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February 2026
News From the Trail

Tailwind Stories

 

I am preparing to head to Yellowstone National Park for the very first time. Winter has always been a magical time for me and the thought of seeing Yellowstone surrounded by snow seemed perfect. I am also meeting a friend from New Jersey that I’ve shared a lot of fun adventures with so what better time to go! With the western states experiencing a dry season, I might not have picked the best year to go, but fingers crossed, there will be fresh snow while we are up there.


I am most interested in the wildlife found in Yellowstone, the gray wolf, bison, moose, and swans specifically but I’m anxious to see whatever unfolds in front of us. The geysers will also be a thrill to see.


We plan on traveling by x-country skies while staying in lodges. No winter camping for this girl! I thought I had better add this since friends have asked if camping was part of the experience. This is actually a Sierra Club organized trip, and we will have a guide with us to educate and make sure we have a good chance of seeing the wildlife.


Wolves have piqued my interest since reading Rick McIntyre’s “The Rise of Wolf 8”. He has followed the wolves for over 40 years and is an expert on their behavior. He was involved with reintroducing the wolf in the west and is still located in Yellowstone. I am hoping that we get a chance to meet him and hear some of his story with his wolf sightings. If you are interested in Wolf 8 and Rick’s observation of this little guy, here is a “This American Life” episode:

To experience a winter wonderland is paradise. I hope we see some amazing wildlife and enjoy the company of new friends. I can’t wait to share with you about my experience in next month's edition.


Go out and enjoy whatever the weather brings to us. The TPT is actually in pretty good shape right now. No excuses - get out and explore!

~ Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

 
 

The TPT Welcomes our new Board Member Eric Lerude 

 

Eric has a broad background, and you may know him best for the running races that he directed in the Reno-Tahoe area. Eric and his wife Stephanie founded the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure, the 178-mile relay run around our region. They started the relay the same year that Janet Phillips started the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail - 2003. Eric and Stephanie became friends with Janet and helped each other with their respective projects. Eric also is a retired attorney and he currently works as a senior planner for Robison Engineering.


Eric has a passion for trails, which are his haven from life’s stressors. He enjoys running, hiking and biking on trails, as well as helping to plan and build them. The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail is one of his favorites. He especially enjoys the section between Verdi, NV and Hirschdale, CA with the views of the Truckee River, Sierra Nevada peaks, and the passing trains.


Eric is a 3rd-generation Renoite. His other interests include travel, history, sports, community organizing, enjoying a hazy IPA, and camping in his teardrop trailer at a scenic destination.

~ Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

 
 

American Discovery 250 Coast to Coast Relay

 

Want to do something monumental to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States? How about hiking, biking, running, using a wheelchair, or horseback riding 6,800 miles in a relay event? The route follows the American Discovery Trail, which starts at the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, and finishes at the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware. They are looking for participants to complete whatever distance you choose, and for the overly ambitious, to create your own relay team and run the entire distance.


They will actually use a portion of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, the section from Palisades to Tahoe City. We hope to participate in some manner. We will keep you posted as more plans develop. We are very excited that they are using the TPT in their route.


The route goes through lands managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and numerous other state and local agencies throughout 15 states. So many small communities will be along the route and what an amazing way to discover and be a part of this adventure!


The event will start on the 4th of July in San Francisco and the intent is to end in Delaware on Thanksgiving Day. What a celebration that will be!


Here is the American Discovery website for all the details, and you can also sign up to be updated on the plans. They are looking for participants, support staff, and monetary donations. 

~ Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

 
 

A Strong Start: Volunteers Sow Seeds for Erosion Control

Late in January, TPT hosted its first volunteer event of the year: spreading native plant seeds on the bare soil above the Floriston Boardwalk. The goal of this project is to support long-term soil stabilization above the boardwalk by introducing a hearty mix of fast-rooting grasses along with slower growing, woody species. This event, originally scheduled in November 2025, was postponed due to inclement weather, but thanks to an unusually warm winter, our revegetation partners gave the green light to move forward and get seeds in the ground.


We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers and Robison Revegetation, who stepped up on short notice to help complete this important project. In addition to seeding efforts, volunteers tackled another critical task: excavating boardwalk support beams that had become buried by previous hillside erosion events. This proactive maintenance will help to extend the lifespan of our beloved boardwalk.

~ Catherine Escamilla, TPT Programs Coordinator

 
 

Celebrating our Board Members!

Bill von Phul started as a volunteer for the TPT in 2004, then joined the Board of Directors in 2008 and is our longest-termed board member! He was presented with a plaque of appreciation at our December 2025 board meeting in honor of his dedication to the TPT for over 21 years! Bill’s focus on the maintenance and construction for the TPT has been invaluable over the years. If you happen to see Bill on the Trail, please feel free to thank him for his continued support, knowledge and amazing work to keep our Trail in tip-top shape!

~ Mark Cameron, President/CEO

 
 

Bird Watching along the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail

photo by Lori Bellis

A few years ago, we collected data on why people were using the TPT. Most of the replies were either hiking or biking, but it was nice to see a sizable portion were birders. I spotted a bald eagle while hiking from Quilici Ranch Road, not far down the trail last week, which made me want to know more about the birds you can find along the trail. It also reminds me to bring a pair of binoculars when I am walking along the Truckee.


The Lahontan Audubon Society offers field trips along the TPT and throughout the area. They are conducting a field trip to Mayberry Park on February 20th. Please check out their website for more information on their activities. Their website has some amazing photos and is very informative. Take some time to browse their website:

Pyramid Lake is home to the American White Pelican. They nest in the riparian portions along the lake in spring and summer. Pyramid Lake, specifically Anaho Island, has one of the largest breeding colonies in the Western United States. Bird counts show approximately 6,500 pairs of nesting pelicans on the island. 


The pelicans nest in large groups and their nests are at ground level. Both parents will construct the nest out of dirt, gravel, and small sticks with a width of about 2 feet and height of about 8 inches. Parents stay together during the breeding season and sit on the eggs, typically two, for approximately 30 days. Around 20 days after hatching, the young are able to leave the nest. They then form pods or creches, a group of young birds, for protection. Around 10 weeks old, they can fly. The breeding season is from April to September. They mate only for the season but will work together to raise the younglings until they fly away.


You can identify them by their white plumage, up to a 9-foot wingspan, and black wing tips. They have a large yellow-orange beak and pouch and fly with their necks towards their body. Cranes extend their necks while flying.


We are very fortunate to have such a variety of species available right in your backyard and along the Truckee River.


To learn about the birds you might see along the TPT and other locations, Lahontan Audubon has done a great job of creating this guide:



Happy birding!

~ Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

 
 
 

~ Photo by Addy Garibay

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Tahoe-Pyramid Trail is a 501(c)3 Non-profit Organization. Trail building, maintenance, and access is the result of many collaborations and partnerships with private landowners, private donors, utilities, state and local government agencies, other non-profit organizations, local businesses, community leaders, as well as a small army of dedicated volunteers, all of whom are valued trail partners and whose supporting efforts are critical to continued trail health.

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Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, 4790 Caughlin Parkway, Box 138, Reno, NV 89509, United States

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