Newsletter of The Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Spring/Summer 2013

Upcoming Events, Outings and More! PAGE 4

Take On The New TRAIL CHALLENGE PAGE 5 New Trail Projects PAGE 6

Spring on the Trail!

Tahoe Rim Trail Association

A s I was listening to inspirational poetry recently, one line jumped out at me. It was in reference to how often we allow ourselves to be caught up in

the day to day craziness of life and forget the importance of taking the time to get out in nature to reconnect with what is really important.

Our trail provides the opportunity to do just that, although perhaps a bit longer “walk” than the author was thinking if you do the entire trail! I hope each of you reading this will take the time to get out in nature wherever you are and enjoy! We are kicking off a new challenge for members this year – to get out and explore our “trail like no other” with the Tahoe Rim Trail Challenge. We’ll be highlighting six wonderful day hikes in various locations around the lake to encourage participants to explore the unique ecosystems, breathtaking vistas, cool alpine lakes and the healthy benefits of getting out on the trail. Thank you to our corporate sponsors Spin Games, REI and NV Energy for supporting this new program. Read more about this on page five and join in on the fun this summer. This year’s trail building season will kick off with National Trails Day on June 1st at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. This summer we’ll be finishing up our Daggett project and completing critical maintenance around the trail. I hope you’ll join us for some of our workdays – another great way to enjoy the trail, keep it safe for other users, and reap the benefits of getting outside. In an effort to put more of our precious resources into the trail, one big change this year will be transitioning to an online Trail Blazer. For those of you without email/internet, please give us a call at 775-298-0012 and let us know that you would like to continue receiving a printed version. As always, thank you for all of your contributions to sustain the Tahoe Rim Trail! It is because of all of you - our members, volunteers, donors, and corporate supporters that we are able to accomplish our mission. To see a complete list of all our supporters, check out our 2012 Annual Report – coming soon to our Website Press Room. I look forward to seeing you on the trail in 2013! Happy Trails!

VIEW FROM THE RIM

Staff

Executive Director Mary Bennington

Director of Operations Morgan Fessler

Director of Trail Use Tom Rodriguez

Director of Membership & Outreach

Shannon SkarrittOffice Administrator

Laurie BuffingtonAmeriCorps Outdoor Education

Program Coordinator Haley Walker

AmeriCorps Trail Operations Coordinator Lindsey Schultz

AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Phillips

Board Of Directors

President John SinglaubVice President Stuart Campbell

Treasurer John McCallSecretary Craig Schriber Board Development

Craig Schriber Sustainable Funding Jeanne Fisher-Thompson

Marketing Christina Stoever-Young Trail Operations Bob Anderson

Trail Use Kristine MitchellBoard Members

Teresa Crimmens, David DeVoe, Kirk Hardie, Jennifer Hogler, Petra Keller, Roger

Rosenberger, Karen Ross

Contact Us

948 Incline WayIncline Village, NV 89451

775-298-0012 (phone)

www.tahoerimtrail.orginfo@tahoerimtrail.com

by Mary BenningtonExecutive Director

Sometimes the truthdepends on a walk around the lake. - Wallace Stevens

 

DEP A RTMENT OF AGRICULT URE

FOREST SERVICE

U S

2 TRAIL BLAZER | Spring/Summer 2013 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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 promote access to

the beauty of the Lake Tahoe Region.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Associationworks in partnertship with the USDA Forest Service and Nevada State Parks

Mary BenngingtionExecutive Director Tahoe Rim Trail Association

Even though the CA Department of Water

Resources tells us that we’ve only received 60 percent of the normal amount of snow this winter, the TRTA has managed to pull off a fun season of snowshoe hikes around the basin. Led by volunteers and our other stellar partners, these snowshoe tours gave nearly 200 participants the chance to explore the TRT in winter, learn about avalanche safety, study winter animal survival strategies, and snowshoe stargaze. Thanks for a great season on stunning winter trails! But the fun’s not over yet; as our (mildly underwhelming)

winter snow melts, we are gearing up for trainings, programs and more. This spring, you can look forward to the Spring Speaker Series in partnership with Cabela’s and REI of Reno, as well as Ambassador and Guide Trainings.

And as the summer approaches, be on the lookout for our schedule of free public hikes, wildflower walks and full moon strolls. It feels like as soon as one trail season ends, the next is already upon us. Here’s to the coming spring and summer, and to another set of incredible TRTA hikes and programs.

by Tom RodriguezDirector Of Trail Use

Tom’s Happy Trails

T hanks to those of you who have helped us stay true to our commitment to the environment by opting for e-communications from the TRTA. This program

has worked extremely well and therefore we have decided to expand it to our Trailblazer Newsletter. This copy of the Trailblazer will be our last printed version before we transition to a web based version to go green! For the next edition of the Trailblazer you will receive an email with a link to access the Trailblazer. If you do not have access to the web or would simply like to continue receiving the printed version please call us at 775-298-0012 and let us know. Whatever format you receive your Trailblazer in, we hope you enjoy and thank you for your support!

Fjeldheim - Tahoe Mountain Home Stateline, NV

Cedar House Sport Hotel Truckee, CA

www.tahoemountainhome.comwww.cedarhousesporthotel.com

Welcome Kelly Phillips!

Our newest AmeriCorps Member digs in.

A pparently we have good karma here at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association because we were lucky enough to have Kelly Phillips join our team on March 11th.

Kelly is our newest AmeriCorps member, and will be serving as the TRTA’s Volunteer Coordinator until the end of August. She’ll be working with our guides to organize the public hiking program, assisting our trail work parties, coordinating volunteers for the Backcountry Trail Work Camp, attending outreach events, and helping on a slew of other projects to recruit and support TRTA volunteers.

Trailside Inn PartnersLooking for a place to stay this summer before you hike the Tahoe Rim Trail? Check out our Trailside Inn Partners who support the TRTA. Do you own a lodge, inn or hotel in Lake Tahoe? If so, visit tahoerimtrail.org to see how you can become a Trailside Inn Partner and start connecting to our many users!

Coming to us from the hills of Western Massachusettes, Kelly is ready to take on the mountains with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association!

National Trails Day What better way to celebrate trails than to help build one!

Join us June 1, 2013 for National Trails Day on the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. National Trails Day is an annual event spearheaded by the American Hiking Society to celebrate America’s more than 200,000 miles of trails. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association will be celebrating National Trails Day by kicking off our 2013 trail season building new trail within the Van Sickle Bi State Park. Come out and show your love for trails! This event will run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. Preregistration is required. Visit our website www.tahoerimtrail.org for more information and to register. See you June 1st!

Backcountry Camps A great, unique way to experience The Trail, while giving back.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is excited to announce the dates for our 2013 Backcountry Camps. This year the TRTA will host two backcountry camps: a three day camp August 2-4 and a two day camp August 17-18. Backcountry Camps are a Tahoe Rim Trail tradition and a

great opportunity to give back to the trails you love, spend a few nights out under the stars, and enjoy the company of a fantastic group of fellow trail enthusiasts. Both camps will be held near the Mt. Rose Summit Trailhead and are appropriate for car camping - packing gear into the backcountry not required! The success of these fun camps requires all hands on deck! We are currently looking for trail work volunteers to build and maintain the trail under the direction of our talented crew leaders as well as kitchen volunteers to keep everyone feed (read: happy)! No experience is necessary. Volunteers provide their own personal camping gear and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association will provide meals, group camping equipment, tools, and safety equipment. Registration for these camps is now FREE thanks to generous grant support from the NV Energy Foundation, so register today! For more information or to register visit our website.

Livin’ it up in Backcountry Camps: We keep our Backcountry Camp volunteers well fed!

Get Out! Your Guide to Getting Out By Getting In

With The TRTA This Spring and Summer.

Spring Trainings 2013 Join our Team! Each spring the Tahoe Rim Trail Association organizes a series of trainings for our trails community. This year we are very excited to offer Guide, Crew Leader, and Ambassador workshops. We have opportunities for folks interested in joining our illustrious ranks as guides and crew leaders as well as trainings for our seasoned vets to hone skills and practice in the field. Training events include New Crew Leader Training May 18-19 and Guide Training June 22-23 in Incline Village, NV. For more information about these and our other training opportunities, please visit our website today.

Backcountry Skill CoursesReady to take your backcountry skills to the next level? Day hikes can be fun, but backpacking and camping are downright invigorating! Join TRTA Volunteer Instructors as they share years of trail experience with you in our Backcountry Skill Courses. Whether you join Backpacking 10 or Women’s Backpacking 101, you will be impressed with the level of instruction and information you receive. During these educational and experiential overnight programs, you will learn to plan and prepare for backpacking adventures, cook in the backcountry, dress appropriately for conditions, and mitigate risk and environmental impact along the trail.

We Want You!: Many hands make light work and there are many opportunities for you to help the TRTA build and maintain trails this year.

Youth Backcountry Camps Adventure, fun and skill-building for teens Our Youth Backcountry Camps are backpacking adventures that take teens into the majestic Lake Tahoe backcountry to learn backpacking, backcountry field skills, wilderness first aid (WFA), camp cooking, wilderness navigation and outdoor leadership skills. You’ll be guided by experienced and trained instructors from the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science and the American Red Cross. Join us for a unique summer experience connecting with peers and learning from Tahoe’s beautiful backcountry.

Summer Hikes Guided hikes for all ability levels Didn’t make it out this winter for a public snowshoe hike? Or maybe you’re more interested in exploring Tahoe when it’s warm and sunny? Either way, our summer public hikes are the perfect way to get some exercise, make new friends and see our local wildflowers bloom. Whether you’re interested in a long, challenging trek across a mountainside or prefer a leisurely stroll through a flowering meadow, these hikes are sure to leave you with lasting memories of our trail like no other.

Youth Backcountry Camp Dates YBCC-WFA (5-day, 14 – 17 year olds) – July 14-18YBCC (6-day, 14 – 17 year olds) – July 21-26YBCC (3-day, 12 – 15 year olds) – July 28-30

For more information, contact Hayley Walker at 775-298-0238 or programs@tahoerimtrail.org

Youth Backcountry Camps grow a love for the outdoors, while teaching essential backcountry skills through mentorship with our experienced instructors.

TRAIL BLAZER | Spring/Summer 2013 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association 5

Is hiking portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail on your bucket list? Do you love a new adventure? Are you grateful for incredible vistas? When you answer “yes” to any or all of these questions, we invite you to step up to your next adventure: the Trail Challenge!

What is the Trail Challenge?The Trail Challenge is a brand new program for TRTA members, and an outrageously fun way to complete portions of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail while supporting the TRTA. We have selected six premier destination day-hikes for your enjoyment. Your challenge is to complete all six by the end of 2013. You can do this on horseback, foot, mountain bike, snowshoes, or skis. The adventure can be experienced on your own, with friends, family members, or colleagues – you choose!

Once you register for the Trail Challenge, the adventure begins! You will receive an inaugural Tahoe Rim Trail Challenge T-shirt and access to everything Trail Challenge. Registration includes special admission to the Trail Challenge members-only website where you can track your hikes, share images of your experience on the trail, access GPS waypoints to the 2013 Trail Challenge destinations, and connect with friends and make new friends.

So, how does it work?Beginning on May 15, register for the Trail Challenge on the TRTA website, www.tahoerimtrail.org. Current TRTA members are automatically eligible and pay the discounted $20 per person Trail Challenge registration fee.

Not a TRTA member? Join for the first time or renew your TRTA membership when you register for the Trail Challenge! New and renewing members will pay the full program price of $55 and receive all of the benefits of the Trail Challenge plus a one year individual TRTA membership. Use the inaugural Trail Challenge to motivate your social group or whole business to get fit and have fun outdoors this summer.

Spread the word, tell your friends and hit the trail! The Trail Challenge is a wonderful family-friendly and healthy way to

create lasting memories while having fun hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the Tahoe Rim Trail!

Up for the challenge? We know you are! Visit www.tahoerimtrail.org this May to register. We would like to honor our top sponsors for the Tahoe Rim Trail Challenge: Spin Games, NV Energy, and REI!

HOW IT WORKS: We select six incredibly scenic points on the Tahoe Rim Trail for the inaugural Trail Challenge. Picture waterfalls, alpine lakes, geologic sites, and striking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain ranges. You hike, bike, snowshoe, ski, or ride horseback to each of the specific destinations in 2013! Track your achievements and share photos on the Trail Challenge website (only accessible to Trail Challenge participants) and social media pages Enjoy special treats, a Trail Challenge T-shirt, and invitations to select guided hikes for TRTA Members only. The Trail Challenge officially kicks off on National Trails Day, June 1 (participants do not need to be present). Register at www.tahoerimtrail.org beginning this May. Fee: $20 for current TRTA members, $55 for new and renewing members.

Trail ChallengeYou are invited to participate in our Inaugural Trail Challenge! Kick off this summer with a fun, new TRTA outdoor adventure .

Bob AndersonJim BackhusPhil Brisack Teresa CrimmensLarry Davis Bill DohertyMichael DurandGerry Eick Jackie FerekClay GrubbBill Hager Jerry HeitzlerMichael HunterKevin Joell

Chuck Kelly Joe MaherJohn McCallJohn McKennaPatrick PeveyDave SchnakeDorea ShoemakerGina SilvernaleEd SmithDave StevensonMike StoneChris Strohm Bill Weik

S pring has sprung on Trail Operations and things are

gearing up quickly for another fantastic trail season. Volunteers are being recruited, tools are being sharpened, groups are signing up, and trainings are scheduled! Our trail building season kicks off on June 1st and it will be a race against Mother Nature’s clock to meet our goals before the snow flies again! As a warm up we’ll start with our annual trail log out, in which our crew of dedicated sawyers remove over a hundred downed trees that have fallen into the trail this past fall and winter. Volunteers will haul chainsaws and cross cuts to remote corners of the trail to ensure that the entire 165+ mile loop is free and clear of major obstacles. With downed trees removed from the trail, we’ll set our sights on finishing the Daggett Reroute Project. This multiyear project has included building a connector trail between the Tahoe Rim Trail and Van Sickle Bi State Park and rerouting four miles of the TRT off a road and onto forested single track trail. It will be completed this summer with the construction of a mere two miles of trail on the Daggett North East Loop, which will circle behind the North Kingsbury Neighborhood. Work crews will be trail building there on Tuesdays and

Saturdays in June and July. When our crews finish up the Daggett North East Loop they’ll receive a great big pat on the back for an excellent job well done! That pat will actually be a bit of a nudge northward where we will start up work in the Mt. Rose Trailhead area. Work will vary

but will include rehabilitation on the waterfall trail, installation of trail signs and finish work on the Rim to Reno project, and major maintenance work on the TRT between Rose Knob and Relay Peak. Work parties will take place on various Thursdays and Saturdays starting in August. In addition (did I mention big goals!) we will also be completing maintenance work on sections of trail at Big Meadows West, Barker Pass South, Echo Lakes North, Desolation Wilderness, and Brockway Summit East. We realize we have lofty ambitions but many hands make for light(er) work and we have the greatest hands helping us. For more information about where you can catch us on the trail please visit our webpage! Lindsey and I are excited to dig in and catch up with all of our amazing volunteers. Come out and share a laugh, play in the dirt, and build a legacy this summer!

The Dirt On Trail Operations Spring cleaning and some exciting new trails ahead

by Morgan FesslerDirector Of Operations

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Book of Official TRTA Records First blind person to complete the trailTrevor “ZeroZero” Thomas, 2011 #1243

Longest period of time to complete 165 milesPeggy Cecchettini 60 years! From 1947 – 2007 #637Chris Libby 37 years – 1974 – 2011 #1174

Most times hiked the entire trailEllen Goldsmith – 8 times and she’s guided the TRTA Thru Hike 5 times plus one more this August!

First disabled incomplete paraplegic to complete the trail with forearm crutchesJon Arnow, 2010 #1166

First Person to complete the trail on two replaced knees:Rick Gallien #1347

First Executive Director to finish the trail twiceMary Bennington – Certificate #1350 Helped guide the Thru Hike in 2011, 2012 and will guide again in August 2013.

For the full Book of Official TRTA Records, please visit tahoerimtrail.org

Now’s your chance to get your name in the history books of the TRTA 2014! Please send in new entries and ideas for entries to: Tahoe Rim Trail Association 948 Incline Way Incline Village, NV 89451Or email: info@tahoerimtrail.org

Current Crew Leaders

Watermelon Power! The TRTA is fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers.

New Business Member! Nature’s Bakery Is Energy for Life’s Great Journeys

We would like to highlight our new business & corporate member Nature’s Bakery, a local, all-natural snack foods company that supports health conscious living and active lifestyles. Founded in 2010 by father and son Dave and Sam Marson, its mission is to bake delicious all-natural snack foods that are affordable and convenient for everyone. Nature’s Bakery offers an assortment of wholesome fig bars that come in stone ground whole wheat and vanilla flavors. Using clean, simple, natural ingredients, Nature’s Bakery snacks are great for health conscious on-the-go lifestyles. Nature’s Bakery is proud to become a member of the TRTA and also a sponsor of the TRTA Ambassador Program & National Trails Day. With Lake Tahoe practically in their backyard, the owners of Nature’s Bakery feel compelled to support a local organization that encourages outdoor activity and promotes environmental stewardship. To learn more about our new business partner visit them at www.naturesbakery.com and at Facebook.com/naturesbakery.

Chuck Kelly Joe MaherJohn McCallJohn McKennaPatrick PeveyDave SchnakeDorea ShoemakerGina SilvernaleEd SmithDave StevensonMike StoneChris Strohm Bill Weik

TRAIL BLAZER | Spring/Summer 2013 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association 7

Leave Your Legacy Join the Rim Trail Legacy Circle Today!

Have you considered including the Tahoe Rim Trail Association in your will or trust? By doing so, you help leave a legacy and insure the Tahoe Rim Trail is here for future generations to come! By leaving a charitable bequest to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, you help protect and preserve the trail. You can make a bequest to the TRTA by naming us in your will or trust or by designating us as a beneficiary on bank or brokerage accounts, 401(k), individual retirement accounts, or life insurance policies. If you choose to include the TRTA in your will, please use the following suggested wording: I give, devise and bequeath to the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation (EIN 88-0362053) for the Tahoe Rim Trail Endowment, its successors forever the sum of ($) or (%) percent of my estate (or a specific piece of property); or all the rest , residue and remainder of my estate. If you have a personal preference of where you would like your funds to go to besides the Endowment Fund please specify. For more information about ways to make a gift through your will or estate plan contact Mary Bennington, Executive Director by phone at (775) 298-0233 or by email: maryb@tahoerimtrail.org

Miles and VistasJoin our Adopt-a-Vista or Adopt-a-Mile program!

Are you looking for a unique way to honor a loved one, create a family or business tribute, or give a special birthday or anniversary gift? Joining our Adopt-a-Vista or Adopt-a-Mile program is a great way to support the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. This tax deductible donation of $5,000 helps fund our annual operations, including trail enhancement & maintenance, guided hikes, youth backcountry camps and programs, and trail education and outreach. As an Adopt-a-Vista/Mile donor, your name will be listed on our website and on donor panels at the nearest trailhead kiosks. You will receive a photo plaque that includes a photo from your vista or mile and a map showing its GPS coordinates. For more information, please contact Mary Bennington at 775-298-0233 or maryb@tahoerimtrail.org , or stop by the TRTA office at 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451.

948 Incline WayIncline Village, NV 89451

Trail BlazerThe Official Publication of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

Paid Permit No 200

Reno, NV

We would like to thank our 2012 Business & Corporate Members

who’ve invested in the future of the Tahoe Rim Trail!