Hundreds of people walk and bike “The Crooked Mile” in Idlewild Park every day.  Over the past two months, many stopped to check out the installation of a new monument between the trail and the river. With a substantial stone base and large footprint, the project caught people’s attention. As the monument grew with beautiful wood, iron, and a metal roof, there was lots of curiosity.

The location of the monument to the TPT and our Founder, Janet Phillips, directly connected to the trail by a beautiful stone patio, was made possible by the City of Reno. Three years in the making, the monument was engineered by Mike Smith of Robison Engineering, much of the wooden structure was constructed by our own amazing Bill Von Phul, and with substantial panel design help by Mark Kimbrough. The contractor, B.E.L. Construction provided the expertise to bring it all together. They all did a beautiful job and we are very proud of the final product.

In mid-May, a group of more than 100 volunteers and donors gathered for the unveiling. The monument is at the eastern end of the park, near the parking lot where The Crooked Mile cuts off Idlewild Drive following the river. I hope you will stop by and check it out. The effort has resulted in storytelling at its best. The history of the development of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail is described along with recognition of volunteers, donors, and a special story of Janet’s inspirational leadership. There is also a timeline of the major developments of the trail.

Of course, the story isn’t over and in many ways the biggest developments and improvements are still to come. Thank you again for the support you provide and most importantly, enjoy the TPT this summer … it’s going to be epic!

~ Chris Askin,TPT Board Chair

I had the opportunity to cycle in Southern Spain in May. It was centered in the Andalusia region, known for its pueblos blancos, or white villages. We were in the presence of the other Sierra Nevada mountain range. The tour took us, Andy, my partner, Sarah and Bruce Bousfield, over 350 miles and 35,000 feet of elevation! Quite a challenging ride but worth every pedal stroke!

We cycled in northern Spain several years ago and were eager to return to explore more. Southern Spain was more challenging due to the climbing. However, as in the north, the roads were in great shape, with respectful drivers. Each morning, my goal was to reach a pueblos blancos for lunch and enjoy the tapas. The trick was to arrive before everything closed for siesta!

Spain has many historical and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Every town we stayed in had cathedrals or palaces worth exploring, if our legs allowed. Cities typically featured narrow cobblestone streets, alleys, and plazas with restaurants and bars offering outdoor seating. Towns come alive at night with everyone outside, making for a very social culture. These vibrant evenings are my fondest memories of the day.

Historically speaking, Córdoba has La Mezquita, which began as an Islamic temple in 784 before becoming a Catholic Church in 1236. The blend of architectural styles is unique. Each spring, the Festival de los Patios takes place there, when residents decorate courtyards with flowers. We came during the festival, and I highly recommend it to garden enthusiasts. Finally, the Guadalquivir River runs through Córdoba and continues to Seville, our last stop.

Granada was another favorite, known for the Alhambra and its Islamic architecture. We cycled to Ronda, built on a mountaintop edge. A deep gorge splits the old and new city, connected by an 18th-century bridge. Ronda's bullfighting ring is now a museum and is worth a visit. To see an actual bullfight, go to Seville; while there, we enjoyed the Alcazar Palace and the Seville Cathedral, the largest in the world. They also have a beautiful bike/cycling path along the Guadalquivir River which we certainly enjoyed. Factoid: Ferdinand Magellan began his journey from Seville in 1519 on this river and Columbus is buried in the Cathedral. 

Our biggest cycling challenge was El Torcal, outside Antequera. It’s a national park and a UNESCO site with unusual limestone formations. Although the turnoff is only 2 miles, it climbs over 11%—be prepared for a long slog. Still, the views were worth it. At the top, we saw Spanish Ibexes, a sign we were in the clouds!

Every day brought on a new perspective of what Spain has to offer: from UNESCO sites, flamenco dancing, bullfighting rings, strolling musicians while sitting outside, to the sampling of local wines and food. Every town has something unique to offer and the area was an amazing cycling opportunity.

Adventures, near or far, feed the soul. This summer, I hope you find one that brings you joy. Let it fill your soul.

~ Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

We are thrilled to announce that 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing is now a proud sponsor of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail! Our sponsors play a huge role in supporting volunteer events, maintenance, and safety on the trail. If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor of the TPT, please contact us at sponsor@tptrail.org. Below are a few words from our newest sponsor; you can learn more about them by visiting their website: 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing

10 Torr Distilling is proud to support organizations and initiatives that strengthen the outdoor community and help preserve access to the places that make Northern Nevada unique. As a Reno-founded brand, we believe in building meaningful partnerships that connect people through adventure, community, and the outdoors. We’re excited to support the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, especially the section connecting Mogul to Verdi, which creates greater access and connectivity for cyclists, runners, walkers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the region. 

“As someone who frequently rides this trail system, it’s exciting to see projects like this continue to grow and connect our communities,” said Trevor Leppek, Director of Brand Advocacy for 10 Torr Distilling. “At 10 Torr, we’re committed to supporting the outdoor community and giving back to the region that has supported us from the beginning. We’re proud to be involved in helping create spaces that people can enjoy for years to come.”

Consider stopping into the 10 Torr Taproom after your next ride or walk along the TPT. Their outdoor patio is the perfect place to kickback and enjoy a refreshing cocktail, mocktail, or draft beer on a hot day!

~ Trevor Leppek (10 Torr) and Catherine Escamilla (TPT) 

Originally from Decatur, Illinois, Sam attended the University of Illinois with plans to major in herpetology—the study of reptiles & amphibians. However, after taking a geology class, he discovered a new passion and changed course, ultimately earning a BS from the University of Illinois and an MS from the University of Southern California (where he met his future spouse Gayle).

During his college years, he worked in the summer for mining companies. Those jobs took him far afield—from Lapland (northern Finland) near the former USSR border to Alaska’s Brooks Range above the Arctic Circle.

After graduation, Sam worked for a major oil company as a petroleum geologist in Texas, with assignments from Russia to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Later, he returned to school to pursue a new passion for mapping with a masters degree in Geographic Information Science (GIS) at the University of Texas at Dallas. In 2003, he began a contracting role with the Energy Information Administration (EIA), where he combined his expertise in GIS and petroleum geology. 

When Gayle’s job brought them to Reno, Sam continued his work with the EIA. In 2004, after reading a Reno Gazette Journal article about Janet Phillips and the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway, he reached out to offer his GIS and mapping expertise. He has been creating maps for the organization ever since—now for over 20 years.

One of Sam’s proudest contributions is the development of a comprehensive digital database of all trail signs. This system tracks detailed information about each sign, helping guide maintenance efforts and budget planning for replacements. If you’ve noticed that many signs are now larger and more visible, you’ve seen the impact of his work firsthand.

In addition to his contributions here, Sam works part-time making maps for the Nevada Land Trust. Somehow, he balances all of this with his passion for travel, exploring the world.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Sam as our GIS expert and an active board member. His church is also a dedicated trail adopter, contributing many volunteer hours to maintain and clear a section of the Truckee Canyon—Sam’s favorite stretch of the trail.

Thank you Sam, for all that you have done.

~ Interview by Mary Beth Roselli with Sam Limerick

When my son Chandler was about to turn 14, several friends and I started talking about something that seems to be missing in modern culture: meaningful challenges that mark the transition from boyhood into manhood. Throughout history, many cultures have had rites of passage, creating experiences that called young men to step into greater responsibility, resilience, and maturity. Whether it is the modern take on the Japanese practice of Misogi or countless other traditions around the world, these challenges create defining moments. Today, many of those experiences have disappeared. 

Inspired in part by Michael Easter’s book The Comfort Crisis, my friends and I wanted to create something different for our sons and daughters. We live in an age of comfort, convenience, and well-intentioned “snowplow parenting,” where obstacles are often removed before our kids ever have to face them. Yet growth comes through challenges. Resilience, perseverance, and problem-solving are developed when things get hard, not when they stay easy. 

Since Chandler has discovered a love for mountain biking, the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail seemed like the perfect challenge. Last fall, we set out to ride 100+ miles together on the trail. 

The journey gave us the challenge we hoped for. There were muscle cramps, strong headwinds that made every mile harder, moments of exhaustion, and a few pep talks along the way. But there was also incredible beauty. We followed the Truckee River through brilliant fall colors, spotted wild mustangs, and experienced the dramatic contrast between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Biggest Little City. The trail offered a glimpse into the rugged landscape that shaped the pioneers who traveled before us and the challenges they faced. 

The experience created memories that Chandler and I will carry for years to come. While the ride was intended as his coming-of-age challenge, I discovered it was a bit of one for me as well. Not because I became a man, but because it reminded me that I’m not quite the young buck I once was. Just don’t tell Chandler that. 

A heartfelt thank you to the advocates and supporters of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail for creating and maintaining such an incredible resource that showcases the beauty of our region.

~ Craig Parish

If you're not already receiving this newsletter on a monthly basis and would like to in the future, please sign up now!

You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber.
If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe, click *{{Unsubscribe}}*

(C) 2026 Tahoe-Pyramid Trail. All rights reserved.