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September 2025
News From the Trail

From the Chair

Seven Hundred Fifty-Two

That’s the number of people like you who have contributed to help realize the vision of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, representing twenty-one years of giving. I am in awe of the level of support this epic trail has generated and filled with gratitude for the gifts made. All together there are almost 2,000 people who use or follow the development of the trail, and it’s not just in our region.

I was genuinely surprised when reviewing our database to discover people hailing from states throughout the country including not just the obvious Nevada and California, but also Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Maine, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska, Montana, New Mexico and Ohio. The scale of the project is clearly appreciated by people throughout the country.

In response to our recent call for support, dozens of donors renewed their interest by providing a current gift. The annual gifts made by this core group, our Century Circle donors, are truly the fuel that enables our outstanding group of volunteers and leaders to push this project forward, hopefully to completion before too long.

Please accept grateful thanks from the Board, volunteers, and perhaps most importantly, the trail users, for your commitment and generosity. If you have not yet given this year, please consider using this link to make your gift today.

Donate

Our strength is that we’re a large team with a single focused objective. That’s how epic projects get done, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thanks again, and see you on the trail!

~ Chris Askin, Chair of the TPT Board

Farewell to Our Good Friend, James Rohling Kidder

James Kidder may have left this earth, but his legacy remains. He was a strong proponent and generous donor to the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (TPT), along with his wife, Mary Ann. He was a board member starting in the early years and worked alongside the early adopters of TPT on many projects, including the construction of major sections of the Truckee Canyon. He will be remembered fondly for his dedication and his personal connection to Janet Phillips, founder of the TPT.

He was also TPT’s connection to the Reno Tahoe Odyssey (RTO) annual race. From the race’s beginning many years ago, Jim acted as the TPT volunteer coordinator for the RTO’s Verdi checkpoint. He and his wife, Mary Ann, would be at the checkpoint from 6:30 in the morning until the last runner went by, while his volunteer crews would work in shifts. He would start off the day with a box of donuts to be enjoyed by his TPT volunteers throughout the day.

Each year he would say it was his last – and each year until this past year, he took up the mantle. He didn’t do the checkpoint this year (2025), but he checked in and mingled with everyone at the orientation meeting prior to the race.

He was also a patron of the Arts, as mentioned in his “Life Story” in the RGJ. He served on many community boards throughout his life. His memorial will be held at the Pioneer Theatre on September 13th at 4:00 p.m. Members from the Reno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, and the Reno Jazz Orchestra will be performing.

Read more about Jim and his amazing life:

Read Article

~Mary Beth Roselli and Maddy Shipman

Navigating the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail Through Reno

I just received a great question from a cyclist who rides through Idlewild Park in Reno. People had told her that while cycling, she was not allowed to ride on the path. So, this weekend, I took a stroll to find out how the trail is marked on that segment. It is a heavily used section of trail, and you must be mindful no matter how you are moving! Also, keep in mind that the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (TPT) uses existing trails and paths, so it may venture off the RiverPath due to heavily used portions of the trail. An example is Idlewild Park.

From Mayberry Park to Idlewild Park, TPT directs cyclists and pedestrians to cross over Strawberry Bridge and follow Aspen Glen Drive. This leads you to Mayberry Drive, where cyclists take a right and ride on the shoulder. Pedestrians can follow the path that veers left, which will take them under Mayberry Drive and into Dorostkar Park. There is a bike/pedestrian path from Dorostkar Park to Mayberry Drive, a short distance. Otherwise, cyclists should remain on Mayberry Drive because it’s a heavily used park and congested.

Cyclists and pedestrians will end up on Mayberry Drive heading east until they take a turn onto Edgewater Parkway and a right onto Riverhaven Drive, which will lead them to a paved path at Schiappacasse River Parkway. There will be a shared path that will take you into Crissie Caughlin Park. At this point, cyclists are directed to Idlewild Drive and pedestrians remain on the paved path and sidewalks until Idlewild Park.

In Idlewild Park, TPT suggests bikes continue on Idlewild Drive and bypass the park. If you do go into the park, bikes are allowed on the paths that are labeled “Bike Path”. Some trails are clearly marked “No Bikes”, so be aware that you must stay on the correct path! Pedestrians are allowed on any of the paths. Keep in mind, this is a heavily congested portion of the RiverTrail. Take it slowly if you are on a bike and make sure the people in front of you are aware that you are behind them. Announce if you are going to pass them.

After exiting Idlewild Park, TPT continues across Booth Street, so cyclists should follow the road and turn left. Pedestrians will follow the sidewalk, and then all will go right onto Riverside Drive. Cyclists will remain on the road, and pedestrians can then join the paved path along the Truckee. Both groups will then go back to sharing the path at Ralston and W. First Street. At this point, cyclists and pedestrians will remain on a shared path through Reno to East Sparks.

When on a shared path, make sure to travel at a safe speed. Announce before you pass someone so they are aware. Keep your dogs on a leash! Be kind!

Calling All Photographers

This is our third year of holding a photo contest for images taken along the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail. We always get so many during the beautiful fall season, but any time of the year is gorgeous. We are blessed to have mountains, rivers, and mainly sunny skies!

Here are a few tips on taking photos outside:

Lighting: The best time to shoot is an hour after dawn and an hour before dusk. Overcast days, too, are great - no shadows.
Rule of Thirds: Divide your photo into nine sections and look for intersections that may help offset your image, making it more interesting.
Interesting foreground: This can add depth to your image.
Take different views: Position your camera high, low, and move to various spots to gain a different perspective.

Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. These are just a few suggestions that may help “frame” a shot.

Here are the categories:

Flora/Fauna
Landscape
Hiking
Biking

Submit your photos to photos@tptrail.org. Let us know where, on the trail, the images were taken. You can submit up to two in each category. You must agree that we can reprint them, giving you credit whenever we do use them. The deadline is October 31st, but there is no need to wait till then to submit. This contest is for amateur photographers. Winning images will be displayed on our social media sites and could be featured in brochures and other marketing materials.

Thank you to all who have submitted photos in the past. We are looking forward to your submissions.

~Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

October's Favorite Ride - Ride The Rez

We will again be offering the Ride the Rez on Sunday, October 12th. We will be leaving the parking lot at the Nixon Store at 9:30 am, and we will be riding upstream. One way is about 21-22 miles; there is pavement, dirt roads, and some single track. Suitable bikes are gravel and mountain bikes, preferably tubeless. The ride takes 2-3 hours to complete. This is not a beginner's ride.

Bill VonPhul will be providing transport for bikes at the end. He can typically take 20 bikes. The other option is to do an out-and-back, using the road or another route back, which makes for a nice day of riding!

Randy Collins of College Cyclery will be leading us out. Marie Norell and Bill will be supporting and carrying snacks. We will meet them somewhere along the route.

You must purchase a day-use permit for $22 per car. Carpooling is recommended and permits are available at: pyramidlake.us/permits.

There will be a sign-up sheet and a waiver of liability on the day of the ride. Make sure your bikes are in good working order. Helmets are required and no headphones. For ebikes, classes 1 and 2 are allowed. No class 3 please - these are the ones with a throttle.

Here is a link to the route:

Get Route Map

If the weather is inclement, an email will be sent to all who have signed up for the ride 2 hours in advance. To sign up, please email info@tptrail.org with the title “Ride the Rez”.

~Mary Beth Roselli, Past Chair of the TPT Board

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~ 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.