Summer Trail Blazer 2021

SUMMER 2021 EDITION

Celebrate our 40th with a playlist, a party, and a 40-mile challenge! page 18

Built on 40 Years of Teamwork How Volunteers Shaped the TRT page 6

VIEW FROM THE RIM

Tahoe Rim Trail Association

I

n 1981 the cool kids drove Camaros, the Talking Heads sang “My God? What have I done!”, and Indiana Jones recovered a lost ark. In our little corner of the world, passionate outdoor enthusiasts came together to establish the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) to make the Tahoe Rim Trail dream a reality.

In 2021 we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary by taking a look back at our history, the incredible people who have made all our work possible, and the epic trail we’ve created.

The Tahoe Rim Trail was the brainchild of Glenn Hampton, a

by Morgan Steel Forest Service Recreation Officer, transferred from the Angeles Executive Director National Forest to the Lake Tahoe Basin in the late 1970s. Glenn spent several summers exploring Tahoe’s trails and mountain peaks, learning the intricacies of the Basin’s trail system. As time wore on, he kept coming back to the same gnawing question—why, with all of the incredible public land surrounding Tahoe—was there no continuous loop trail around the lake?

Glenn was onto something special and in 1981 trail supporters gathered to create an organization to implement his vision. By 1982 the Tahoe Rim Trail Fund, Inc. (later changed to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association) had its first official board meeting and applied for nonprofit status. Around the same time, the USFS included the Tahoe Rim Trail Project in the Basin’s 1982 planning process. With backing from the Forest Service and seed money coming in from the Alpine Winter Foundation, Glenn and the Tahoe Rim Trail Fund moved forward with the completion of the initial environmental assessment and started trail construction in 1984.

It would take another seventeen years and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours to connect the initial loop and officially open the Tahoe Rim Trail. The final section of trail built was near Martis Peak on the north end of the lake, a spot we now affectionately call Celebration Point. On September 22, 2001, the TRTA gathered together to mark the occasion. Glenn Hampton even flew in from his new home on the East Coast to deliver the keynote address.

The following two decades have been a whirlwind of expansions, reroutes, improvements, and growth. The organization has transformed. In addition to its essential function to maintain and enhance the trail system, the TRTA works to address and improve all aspects of the TRT experience. This includes everything from connecting population centers to the trail through new connectors and providing guided hiking opportunities for adults and children, to advocating for public transit to trailheads and ensuring the trail is preserved for future generations.

Over 40 years, we have been honored to have your support in achieving our mission. Personally, I’m thrilled to be a part of this work. Like many of our volunteers and supporters, I have fond memories of time spent with some of my favorite people on the trail. I also have those special pieces of trail, often marked by a rock I fought to fit perfectly into place, that will remind me of my contribution each time I visit.

We’re looking forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary this year with you.

We’re hopeful the continued gains made in addressing the pandemic will ensure we can celebrate in person reflecting on our success, honoring our history, and strategizing how to create another four decades of success. While we don’t know what challenges and opportunities lie ahead, we’ll continue to carry our mission forward to provide incredible recreational opportunities so everyone can be inspired by Tahoe’s wild places today and in the future!

Happy Trails,

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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | 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 Development Director Veronica Palmer Outdoor Programs Director Lindsey Schultz Office Administrator Laurie Buffington Trail Operations Manager Kristine Koran Youth Programs Manager Julia Kaseta

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Tom Fullerton Vice President Tricia Tong Treasurer Dave Schnake Secretary Michelle Glickert Vice President of Trail Ops Shannon Foley Vice President of Trail Use Carl Woods Board Members Marissa Fox, Joe Irvin, Justin Knowles, Ro Martinoni, and John McCall

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association works in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and Nevada Division of State Parks

CONTENTS

HAPPY TRAILS JOHN SINGLAUB! The Tahoe Rim Trail Association would like to express its gratitude to John Singlaub, who wrapped up his final board term in March of 2021. John joined the board in the fall of 2009 and by December was appointed Executive Vice President. The following year, John took on the role of Board President. He assumed he would serve a one-year term, but spent eight years shepherding the organization through two new Executive Directors, finding a new home and moving the TRTA office, database conversions, staff transitions, and a website relaunch among a slew of other challenges and opportunities. We will be forever grateful for the insight and leadership he brought to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. Thank you for everything, John.

See you on the trail.

View from the Rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 TRAIL OPERATIONS The Dirt on Trail Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 VOLUNTEERING Here’s a Shovel: How Volunteers Shaped the TRT . . . . . 6 DEDICATIONS Views We Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 OUTDOOR PROGRAMS The Compass: Anniversary of the First TRT Thru Hike . . 10 NEWS & FEATURES YBCC Back in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 40 Years of Trailbuilding, Recreation, & Teamwork . . . . . 14 Calling All Volunteers: Taskforce Trailhead . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 TRTA Active Guides and Crew Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2020 165 Mile Club Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Over the Hill: Celebrate the TRTA’s 40th with Us! . . . . . . 18 TRTA Photo Contest Call for Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Hike the

rail T m i Tahoe R With

Explore 35,000+ miles of trails #withguthook

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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The Dirt On Trail Operations T

he TRTA’s Trail Operations program is excited to dig into another trail season maintaining and improving the Tahoe Rim Trail. We’re still feeling the impacts of the COVID pandemic on our operations and are planning on implementing our work this summer with smaller but more frequent volunteer workdays to ensure safety protocols can be followed. We hope to be able to ease these restrictions later in the summer and host larger volunteer projects, maybe even return to one of our favorite projects – a big trail work campout! Highlights for the 2021 field season on the TRTA include major projects at the Brockway Summit Trailhead, on the TRT north of Tunnel Creek, close to Ward Creek, and in and adjacent to Desolation Wilderness. All of this will be tackled in addition to our annual maintenance work.

We’re starting our summer at Brockway Summit. We’ll be working on the section of trail on the west side of the road. The current pullout allows for cars to stop along several hundred feet of roadside. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear entry to the trail and much of the hillside connecting the trail to the parking area has become a web of paths spreading out and impacting vegetation, and contributing to increased erosion. We’ll be stabilizing the hillside and improving signage to direct users.

We are looking forward to the permitting process progressing to allow construction of a trailhead just north of this road pullout at the top of Highway 267 in the coming years.

We’re advocating for bathrooms with water at this trailhead to not only improve the experience for our users, but to cut down on the significant amount of discarded water

containers unfortunately left behind by users.

Volunteers may join us starting in June.

North of Tunnel Creek our team will be addressing erosion issues and the switchbacks after the trail passes Diamond Peak and travels to the east side of the Carson Range. The trail features a series of long switchbacks as it drops elevation to connect with the Spooner Backcountry at Tunnel Creek. The switchbacks need serious love as they’ve eroded down in some places by more than a foot. We’ll be reconstructing the switchbacks, improving drainage, and armoring areas of the trail with rock to ensure this section of trail holds up better for the future.

Our work at Ward Creek is in response to the USFS and partners implementing a muchneeded forest health project in the area. This project is utilizing parts of the TRT constructed using an old Forest Service road as access for their heavy machinery for logging and thinning. Heavy machinery and trail users don’t mix, so the TRTA and USFS are working to realign the trail to a better location that keeps the TRT away from this USFS project and also addresses trail deficiencies on the old alignment. A win-win solution! Public workdays will start in July.

We have another busy year in Desolation Wilderness on the schedule in 2021. With our partners at the Pacific Crest Trail Association,

a walk 1981

Dedicated community members form a group to implement Glenn Hampton’s vision of a 150-mile loop following the ridgetops of Lake Tahoe.

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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Project Leader Bob Anderson assesses the TRT near Tunnel Creek. The TRTA plans to return this section of trail back to a standard 18 to 24-inch trail. we plan to have up to six weeks of crews working in this incredibly popular wilderness area. We’ll be addressing issues with the trail tread, improving drainage, rebuilding structures, removing down trees, installing new signage, working on a bridge crossing, and improving access for equestrians.

A final highlight for the 2021 trail season is our annual trail maintenance work. Trail maintenance is such a short phrase to describe a huge portion of the work our Trail Operations team tackles annually. Each year as the snow melts from the trail, the team aims to assess every one of the 200-miles in the TRT system to see how it faired over the winter. Based on the assessments, the team then removes trees that are down along the trail, clears drainages, removes overgrown brush, and evaluates

major construction needed that we’ll add to the work schedule to address or, if necessary, work to obtain permits so that the project can be completed in the following season(s).

This year’s work calendar is ambitious and wouldn’t be possible without you! We’d like to thank all of our incredible crew leaders who plan and guide this work, the wonderful community members that volunteer to dig in and help out, our land managers and trail partners, and our supporters who provide grants and donations to allow us to implement this work. It is a team effort and we are excited to see you all on the trail again in 2021. Our public workdays kick off on National Trails Day, June 5th. If you’d like to build your piece of the trail, check out the TRTA website to register.

Erosion issues to be addressed at Brockway West Trailhead.

through the years: a TRTA timeline 1982

1983

1984

Tahoe Rim Trail Fund is granted non-profit 501(c)3 status and holds first official meeting on March 23.

Equestrians scout the proposed loop.

First Crew Leader Training held June 4th.

Environmental documents are completed and approved for trail construction to start near Luther Pass.

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Here’s a shovel.

How volunteers helped shape the Tahoe Rim Trail

P

eople come from all over the world to explore the Tahoe Basin, climb its mountains, and enjoy views of the Jewel of the Sierra. It’s hard to imagine a time when that was not possible. Before the early 80s, recreation in the Tahoe Basin looked a lot different. Thanks to the vision of a Forest Service employee and dedication from many volunteers, the dream of the Tahoe by Veronica Palmer Rim Trail was born.

Development Two of those dedicated volunteers who Director were there from the start are Sam and Jackie Viviano. The Tahoe Rim Trail wouldn’t be what it is today without the passion of these two. In the early 1980s, they saw an ad in the local newspaper about a gathering at Spooner Summit to talk about a future trail that would circle Lake Tahoe from atop the ridgeline called the Tahoe Rim Trail. They were hooked. What struck Jackie the most was how enthusiastic everyone was. She recalls that people would say “in

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ten years we will have a new trail!” Even though it took much longer than that to complete, their enthusiasm never wavered.

Sam and Jackie dedicated countless hours and worked on every segment of the trail to make the dream of the TRT a reality. For a while, every evening after work they would grab their tools and head out to build trail for a few hours before dark. Sam estimated that in one of his busiest years building trail on the TRT, he hiked over 1,000 miles to work sites.

In all their years volunteering for the TRTA they have done it all, both serving as early crew leaders, Jackie becoming one of the first female sawyers, and Sam serving as board president for many years. They have worked in the office doing filing and served as cooks for Backcountry Work Camps. Sam even found himself making spaghetti sauce out of ketchup for one of those camps when the

1985

1986

First TRTA Backcountry Work Camp held.

Art and Sylvia Koerber earn First Volunteer of the Year Award.

The TRTA opens office at the Yank’s Station Pony Express stop in Meyers, CA.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Grab your shovel. Join a trail crew.

Volunteer workdays take place June through October most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Dig in and help improve the TRT. Details and registration can be found at tahoerimtrail.org/volunteer/join-trail-crew/.

horse resupply failed to show up. He says the secret was all in how he used the spices.

Over the years, they have seen the Association grow from a small one-room office in Meyers with no bathroom to the professional organization it is today. Early years featured bake sales and borrowed firefighting tools. The approach to building trail also morphed. In the beginning, Sam said they didn’t really know what they were doing.

The first mile ever constructed, from Grass Lake towards Armstrong Pass, had to be reconstructed the next year. “We were learning as we went along,” Jackie added. As the organization grew, so did the knowledge and skill of the volunteers.

It wasn’t until years later that some of the (still active) crew leaders rewrote the trail standards to what is used today. For example, originally new trail was laid out with a stake every 50 feet on the centerline, then the trail

was built evenly on either side. Now, the trail is flagged on the highline, followed by digging down to get the backslope and building out the tread width toward the lowline.

Forty years after their first adventures with the TRT, Sam and Jackie are grateful for the time they have spent working to provide this amazing recreation opportunity for the community. Sam said, “If I were to die today, thinking about the important things in my life, the TRT memories would be among them.”

Over the next 40 years, the TRTA hopes to continue this amazing legacy and preserve this world-class trail they built. Together, our volunteers, members, donors, board, and staff will meet the challenges ahead. From addressing overcrowding and climate-related issues to finally moving the trail off of road sections and onto single-track trail, we are ready for it all. Thank you to all our volunteers over the years, like Sam and Jackie, for giving us a trail like no other, the Tahoe Rim Trail. We will continue to tell anyone who wants to know what the Tahoe Rim Trail is all about, what Sam and Jackie told many others: “here’s a shovel.”

1989

1990

First group hike goes to Genoa Peak.

Big Meadows Trailhead is the first TRT trailhead completed.

Left: Jackie and Sam on the trail in 1990.

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Views we love

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he Tahoe Rim Trail holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Through the TRTA’s Adopt-a-Vista/Adopt-aMile program members of our community can honor their loved ones or special occasions by dedicating a special spot on the trail they hold dear. Here are this season’s adopted vistas and their special dedication. If you are interested in adopting a vista or a mile, contact Veronica Palmer at veronicap@tahoerimtrail.org.

1991

The TRT Interpretive Loops is completed at Tahoe Meadows.

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TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

1992 1998

1993 1999

The trails and lake are a magical place for our family and we are thankful for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and all they do! ­—Sarah Uppal

The Wednesdays’ Inspirational Vista is located 6.5 miles south of Echo Summit. The Uppal Family Vista is located about 4.5 miles west of the Mt. Rose Trailhead.

The Wednesdays’ Inspirational Vista

In 2019 a group of individuals signed up to hike the entire trail in one summer through the TRTA’s guided Segment Hike program. For one member of the group, the viewpoint after a difficult climb to Showers Lake held a special meaning. The climb was so grueling that thoughts of dropping out of the program had popped into her head, but after reaching the vista she was blown away. She sat down and realized what a privilege it was to be strong enough to get to such a special place under the power of her own two feet and with the love and support of an amazing group of friends. The group decided to all pitch in and adopt the special place dedicating it to their friendship. They formed a truly unique bond and vowed to keep on hiking together, including some snowshoeing.

In 2020 they carried on, joined by a few TRTA guides and some new hikers who were making their way around the whole trail.

The Uppal Family Vista

Sarah and Renny Uppal, along with their family, adopted a vista leading up to Relay Ridge to honor two important women in their lives, Carol Novitz and Betty Blakely. Carol, Renny’s grandma, had hiked part of the trail years ago with the family while in her 90s. She was a true inspiration who never stopped moving and laughing. She was almost 102 when she passed away. Sarah’s grandma, Betty, loved birds and enjoyed painting landscapes and nature. After hiking to the top of Mount Rose in 2020, the Uppals felt adopting this vista would be the perfect tribute to dedicate to two inspirational and important women who they lost earlier in the year.

“As a family we have enjoyed the trails on foot and on bike. We have countless memories on the lake, sailing, wake surfing, paddle boarding and jumping off the dock. The trails and lake are a magical place for our family and we are thankful for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and all they do!” said Sarah.

1994

1995

1996

The TRTA office moves from Meyers, CA to Kingsbury Grade at Stateline, NV.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Fund officially becomes the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and incorporates in Nevada.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe adopts a mile on the TRT.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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THE COMPASS

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the TRTA’s Inaugural 2001 Celebration Hike-Thru

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eptember 22, 2001, 17 adventurous hikers and two intrepid trail leaders completed the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s inaugural 150-mile guided thru hike. The “Celebration Hike-Thru” started as a fundraiser co m m e m o ra t i n g the completion of the Tahoe Rim Trail, a project that, in 2001, was 20 years in the making. As we mark 20 years since our first TRTA

by Lindsey Schultz sponsored thru Outdoor Programs hike, two of the Director Left: Ellen and Ro guiding together in 2008.

Right: Ro and Ellen guiding the Thru Hike in 2016.

inaugural thru hike participants, who are still volunteering with the TRTA today, recount that first walk around the loop and why they keep coming back.

Ellen Goldsmith and Ro Martinoni have been friends and hiking buddies for 20 years. Their friendship and decades-long commitment to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association all started with a local Nevada Appeal advertisement announcing the TRTA’s Celebration Hike-Thru.

Before their thru hike, both Ellen and Ro had done day hikes and overnights on the TRT as it was being built. Ro even took part in a 1991 TRTA sponsored Backcountry Camp at Watson Lake and paid $26 to do so. She jokingly remembers being asked if she wanted to walk from Tahoe City to Watson Lake with a wheel to measure the distance. “It’s not that far,” she was told. “There’s plenty of water,” she was told. So she ended up paying to walk

a wheel 12.5 miles, without a drop of water in sight. The excellent food and cocktails waiting for her at camp helped turn that situation around!

For both Ellen and Ro, the July 2001 advertisement provided a new calling, to be one of the first to complete the 150-mile loop to celebrate the completion of the Tahoe Rim Trail and its 150+ miles of views. It was an irresistible challenge and opportunity to be a part of local history. Ro recounts, “I had been to so many places around the trail but I wanted to see it all come together. Especially to be one of the first. That’s pretty historic.”

Ellen was also drawn to the opportunity to be part of history. The trip for her was a lifechanging experience. “It’s a long time to be in the woods,” she says. “There’s nothing flat about the TRT. I love the challenge and the people sharing the challenge with me.”

The trip started on September 8th and the itinerary was designed to have the group complete their hike by arriving at a celebration event marking the completion of the Tahoe Rim Trail loop. Along with the physical challenges that accompany a long-

1997

1998

1999

The first Tahoe Rim Trail Association website goes live.

Inaugural Thru Hike group in 2001.

distance hike, the group faced a difficult decision when four days into the inaugural hike, the September 11th attacks occurred.

The group debated ending the trip early but,

in the end, collectively decided that nothing would be gained by giving up. Eleven days later the stinky hikers completed their hike near Martis Peak in a beautiful meadow of

woolly mule’s ear just as Glenn Hampton, the TRT’s visionary, delivered his keynote address to a crowd of onlookers and media.

The connections with the trail and fellow hikers made during that 2001 thru hike have stood the test of time for Ellen and Ro. They went on to become two of the first volunteer guides to lead the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s annual Thru Hike fundraiser in 2008. Since then, the Thru Hike’s popularity has grown and the Association now launches two trips each summer. TRTA guides lead 12 participants across 165 miles of trail, the actual mileage waxing and waning with the evolving trail. Both Ellen and Ro note that the TRTA thru hike program and the people they meet offer not just an opportunity to connect with nature, but an opportunity to connect with other kindred spirits.

Since 2001, Ellen, occasionally with her pack llamas or TRTA participants, has made her way around the trail 23 times with a goal to complete the trail 25 times by the time she’s 75. Guiding on the trail offers her an opportunity to see the trail through the participants’ eyes, which she notes, “keeps the experience fresh and keeps the enthusiasm up.” Ro has completed the entire trail six times while hiking segments countless others. In 2014, Ro joined the Board of Directors and was instrumental in creating the foundation for the TRTA’s guided educational programs.

For future thru hikers and visitors to the Tahoe Rim Trail, Ro and Ellen provide sage words of advice to “take a map, be prepared to breathe hard, try to stop and smell the flowers, inhale in the clean air, and enjoy the spectacular views.”

If you are interested in learning more about TRTA’s guided programs including the 15-day thru hike please visit tahoerimtrail. org/guided-hikes.

2000

2001

2002

The TRTA is awarded the Nevada Millennium Trail Award.

Initial TRT Loop is connected on the north end of Lake Tahoe and the TRT officially opens!

The TRTA Thru Hike launches and guides participants around the newly opened trail.

The TRTA office moves to the Parasol Foundation building in Incline Village, NV.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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YBCC is Back in Action!

A

fter a difficult year for many kids, the TRTA is excited to bring back its Youth Backcountry Camps (YBCC) and build the next generation of trail stewards. Each fourday backpacking expedition fosters a greater connection to the natural world by educating participants on the natural history, Leave No Trace ethics, and environmental stewardship.

This outdoor curriculum empowers youth to assume leadership roles, learn wilderness skills, and gain confidence while exploring the great outdoors. We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to more than 100 regional youth again this summer. Learn more at tahoerimtrail.org/youth-programs.

You can help support this amazing opportunity for youth by making an additional donation today!

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2003

2004

2005

96 miles of trail are designated as a National Recreation Trail.

TRTA begins hosting AmeriCorps members.

TRTA officially launches the TRTA Volunteer Guide Program and hosts guided winter and summer hikes.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

2006

2007

2008

The guided Thru Hike returns to celebrate the TRTA’s 25th anniversary and continues annually.

First Youth Backcountry Camps take teens on backpacking trips along the trail.

Guided Segment Hike Program and Backcountry Skills Courses are launched.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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A

40 Years of Trailbuilding, Recreation, and Teamwork

B

D

2009

Ultra runner Killian Jornet sets fastest supported thru hike record at 38 hours, 36 minutes.

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2010

C

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

2011

Van Sickle Bi-State Park opens to the public and the TRTA builds the park’s internal trail system.

H

Counter-clockwise from top left.

A: Trail work day in 1986. B: Backcountry Camp at Watson Lake in 1989. C: Second ever Backcounrty Camp in 1986. D: Board of Directors Meeting 1986. E: Laying out the first mile of trail in 1984. F: Completion of the loop ceremony at Celebration Point in 2001. G: A group cycling on the trail on 1989. H: Closing the final loop in 2001.

G

E

F 2012

2013

2014

The Daggett Reroute Project is completed, connecting Kingsbury North and South.

TRTA office moves back to Stateline, NV.

The Rim to Reno extension and spur trail to Mt. Houghton is completed.

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The TRTA is inspirational and amazing. This hike taught me about what I am capable of, and I can't wait to share and give back. Thank you TRTA! —Laura Hubbard #2583

Help Us Spread Trail Magic

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olunteers are foundational to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. This year we’ve got a new volunteer opportunity for trail users to share their love and knowledge of the TRT through the TASKFORCE TRAILHEAD program.

The program aims to provide stewardship information to trail users at popular Tahoe Rim Trailheads to address the impacts of a growing number of trail users who often lack essential outdoor skills needed to safely and sustainably enjoy the outdoors. If you’re interested in joining the team email info@tahoerimtrail.org.

ACTIVE TRTA CREW LEADERS Bob Anderson Jim Backhus Cheryl Bailey Don Bailey Phil Brisack John Clausen Jim Crompton Aaron Daniel Larry Davis Bill Doherty Michelle Edmonson Jackie Ferek Shannon Foley Jamie Goodspeed Clay Grubb

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Bill Hager Jerry Heitzler Dave Hennig Sue Hughes Mike Kuckenmeister Bruce Levy Donna Maher John McCall John McKenna Chuck McVicker Patrick Pevey Dave Schnake Paul Sinnott Ed Smith Dave Stevenson

ACTIVE TRTA GUIDES

Chris Strohm Charlene Summers Jim Waldron Bryan Wright Mark Wynne-Wilson

Ita Abarzua-Kostan Bruce Antell Michelle Beaupied Kevin Benson Chelsea Borowski Laurie Buffington Alan Catron Jo Ann Cobb Steven Cochrane Jennifer Coon LaTrenda Easton John Ferguson Lizzie Flower Tom Fullerton Colleen Gervasi

Ellen Goldsmith Jamie Goodspeed Kristen Hackbarth Steve Hale Kate Huckbody Sharell Katibah Michael Kreisel Anna Lijphart Scott Liske Loretta Low Meryl Lowell Ro Martinoni Debbie Matuk Jim McNamara Jim Mrazek

James Mueller Jan Nishikawa George Prince John Regin Nettie Russi Joseph Salonga Ben Simonian Matthew Taylor Barb Todd Tricia Tong Maureen Welsh Sharon Marie Wilcox Brad Wishek Carl Woods

2015

2016

2017

The TRTA changes its mission from promoting the trail to focus on preserving the trail.

Construction is completed on the Van Sickle Bridge—the first fiberglass bridge built in the Tahoe Basin.

TRT goes live on Google Street View after volunteers carry the Google Trekker around 100 miles of the trail.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Having tackled every inch of the Tahoe Rim Trail by any combination of bike, foot, or horse deserves a shout out and a round of applause. We are pleased to highlight last year’s 165 Mile Club inductees! If you have completed the trail in one swoop or over the course of several years, it’s never too late to join. Each new member receives a certificate of completion, a TRT patch, 165 Mile Club rocker, and memories that will last a lifetime. Go to tahoerimtrail.org/165-mile-club to learn more and apply today!

Stuart Andrews #2492 Derek Andrews Richard Huse Mark Jarvis Rodney Kimbrough Cheryl Brown W Don Brown Azalea Wiseman Nelson Rachael Wiseman Nelson Doug Nelson Araya AnRa Beverly Hemphill Mackenzie Wieder Randy Knutzon Christine Julia Carl Buchholz Babette & Marty Galinak Laura Spadoni Drew Herbert Teresa Muir Paulette Schneider Jim Clark Brian Winnett Becca Russell Colin Booth Kimberly Crisman Liz Wojcicki Eva Salyer Joseph Bouchey Angelique Carl Caroline Elliott Kelly Bessem Richard Kwun Chris Binder James Richards Wyatt Watson Guy Whittaker Grace Tully Di Bolton Kim Jackson-Leo Harry Bradbury Keesha Erickson

Peter Spencer Jeffrey Woodbury Lesley Dellamonica Diane Frederic Danielle Siler Ted Fehlhaber Rachelle Bassen Erik Krogen Carly Pon Karen Vornkahl Mark Vornkahl John Calhoun Rebecca Coleman Tracie Moultrup Jack Emery Wendy Vane Jessica Lasater Luis Fowler Michael Williams Amber Hardesty Scott Calley Christy Hall Edward Shapley Bradley Duncan Jackie Dent Mike Dent Erin Felker Sara Felker Travis Felker Joshua Flowers Jennifer Leonard Eli Pease Will Whitney Brian Carlson Kenny Allstead Madison Melton Sara Esrick Jennifer Hemmert Brian Gibson Lance Hemmert Sylvain Matter Troy Bird

2018

Randall January Brandi Hurwitz Taylor Sheridan Shannon Brett Scott Trevithick Jeff Lehman Laura Hubbard Nicole Steinmetz Catherine Carbonaro Sarah Boron-Trotter Ryan Gilbert Heidi Howden Christine Martens John Haffner Hayley Washinsky Nicholas Bugbee Michael Eubanks Maridy Carpenter Jennifer Mabus Blare Jones Steven Lear Patricia Gleason Dave Norton Lynn Norton Cat Shimizu Marian Alessandroni Bryan Hoke Erik Burket Mary Nagy Zachariah Nagy Leora Olivas Kathy Hemeon Janet Heine John Heine Emerald Estock David Pike Shawn Mainville Jeremy Marble Tristen Ence Kathleen Hohwald Brad Kern Kristin Van Der Kar Anthony Deveny Todd Shadbourne

Renee Lewis Emil Matter Lucie Kayser-Brill Agathe Matter Christopher Gudenzi Roger Shady Karin Shady Jack Maloney Spencer Herrick Donald Buraglio Amy Olin Elena Keamy Carol Seibert Scott Behrens Nora Behrens Miles Behrens Rowan Behrens Edward Horan Debbie Clark Marian Alessandroni Kathy Miller Tracy Adams Ryan Adams Gillian Belgique Rich Steward Santiago Alvarez Susanna Bost Marlon Lucas Heidi Stec Martin Christian Katherine Vestal Peter Vestal Brandon Bennett Jennifer Bennett Allison Schoenback Donald Schoenback Mia Gaiero Sunny Gorba Libby Polston Christopher Weber Katrina Weber Jason Eberle Jason Bosinoff Kathy Hemeon

Rhonda Robinson Nina Tanovic Karen Roth Parker Bly Amelia Weller Meghan Dorris Tamara DeGiovanni Jamie Casey Diane Forrest Mary Hays Robyn Syah Cyndy McCormick Bjorn Thaler Samantha Williams Nathan Williams Wilder Williams Grey Williams Cary Brown Maggie Soran Robin Soran Richard Clowdus Ryan Grohs Susan Clemons Ute Luyties Doug Aiton Carol and Ron Nageotte Pamela Madigan Courtney Mathes Elsa Boscarello Dallas Kroetsch Mandy Kroetsch Julia Requarth Presley Cochran Becky Fromherz Kevin Fromherz Steven Feller Amy Smith Tobey Hilliard Elizabeth Russell Kristen Anderson Cynthia Green Chris Russell Megan O’Reilly-Lewis Griffin Gebler #2708

2019

2020

Taste of the TRT Program launches.

TRTA records are smashed! Fastest known times for men and women, supported and unsupported, are all broken.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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TRTA’s

TOP On your next trail adventure, listen along to the TRTA’s Top 40 Trail Mix on Spotify: bit.ly/TRTA-Top40-playlist.

#RaiseTheRim

Are you up for a challenge?

Mark your calendars for August! To celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we are challenging members of our community to hike, bike, or ride 40 miles during the month of August to raise money to support the Tahoe Rim Trail. Everyone who raises a minimum of $25 will receive a 40th anniversary T-shirt to wear while completing their miles and be entered in a weekly prize drawing held throughout the month. Sign up today and help us #RaisetheRim! For more details and to register, visit tahoerimtrail.org/raise-the-rim.

We are Over the Hill!

Join us September 18!

Save the date! The TRTA is heading “over the hill” and we want you to celebrate with us. Mark your calendar for the weekend of September 18th as we gather all volunteers, supporters, and trail users, both past and present, for a celebration like no other.

Don’t miss this outdoor get-together honoring our history and the people that made it happen.

2021

The TRTA celebrates 40 years in operation with an ambitious trail work calendar and a 40-mile #RaiseTheRim challenge.

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This is a journey that I will never forget.

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

—Dallas Kroetsch #2694

1 I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers

2 These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ Nancy Sinatra

3 Bicycle Race Queen 4 Back in the Saddle Again Gene Autry 5 Here Comes The Sun The Beatles 6 Blue Sky Allman Brothers 7 Mountain Sound Of Monsters and Men 8 Old Pine Ben Howard 9 Ripple Grateful Dead 10 Buffalo River Home John Hiatt 11 River Joni Mitchell 12 Proud Mary Creedence Clearwater Revival

13 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye

14 Happy Pharrell Williams

15 Home Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros

16 Harvest Moon Neil Young

17 Fire on the Mountain The Marshall Tucker Band

18 Hard Sun Eddie Vedder 19 Hunger of the Pine Alt-J 20 Livin’ on a Prayer Bon Jovi 21 Lost in My Mind The Head and the Heart 22 Follow the Sun Xavier Rudd 23 Only the Wild Ones Dispatch 24 The Swimming Song Loudon Wainwright III 25 Body Movin’ Beastie Boys 26 Dragonfly Ziggy Marley 27 Wild Thing The Troggs 28 Sing to the Mountain Elephant Revival 29 Rocky Mountain High John Denver 30 Mighty River Railroad Earth 31 Into the Mystic Van Morrison 32 Howlin’ For You Black Keys 33 Walkin’ on Sunshine Katrina & the Waves 34 Wagon Wheel Old Crow Medicine Show 35 Wild Horses Rolling Stones 36 Ends of the Earth Lord Huron 37 Miles Away Phil Cook 38 This Must Be the Place Talking Heads 39 Wild World Yusuf/Cat Stevens 40 Happy Trails Roy Rogers

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.

TAHOE RIM TRAIL PHOTO CONTEST

FREEL PEAK $10,000+

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, the Tahoe Rim Trail Photo Contest is live! Thirteen winners will be selected for a spot on the 2022 Tahoe Rim Trail calendar and win a calendar and TRT shirt.

MT. ROSE $5,000–$9,999

Share your Tahoe Rim Trail adventure with us, no matter the season! Photos can be landscapes, portraits, or your favorite action shots while mountain biking, snowshoeing, running, star gazing, or backpacking. The sky is the limit! Literally. We just want you to show us your most spectacular shots while enjoying the TRT. Entrants, please submit your high resolution (2.0 MB or higher) photos now through September 30. Only photos taken on the Tahoe Rim Trail or its system are eligible. Only online submissions will be considered. Visit our website for contest guidelines and instructions.

MT. TALLAC $2,500–$4,999

MT. BALDY $1,000–$2,499

TRAIL BLAZER | Summer 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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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

New gear coming soon!

Keep an eye out for new TRT merchandise hitting our store, including new designs for men’s and ladies’ long and short sleeve shirts, as well as new hats and socks! tahoerimtrail.org/shop