He has handed over the reins to Tricia Tong, who will fill the role for 2022–23 and is supported by our Executive Team of Dave Schnake , Justin Knowles, and Michelle Glickert. Finally, we have a new slate of VPs leading our standing committees at the organization. Big thanks go out to Shannon Foley and Carl Woods for their longstanding leadership in these roles. We are excited to expand these programs further under the leadership of Sharell Katibah in Trail Use and Bryan Wright in Trail Operations. Justin Knowles is breathing new life into our Sustainable Funding Committee through his leadership as the committee chair. We are excited to implement all of the fantastic ideas these committees are dreaming up. Our incredible Board Directors round out our leadership team. Marissa Fox, Tom Fullerton, John McCall, Theresa Papandrea, and Larry Stites provide a talented skillset in nonprofit, financial, legal, and programmatic management that is put into action to lead the TRTA to fulfill its mission.
T R TA VO LU N T E E R PA R T Y 2 0 2 2 ! W E E K E N D WA R R I O R C A M P S We recognize a need for volunteer opportunities for those who work on weekdays and want to give back in a fun and rewarding way on the weekend. If you are looking to camp out and work on the TRT this summer, our Weekend Warrior Work Camps are the perfect escape to get your fill of nature and adventure while giving back to the trail system! Join us for our first ever Weekend Warrior Camps and help us start a new tradition. No previous camping experience is necessary. Weekend Warrior camps will be located near worksites and vehicles and we provide all of your meals and plenty of fun. Information and registration is availalbe at tahoerimtrail.org/ volunteer/multiday-trailwork-camps/ Weekend Warrior Camp Painted Rock August 19–21, 2022 Weekend Warrior Camp Marlette Peak August 26–28, 2022
Every year we recognize our dedicated volunteers by throwing them a party. Mark your calendar and join us at Camp Galilee on Sunday, October 9th from 1 PM – 4 PM for our annual volunteer appreciation celebration.
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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THE COMPASS
Don’t Fear Your Gear
Regular maintenance is a part of risk management BY LINDSEY SCHULTZ
F
rom a very early age, we learn the truth that the more we take care of our toys, the longer we can play with them. These lessons are still applicable as an adult, except now our toys are even more expensive. Taking care of them should be a part of every outdoor enthusiast’s pre-trip preparations. Our outdoor equipment’s proper performance makes using it more enjoyable and safer. Below is a quick guide for basic gear maintenance and storage to ensure your toys maintain their top-notch performance and assist you in reaching your adventure goals rather than compromising them. Apply these rules (as applicable), and your gear will be set for your next big adventure: • Wash • Re-waterproof • Remove batteries • Store gear clean, dry, and uncompressed in a dark and cool location • Read and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for the gear’s materials • Contact a professional when maintenance and repair needs are beyond your skillset
Preventative Maintenance Maintenance can be a struggle! As dreaded as it may be, maintaining your gear as soon as possible after each trip will lessen repair needs. 6
Wash Your Outerwear and Down Gear Dirt and oil cause down fill to lose loft (and stink!), reducing warmth, while technical outerwear fabric loses breathability, compromising function. It’s time to do laundry. Follow the laundry instructions on your garment’s label. No label? Close your zippers and wash your technical gear using a cleaning solution like Nikwax with cold water on the gentle cycle or in a washbasin agitating with your hands. Stay far away from traditional laundry detergents. Dry with low heat on gentle to protect the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish and add a couple of tennis balls to the dryer to help replenish loft. After several washes, consider reapplying a new DWR treatment using a spray or wash-in product.
Love Your Footwear Water, sweat, and dirt are the enemies of our trail shoes. Wet material grows bacteria and mold, while dirt and mud can cause material to turn rigid, weakening the fiber and making it more susceptible to wear. After each adventure, remove the insoles and let your shoes dry and air out. Avoid too much heat or direct sunlight, which can crack, melt, and compromise the material. Rinse your trail shoes with water from time to time, especially when muddy, and use a soft brush scrub when needed. Treat with spray disinfectant and a waterproofing agent, depending on the material. Always let your trail shoes
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
completely dry out before reinserting your insoles and hitting the trail. And don’t forget to throw your trail shoes’ insoles in the washing machine from time to time!
The Big One, Two, and Three! Salt from your sweat and oil from your skin collect on the straps and back of your pack, the lining of your sleeping bag, and the floor and flaps of your tents, creating salty grease traps that capture dirt, attract critters, and start to smell less like pine trees and more like a compost pile of sweaty socks. Your sleeping bag, tent, and backpack are known as your Big Three for backpacking because of their importance in backcountry travel and living. They also tend to be the most expensive. Taking care of them is a critical part of gear maintenance! Sleeping bag maintenance is essentially identical to the machine washing of down outerwear. However, backpacks and tents must be hand-washed using a soft sponge and lukewarm water, then hung to dry away from the sun. Be sure to scrub the zipper. Mild soaps like diluted Dawn are okay to use on fabrics. Zipper lubricants like Gear Aid Zip Care are recommended once the fabric has dried.
Water, Water, Water Bacteria and mold are gross, taste terrible, and can make you sick. So why haven’t you cleaned your hydration bladder lately? We’re all guilty of it, but it’s not hard! Some bladder
manufacturers offer cleaning kits consisting of a reservoir cleaning brush, a long tube brush, and a drying rack. If you have it, use it. If not, use what you have around your kitchen sink. Fill your bladder with hot, soapy water, and let soak for 15 minutes. If the funk is serious, pull the bite valve off the hose and the hose off the bladder for a deeper clean. After a soak and soft scrub, thoroughly rinse and let it completely dry. A hanger can work well to keep the bladder open for drying. Methods for cleaning water filters and purifiers vary slightly. First and foremost, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and do it at home to avoid maintenance needs in the field. Typically, those recommendations will include
softly scrubbing the exposed filter or shaking the filter when attached to a full bladder, disinfecting the pump with diluted chlorine for 30 minutes, backflushing both at home and in the field, and letting it completely dry out before storage. Most importantly, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Storage After your gear is clean and completely dry, it is ready for long-term storage. Always store your gear in a clean, cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment. No sun! No heaters! No rodents! Store the insoles outside of your shoes, the batteries outside of your headlamp, and your sleeping bag or quilt uncompressed in a loose, breathable sack. Think through where you will store your gear ahead of time and use storage bins as necessary to deter critters and dust.
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Paracord or webbing Heavy-duty safety pins Bike repair gear - patch kit, new tube, and tools to complete field repair
The bottom line, maintenance is worth the effort and part of staying safe in the backcountry. One way to avoid maintenance is to embrace the backcountry minimalist in you and use less gear by living out of your comfort zone and choosing gear with multiple uses. Less gear means less to go wrong! Nature and a handful of thoughtful essentials are all we need to enjoy a trip outdoors safely. Your toys and wallet will thank you.
Essential Field Repair Kit Everyone’s field repair kit will vary based on their gear and the adventures they take. Things that can break and require field repair include ripped clothes, leaky seams, splintered poles, cracked water bottles, busted zippers, punctured pads, snapped eyewear, frayed or delaminated shoes, and torn shoelaces. For home repair, hang onto old gear to harvest parts from (and reduce waste!). For field repair, below are some items to consider bringing in a compact, lightweight kit. • Lighter • Aquaseal • Duct tape • Sewing kit • Small cloth • Tenacious tape • Knife or multi-tool
Staff Gem
Standing on the highest point of the TRT, Relay Peak at 10,336’, affords incredible views of Lake Tahoe to the south. Next time you’re up there, however, turn around and look to the north. On a clear day, you can see Prosser, Boca, and Stampede Reservoirs; Donner Lake; and even Mount Lassen over 100 miles northwest if the skies allow. — Lindsey Schultz
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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f o l i A Tra
Hidden Treasures BY TOMMY ROSENBLUTH & KATE GALLAUGHER We’d like to thank Sarah Hockensmith at The Tahoe Institute For Natural Science, Dave Schnake, and Mike Stone for inspiration, information, and photos.
W
e often talk about nature in a personal utilitarian kind of way. As outdoor adventurers, we seek to reach the highest peaks or be the fastest to complete a trail. These pursuits are worthy of highlighting, but in our haste to achieve great things out in nature, we don’t always notice nature’s own amazing feats. A journey on Tahoe Rim Trail allows us to discover things that are truly astonishing or unknown to us. Every user of the TRT can make discoveries, chronicling their experience and enjoying and paying attention to a landscape filled with biodiversity. The Tahoe Basin and surrounding mountain ranges are home to a variety flora, fauna, and treasures. John Muir famously wrote, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” The TRT is no different. For example, the Tahoe Basin has six primary species of pine: Jeffrey Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, and Whitebark Pine. Together with the Basin’s other tree species, these trees comprise one of the world’s most diverse coniferous forests. The trees have evolved to cooperate in interdependent relationships, maintained by communication and a collective intelligence similar to an insect colony. Trees share water and nutrients through their root systems and
Staff Gem
use them to communicate. They send distress signals about drought, disease, or insect attacks. Other trees receive these messages and alter their behavior to adapt. In our 2022 Summer Trail Blazer, we are highlighting these often hidden occurrences and many of our favorite gems of the TRT. To connect to nature around and underfoot, you may need to slow down and use all of your senses. Lay in the dark under constellations unobscured by light pollution, or spend quiet, still moments observing the forest floor. Consider why bark might be missing on a tree, why a rock is a peculiar form and color, or what type of animal may be making the strange noise in the distance. These natural wonders will amaze you if you are lucky enough to experience them. The forest is abuzz while you are out on the TRT. Here are some of the TRTA’s favorites to watch for.
Fauna:
From a tiny gnat buzzing around your face to more charismatic black bears, the Tahoe Basin has a diverse population of wildlife to spot while out on the TRT.
At least seven species of weasel are naturally at home in Lake Tahoe, including river otters, badgers, wolverines, pine martens, and minks. Otter populations and sightings in Lake Tahoe have declined over the years due to dogs chasing them and the large influx of tourists crowding the shores where they build their homes. However, it is entirely possible to spot river otters playing in Lake Tahoe’s surrounding rivers and blue waters. They are primarily nocturnal creatures, so you are more likely to spot one with help from moonlight or a flashlight on a clear night while sitting quietly along a brushy shoreline cove or riverbank. — Kate Gallaugher
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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Flying Squirrels
Our urge to fly may be why we find this critter so compelling. The Flying Squirrel is a nocturnal critter you might find along the trail. While it’s true that 90% of flying squirrel species can be found only in Asia, two species of flying squirrels exist in North America. These squirrels do not actually fly but can glide over extreme distances of more than 150 ft! They achieve this feat because of a special membrane that extends between their front and back legs, allowing them to glide between trees. You can find the northern flying squirrel in coniferous forests like those in Northern California and Nevada. They have large black eyes and long whiskers that enable them to sense their surroundings and navigate at night. Northern American flying squirrels are typically several inches smaller than their diurnal counterparts and emit highpitched chirping sounds that observers may begin to hear around dusk. When gazing up at tree branches as night falls, a careful observer may notice a small square patch of fur gliding through the air.
Mount Lyell Salamander
The Mount Lyell Salamander is a fascinating creature that does not have lungs and breaths through its skin and the tissue lining of its mouth. They live in damp environments, so Mount Lyell Salamanders that live in the Tahoe Basin, which is admittedly dry, have adapted to thrive in melting snowfields. Their habitat ranges from northern Sequoia National Forest to the Lake Tahoe Basin. You can find these salamanders on north or east-facing mountain slopes, often at the base of cliffs or rock piles with a water source nearby. They spend most of their time hiding in the moist subsurface of water bodies except when they enjoy the surface during rain events. This species can be identified by an industrious if odd defense mechanism. They curl into a ball and roll their body downhill away from potential threats.
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Plants:
From arid Nevada mountain peaks to lush northern California forests, past granite fields and rich volcanic soil beds, Tahoe is rich with diverse and unique plant life.
A hiker walks through a field of rock penstemon near Susie Lake in TahoeLight Desolation Wilderness.
Bobcats
While more challenging to spot than a coyote, it is not impossible to see a bobcat at home on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Sightings are more common over the winter when there is less vegetation to camouflage these secretive creatures and a scarcity of food drives them into urban areas. Young female bobcats can easily be mistaken for domestic cats, while adults are distinguishable by their large size, spotted gray and brown coats, sideburns, and bobbed tails. TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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Lupine
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Lupine fields in bloom in the Mt. Rose Wilderness area near the Galena Waterfall. TahoeLight
Members of the legume family, Lupine is a plant you are probably familiar with and have possibly even planted in your spring garden at home. There are over 200 species of wild Lupines. Lupine can be identified as a stem measuring 8 to 24 inches tall with flowers ranging in color from dark blue to light pink and white. Lupine flowers are often described as pea flower-like with petals enclosing the stamens and presenting a larger rounded petal on top. Below the flowers, on separate stems, slender pointed leaves branch in a circular formation. Most of the wild Lupine that grows in Tahoe are blue. You can search out Lupine with white flowers on the TRT as an added challenge.
Tahoe Draba
Tahoe Draba can only be found growing in the rocky alpine habitats above Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Draba is a squat flowering herb in the mustard family with thick, hairy, oval leaves and yellow flowers. To find this plant, you must look above 8,000 feet in granitic rock outcrops, talus, and gravelly soils. While there are other species of Draba all over the world, Tahoe Draba is an endemic species found only in Tahoe. The specificity of this plant’s habitat warrants extreme care upon viewing. Only view Tahoe Draba from existing trails and approach from below. This plant is more difficult to spot when it’s not in bloom, as the yellow flower is an easy identifier.
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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Snow Plants
One of the most unusual wildflowers in Tahoe in the spring, these plants do not need sunlight to survive but derive their nutrients from fungi in the soil. You can find them in the late spring as the snow melts. They are easily identified because they are bright red and have a conical shape with many flowers growing out of the stem, which can grow to be about a foot in height. This plant is found in conifer forests in the Sierra Range all around California, Oregon, and some parts of northern Nevada.
Anthony Cupaiuolo
Starry, Starry Night
Over 80% of the US population lives in cities and urban areas. These areas are aglow with light from buildings, cars, streetlights, houses, casinos, billboards, and signs that create light pollution and obscure our view of the night sky. The Tahoe Rim Trail backcountry is the place to take in a star-filled dark sky and a meteor shower if you’re lucky. The Perseid meteor shower burns bright in the Lake Tahoe night sky every year. The Perseid Meteor Shower, or the Perseids, is one of the most prolific regularly occurring meteor showers, with 60 “shooting stars” visible per hour during the peak. This year, Perseids will peak on the nights of August 11th and 12th. This beloved annual sky spectacle is caused by the comet Swift-Tuttle, the largest object known to pass by Earth repeatedly; its nucleus is about 16 miles wide. When you sit back to watch a meteor shower, you are observing comet debris enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light, streaking a vivid path across the sky as they travel at 37 miles per second, according to NASA. You don’t need a telescope to see the Perseids go to the darkest possible location. The TRT’s prime dark sky and stargazing spots are: 1. Tahoe Meadows 2. Big Meadow 3. Spooner Lake accessed via Spooner North Trailhead 4. Castle Rock via Kingsbury North 5. Showers Lake via Echo Summit Trailhead 6. Dick’s Pass Lake in Desolation Wilderness
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Rock N’ Roll on the Tahoe Rim Trail BY DAVE SCHNAKE The Tahoe Rim Trail traverses amazing geological features as it meanders around the Tahoe Basin. Many of these features go unnoticed as trail users take in the multitude of sights on the trail. To train your eye to be a keen observer of geology, below are a few that often go unnoticed or are hard to find, some of which you might camp on top of or beside. While traveling through Desolation Wilderness during the summer months, there are features you can look for that point to the area’s glacial past. When glaciers slide down a valley, they pick up rocks and sand into the ice. As the ice drags them across the base of the glacier, they wear away the rock beneath - like dragging sandpaper across a piece Chattering of wood. The grooves left in the granite as rocks are carried across it are called glacial striations. If you find a fresh enough exposure (relatively speaking), you can slide your hand along the striations. One direction may be smoother than the other. The smooth direction is the direction the ice was moving. A second glacial feature to watch out for is chattering, which is a little harder to find. Chattering is where a large rock was carried by ice, bouncing or rotating against the rock floor beneath the glacier, creating ‘divots’ in the granite.
Between Barker Pass and Mt. Baldy, the Tahoe Rim Trail passes by volcanic rocks. Traveling north out of Tahoe City is a great area to witness evidence of volcanic eruptions. When lava contains a smaller amount of gases, bubbles form within the lava. The pictured rock is lava that has solidified, preserving these bubbles. If you look closely, you’ll notice the bubbles are stretched out, indicating the direction the lava was moving until it cooled enough to solidify. Along the TRT north of Tahoe City is a popular viewpoint called the Thunder Cliffs. These platy grey rocks are welded tuffs. This type of volcanic rock originates from highly explosive volcanic eruptions caused by high levels of gases dissolved in lava. So, when sitting at this peaceful scenic viewpoint, you might consider what it looked like millions of years ago when the rocks were formed!
A type of volcanic rock found at the southern-most and northern-most sections of the TRT is lahar. Lahar comprises a chaotic mixture of bulder to clay size volcanic material. Some lahars near Showers Lake have eroded to form striking pinnacles. Along the TRT near Round Lake is a huge boulder of lahar that rolled down from the cliffs above. The hiker’s hand pictured here is touching the top of a lahar flow where fine mud settled out on the surface of the flow. The cracking pattern is from the mud drying out and shrinking 10-20 million years ago.
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Upcoming TRTA Events NATIONAL TRAILS DAY
June 4 Join us to celebrate National Trails Day and work on the trail at Echo Summit near Adventure Mountain. For more information visit tahoerimtrail.org/event/642022-caldorfire-restoration-workday/
BACKPACKING 101
June 17–19 Who wants to learn the fundamentals of backpacking while exploring beautiful Meiss Country with picturesque views of Round Top, Elephant’s Back, and Red Lake Peak and strolling through meadows of blooming wildflowers? We do! Backpacking 101 is an excellent opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to travel as a team with confidence and build up those backpacking skills to later replicate on your next adventure. For more information, visit tahoerimtrail.org/event/ backpacking-101 or email lindseys@tahoerimtrail.org.
GUIDED PUBLIC HIKES
June–September TRTA’s Guided Public Hikes offers novice to expert hikers an educational, guided tour of Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Rim Trail. Popular areas of interest include nature photography, wildflowers, astronomy, and natural history. For more information, visit tahoerimtrail.org/guided-day-hikes/ or email lindseys@tahoerimtrail.org.
TASKFORCE TRAILHEAD
June–September (most weekends) Be part of the solution! Join us at major trailheads to share environmental stewardship messaging and educate trail users! For more information visit tahoerimtrail.org/volunteer/ taskforcetrailhead/
#RAISETHERIM AND TRAIL RIM CHALLENGE
June 1–August 31 This year, the Trail Challenge and Raise the Rim are one in the same! We challenge you to hit the trail and raise support for the association that builds and maintains it. Sign up and create your personal trail goal and fundraising page. Then you’ll receive a link to 20 suggested routes to help you explore new areas of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Share your fundraising page with your friends and family and inspire them to help you complete your trail challenge goal and support the TRTA at the same time. For more information, visit tahoerimtrail.org/raise-the-rim/
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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Skip A Rock, Make A Ripple Spreading Outdoor Ethics Throughout the Jewel of the Sierra BY JULIA KASETA
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s we dive into summer and the crystalclear waters of Lake Tahoe, the Jewel of the Sierra and all its inhabitants will once again be engulfed by the area’s uptick in summertime vacationers. The nooks and crannies of the Tahoe Basin will be flooded with backpackers, climbers, bikers, paddlers, splish-splashers, and everyone in-between. From the bustling casino corridor of South Lake Tahoe to the remote ranges of the wilderness, there will be people and there will be pollution. Broken sled pieces left on the corrals of Spooner Summit and Van SickleBi State Park will make their way into the streams and bellies of hungry trout. East shore beaches will be overrun with plastic bottles, cans, and cigarette butts from shoulder-toshoulder holiday celebrations. Take-out food containers will make their way around and on top of bear-proof trash bins, but not quite in them. Water clarity, wildlife, soil, vegetation, and the experience of others will continue to lay victim to their exploiters. The ‘someone will clean it’—mentality behind it all is running environmental groups ragged as they scramble with upkeep. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and partners are implementing innovative strategies to manage the impacts of 15 million people within driving distance of Lake Tahoe. Sustainable trail maintenance, natural resource restoration, land and water trash clean-ups, and clever informational messaging are some ways the local collective is tackling the pollution problem. And while preventative and repair efforts are making ripples in the right direction, education efforts are making waves.
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The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has developed a user-centered solution to the irresponsible recreation crisis. With a focus on civic stewardship, the globally-recognized framework is bringing awareness to outdoor novices and experts alike. With seven golden rules, Leave No Trace (LNT) is steering environmental health and wellness into the hands, and the minds, of the user. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare— Know Before You Go 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces — Choose the Right Path 3. Dispose of Waste Properly— Trash Your Trash 4. Leave What You Find—Leave it How You Found it 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts— Be Careful With Fires 6. Respect Wildlife—Be Kind to Wildlife 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors— Be Kind to Others The Seven LNT Principles illustrate responsible recreation practices in a way that all can understand, with attention to detail where it matters most. Understanding the area’s governing organizations, informational resources, and natural history can be the difference between good and bad practices. The Tahoe Basin, a cooperative of national forests, wilderness areas, and state parks, sets regulations to protect the national treasure by enforcing permit requirements for backcountry camping and Basin-wide fire bans. Other stewards of the area promote LNT etiquette that is most neglected and misunderstood by visitors. For example, you
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
may see signs hanging with mantras like “when in doubt, pack it in, pack it out.” This includes all things trash - wrappers, dog poop bags, bottles, food scraps, peels, pits, toilet paper, masks, etc. All but human waste. That has a place underground, 6-8 inches deep and 100 steps away from any water sources, to be exact. Food? That goes in a bear-can, so bears can’t get take-out. And once you’re back from your outing, unpack, trash your trash, then latch. To ensure these LNT specifics are accessible for your upcoming adventures, the TRTA’s education initiatives are sweeping the Tahoe Basin this summer. Trail-wide resources include Leave No Trace posters, designed and illustrated by local and regional students, are available for reference at each TRT trailhead. Weekend ambassador support at TRT trailheads will provide local resources and sustainable recreation information. Certification in LNT Awareness for youth through the TRTA’s hands-on curriculum will engage youth in stewardship practices. As we create a cleaner and more cared-for environment, others will follow suit. This is the ripple effect of outdoor ethics. Call to Action: Care, Clean, Certify! Become a steward for the Tahoe area by participating in the TRTA’s Leave No Trace Awareness Program. Completely free and accessible online, you(th) can earn a LNT Awareness certificate from the Center for Outdoor Ethics by completing the hands-on curriculum. Cut out the flyer on the next page and start with a sample activity on your next adventure.
Views we love Donna Woods Vista
Carl Woods adopted the Donna Woods Vista to honor the 40th anniversary of his marriage to his wife, Donna.
Ann Reynolds Vista at Barker Pass The Ann Reynolds Vista at Barker Pass was adopted in memory of Ann Reynolds, who truly loved exploring the Tahoe region’s many hiking trails, and in particular, Barker Pass. Ann had a passion for the outdoors and was often seen leading large groups of friends and family members on hikes in search of vistas and wildflowers. Ann’s adventurous spirit, love of nature, and beautiful smile shall be remembered each time the Vista is visited.
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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
The Power of a Legacy
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n January of 2021, The Tahoe Rim Trail Association received transformative news. One of our long-time members passed away and chose to leave a percentage of their estate to the Association to preserve and protect the Tahoe Rim Trail. This incredible gift was placed in our Stewardship Fund to invest in major capital projects and program expansion. It will increase our work’s scope to maintain the trail and educate the public on sustainable recreation. You, too, can leave a legacy to support our trails for generations to come. By joining the TRT Legacy Circle and including the TRTA in your will or estate plans, you can provide a lasting impact on the trail you love. Gifts can be designated to support a particular project or program or support the organization as a whole.
The member who provided this gift was a private person who gave quietly and didn’t want personal recognition. We did not get to thank them for including the TRTA in their estate plan before their passing. We wish we could say thank you! If you have already included the TRTA in your estate plans, please let us know so we can show our appreciation now. For more information about legacy gifts, contact Veronica Palmer veronicap@tahoerimtrail.org. We are honored that this member entrusted us with their legacy, and we will strive to do right by their vision to protect the outdoors.
“Thank you for the gift that is the TRT! As Sacramento residents, my trail partners and I marveled at the global representation of our fellow TRT hikers, that this incredible resource that draws outdoor lovers from around the world is right in our backyard! We thank TRTA for your labor of love in providing us with this unmatched trail resource.” —Keith Cherry #2864
TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2022 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
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“This was such an amazing experience to have completed this trail. I have never hiked like this before, but it has made me realize my capabilities and my love for it. The trail is beautifully kept and I am so grateful!” —Cynthia Corona #2861
New 165 Mile Club Member, Christine Hansen #2878, said it best, “I feel so proud to have completed every step of the way. I have bragging rights the rest of my life!” It is an honor to announce 2021’s 165 Mile Club inductees who finished the entire Tahoe Rim Trail! If you have completed the trail in one fell swoop or over several years, it’s never too late to join. Each new member receives a certificate of completion, a TRT patch with 165-Mile Club rocker, and a lifetime of bragging rights. Go to tahoerimtrail.org/165-mile-club to learn more and apply today! Lisa Johnson #2709 Sue Little Connie LeLouis Dagmara Kokonas Jenny Garcia Debra Freeman Emily Bram Kevin Carnahan Ellen Fletcher Lorraine Reeves Ken Breitag Liam Jones Cindy Weigel Christopher Eby Travis Lametterey Rina Raman Mary Ann Flemmer Scott Chandler Gaylene Asmus Michael Trapp Loretta Schaffert Bruce Sparks George Reasonover Audrey Ravid David Roush Alex Danner Blake Boles Stephanie Rudolph Molly Boyer Chardette Jameson David Peterson Melissa Johnson Patrick Foy John Richard Ron Acker Eric Janson John Janson 18
Jonathan Shipman Jodi Muratori Scott Kreider Casey Chalmers Tom Kinsella Jennifer Christiansen Erin McCarthy Maryann Hazel Brenda Gissell Tori Carroll Cooper Dog Liam Mina Kelsey Beasley Oatcake Goat Mike Bandrowski Sofiia Williams Jasmine Robins Garrett Schultz Jodie Gullickson Bosco Goat Sharkey Goat Jon Snow Goat Dean Norman Scott Bowden Annie Thwing Joshua Morris NIcolas Oliver Aaron Mora Shawn Kane Mark Buettner Elizabeth Patin Ann Patin Bruce Patin Charlotte Goor Lieah Maxfield Holly Ellingson Emily Zhang
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Mike Pott Jennifer Plumlee Nic Kons Jennifer Keyser William Siegler Jacob Dye Linda Pirie Hugo Vasconcelos Walter Paulsen Chris Ballou Amanda Laca Radley Laca Jesse Laca Lin Falkner Kerry Eaton Kayla McBain Annie Mellor Cheryl Perry Sara Kevern Debbie Knutzon Rebecca Whittaker Patrick Jacobs Kelsey Knutzon Kristopher Butler Katie White Jim Berryhill Justin Knowles Patricia Geramoni Steve Shelton Megan Oliver Joshua Labrecque Paul Trulove Krystal Harvey Charleen McDaniel Rhys De Haan Robert De Haan Brianna Mann
Tim Wiebe Cindy Liggett Chris Martinson Fozzy Bear Dog Marie Ramsey Brett Compton Noah Pickens Zachery Cotton Zach Durocher Colby Osborne Daniel Williams Maxwell Bloom Debra Benson Hope Westall Tucker Tibbetts Warren White Timothy White John Sinclair Mike McLaughlin Katherine Hanson Jim Hanson Autumn Goggins Bella Goggins Parker Goggins Nicole Goggins Dan Goggins Dorothy Dimitrew Evan Hargreaves Marc Sylvester Emma Taborsky Jared Elerick Andrew Sorensen Joyce Hayashi Jamie Nowitzky Dylan Marie Dog Christine Winkel Erin Schneiderman
Ollie Dog Ryder Talcott Julia Brown Douglas Aroca Leki Dog Bill Jensen John Bafford Kara Hayes Sean Kester Coby Dog Brandon Bringhurst Eden Bringhurst Beatriz Vasquez Michael Vasquez Cynthia Coronado Renata Zakhvatkina Oscar Villegas Keith Cherry Julia Kaseta Cameron Tompkins-Cook Joyce Anacker Mimi Bak Jennifer Hayashi Wendy Riche Taryn Cleveland Christopher Wilson Ryan Nibouar Jon Green Charles Dickinson Sonya Millner Kendal Sweeney Christine Hansen Andrew Sherman #2879
Business Members
TRTA Business Members are essential partners that help us fulfill our mission. These partners help ensure the Tahoe Rim Trail remains just as phenomenal in the future as it is today and help us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. For more information on becoming a Business Member, contact Veronica at veronicap@tahoerimtrail.org. FREEL PEAK $10,000+
TAHOE RIM TRAIL PHOTO CONTEST
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ack for the fourth year running, the TRTA photo contest is live! Thirteen winners will be selected for a spot in our 2023 Tahoe Rim Trail Calendar and win a calendar and a hat. Entrants, please submit your high resolution (2.0 MB or higher) photos now through September 30th. Only photos taken on or of the Tahoe Rim Trail or its system are eligible. Visit our website for contest guidelines and instructions. Photos can be landscape, documentary, portrait, or a favorite action shot while mountain biking, snowshoeing, running, star gazing, backpacking, the sky is the limit!
MT. ROSE $5,000–$9,999
MT. TALLAC $2,500–$4,999
MT. BALDY $1,000–$2,499
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128 Market St. Suite 3E PO Box 3267 Stateline, NV 89449
Trail Blazer The Official Publication of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Please join us as we celebrate 40 (+1) years of adventure, leadership, volunteers, partnerships, and recreation. Enjoy dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and a raffle with other members of the Tahoe Rim Trail Community and reflect on 40 impactful years of stewardship.
Saturday, May 28, 2022 4:00 to 8:00 PM Nevada State 4H Camp 4-H Camp Rd. Stateline, Nevada 89449 Cost: $20 Attire: Tahoe casual Food: Dinner provided, no host bar
Tickets available at tahoerimtrail.org/event/40th-celebration/
