Legacy Trails Program Awardee

Building Resilience on the TRT/PCT

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association's (TRTA) Building Resilience on the TRT/PCT in Desolation Wilderness project focuses on addressing deferred maintenance and overuse of the shared section of the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Echo Lakes to Dicks Lake and a major connector trail, Bayview Trail. Bayview Trail is a major access trail from Bayview Trailhead into Desolation Wilderness. At present, Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead is a nearly 19-mile section of trail that has several sections that due to weather events and overuse have caused erosion and are unsafe for trail users. In addition, this stretch of trail has areas that are difficult or near impossible for equestrian access and use. This project would fix eroded sections of the trail by adding drainages and rock walls, widen sections of the trail for equestrian access, decommission unauthorized and unsafe trails, install new rock stairs, and where needed repair culverts, old non-functioning water bars, and stream crossings.

Applicant: Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Project Location: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Nevada
Amount Awarded: $94,300.00

By performing deferred maintenance and enhancing the trails to Forest Service standards, this project will make this extremely popular segment of trail that connects to numerous alpine lakes and pristine Wilderness more equestrian friendly and give trail users a safer and more enjoyable experience. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most popular wilderness areas in the United States, and this project will ensure that the trail is more resilient and enjoyable for the half a million trail users that access it annually. The TRTA will accomplish this work through our volunteer network and collaboration with the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), USFS partners, Backcountry Horsemen of California, youth groups, and conservation corps. Specifically, the TRTA will contract with the American Conservation Experience (ACE), California Conservation Corps (CCC), and Scouts of America to help perform trail maintenance on this segment of the trail. Crews ranging from 6 to 12 members will be led by experienced TRTA staff and volunteers, and camp in the backcountry of Desolation Wilderness. To help carry in tools, materials, or signs for trail crew work, the TRTA will also partner with the Backcountry Horsemen of California whom we’ve had a long-standing relationship on trail-related projects. In addition, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (USFS) will assist in any hazardous tree removal or technical trail maintenance that requires repairing culverts or blasting rocks. Lastly, PCTA will also contract with conservation corps to assist with performing maintenance activities on a portion of the trail between Echo Lakes and Lake Aloha.

Timeline of Accomplishments and Milestones:

Project Planning: January – April 2023

TRTA staff will coordinate with CCC and Scouts of America to schedule dates in June, July, or August 2023 for trail crews led by TRTA staff and volunteers to camp and work from Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead. The TRTA will secure the requisite work permits to work in Desolation Wilderness and break up this trail segment into several sections for TRTA volunteers, paid staff, youth groups, and conservation corps to plan work including where to cache tools and camp. The TRTA will also use this time to develop GIS tools and paper and electronic forms to track volunteer hours and trail work accomplishments.

Project Implementation: May – October 2023

Trail crews led by TRTA staff and volunteers will camp and work in and outside of Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead. The goal of this first year will be to execute deferred maintenance and improve the trail to USFS standards on 10 miles of this nearly 19-mile stretch of trail.

Project Reporting & Evaluation: November – December 2023

TRTA staff and volunteers will work together to gather and synthesize data and information on project accomplishments and what work remains for the following trail season in 2024. A detailed report will be finalized with photos and locations of key work accomplishments.

Project Planning: January – April 2024

TRTA staff will coordinate with ACE and youth groups to schedule dates in June, July, or August 2024 for trail crews led by TRTA staff and volunteers to camp and work in Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead. The TRTA plans to hire two ACE trail crews for two 8-day hitches. Based on the previous year's work accomplishments, the TRTA will break up this trail segment into several sections for TRTA volunteers, paid staff, youth groups, and civilian conservation corps to plan work including where to cache tools and camp.

Project Implementation: May – October 2024

Trail crews led by TRTA staff and volunteers will camp and work in the remaining sections of the trail in and outside of Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead. The goal of the second year will be to maintain the remaining nearly 9 miles of trail on this nearly 19-mile stretch of trail.

Project Reporting & Evaluation: November – December 2024

TRTA staff and volunteers will work together to gather and synthesize data and information on project accomplishments and what work remains (if any) for the following trail season in 2025. A detailed report will be finalized with photos and locations of key work accomplishments.

Project Outcomes:

1. Maintain the nearly 19-mile stretch from Echo Lakes to Bayview Trailhead, ensuring that the trail meets USFS Trail Management Objectives and Standards.

2. Address deferred maintenance on 14 miles of this nearly 19-mile stretch of trail.

3. Improve the trail from Echo Lakes to Dicks Lake so the trail is more accessible to equestrians and realign a small portion of the Bayview Trail by moving 200 feet of trail to a safer and more sustainable location for equestrian users.

4. Recruit and enlist a minimum of 20 youth to teach basic trail work skills and foster an appreciation for National Trail System trails and nature.

5. Recruit and enlist a minimum of 20 conservation corps members to develop professional skills and teach technical trail work.

6. Recruit and enlist a minimum of 100 volunteers of all ages and skill levels to support this community-based conservation project.