August 2024
News From the Trail

Tailwind Stories

~ photo by Steve Swinford

I was reading one of my favorite magazines, Adventure Cycle’s semi-monthly magazine. The article was “Be a Better Climber”. It sparked my interest since I love biking up hills, but speed is not part of the equation! But it got me thinking, what do I want to be “better” at!

As Janet Phillips said, if you reach your goals, you didn’t dream high enough. This has been on my mind over the past year and a half. So, my answer to what I want to be better at is measured by the success of the TPT and how we impact our community.

Mark’s article provides an answer to that; read his article in this newsletter. We’ve put structure into the organization. He is involved in community outreach. We are moving forward with closing in on the grant for the feasibility study. We continue to explore a new trail from Mayberry to Quilici. Our board is a working board, and we put in a great deal of time and effort. We are and will continue to work on the betterment of the TPT.

In July, there was a meeting that several board members attended held at Reno City Hall. It was to educate the community about the Truckee River Vision Plan. Many groups were represented at this meeting, including water crafters, landowners, hikers and bikers, and people concerned with the environment. The TPT plays a major role in this vision. The maintenance and development of our trail is considered an integral part of this plan.

This meeting reminded me that so many factors play into the success of our Trail because it goes through urban, rural, industrial, utility and privately-owned lands. Each section has its challenges and beauty. And no matter what our activity is, from water sports, hiking, biking and enjoying the beautiful parks along the way, we need to look at this corridor from a broader perspective. If the trail is poorly maintained, we suffer. If the river is unhealthy, we suffer. Wildlife needs a healthy environment to thrive. It all matters! Read the article about the impact we are having on the Truckee River and what steps we need to take to care for that resource.

So, what do I want to be better at on a personal level? A better steward of the ecosystem along the Truckee corridor, from the top of the cottonwoods to the deepest part of the river. How about you?

Donations matter. Maintenance is a priority, and I hope we can break trail soon on our westerly direction.
When on the trail or in the river, if you see trash, pick it up. Organize a clean-up with some of your friends.
Take the survey on our website or at the trailheads so we have data on the usage of the trail.
Take the time to really listen to the river. Respect Mother Earth and her glory.

“I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want” ~ Andy Warhol

Mary Beth Roselli, Chair of the TPT Board

A Word from our Executive Director ~

My First Year

It’s hard to believe a full year has passed since I joined the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail as its first paid Executive Director. My favorite thing over the past year has been meeting and getting to know so many interesting and vibrant people in our region who share much of the same passion as Janet Phillips had since she introduced the idea for a trail from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. And I am so pleased that there is no shortage of continued support and enthusiasm for the TPT.

It’s been a very productive year for the TPT. We have been putting a lot of time and effort into keeping the trail well-maintained and we are laying the groundwork for future growth, with staffing, advisors, volunteers, community outreach and plans for completing and improving the trail.

This year, we updated the TPT Strategic Plan to provide a revived focus for the next 3-5 years, and we are very close to securing a grant for an alternative transportation corridor feasibility study to identify the best route to fill in all of the trail gaps between east Sparks and Wadsworth including a trail spur to Fernley. Additionally, members of the Trail Expansions Committee have spent a great deal of time this year exploring possible new routes from Mayberry Park to Crystal Peak Park (Quilici Ranch Road) that would offer new route options off of the major roadways and in many cases, closer to the Truckee River. I also spent a fair bit of time working with the City of Reno, Washoe County, and other stakeholders on the Truckee River Vision Plan.

The Board and staff have been dedicated to improving our organizational structure by developing policies and procedures that will help to set the TPT up for future growth. I know it’s not always the most visible work to our supporters, but is vital to our continued growth and development, building operational procedures and policies, developing purchasing procedures and equipment inventories, and reviewing our insurance coverage for all of our equipment and volunteers.

Finally, over this past year, Commitee Charters have been developed for each of the five existing committees: Maintenance & Construction, Fundraising & Outreach, Finance & Budget, Communications & Marketing, Trail Expansion and we added a sixth committee, the Volunteer Committee which is looking for members. So, if you are looking for a way to get more involved with the TPT, please let me know and I will share any of the Charter documents with you to help you decide how to become more involved with the team.

I appreciate your time and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some of the things we have been up to this past year, and ….

I look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Sincerely,

Mark

Mark Cameron, Exectuvie Director of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail

For the Love of a River

~ photo by Steve Swinford

We are fortunate to have the mighty Truckee River flowing from the “stunning Lake Tahoe to the majestic desert terminus of Pyramid Lake.” And for many during the summer, time is spent in the water. So, the health of the Truckee is very important to us and the wildlife underneath the surface.

I’ve seen more rafters this summer than ever before, both in downtown Reno and Tahoe City. Fisher people are flyfishing and casting from the shoreline in numbers never seen before. Families and friends are picnicking along the shore. The question is, are we showing the Truckee River the respect we need to show so that we have a healthy ecosystem?

I had a chance to speak to Steve Swinford, an avid fisherman who knows the river extremely well. My guess is that he has his feet in the river more days than not! You can see him fishing but he also takes the time to clean up the rubbish left behind in and along the river. He is a great steward of our river!

The takeaway I got from our conversation was several things:

1. Pack it in, pack it out! This includes everyone recreating in or along the river. Nevada law states that littering is defined as leaving garbage on or within 1,000 feet of a highway or waterway and the penalty can be up to $1000 and up to 6 months in jail.

2. Erosion is occurring along the banks. Use existing or designated spots to enter and depart from the river.

3. Always try to be at least 200’, if possible, away from any river or lake to pee.

The Truckee provides about 85% of our drinking water. Think about that the next time you are floating down the river or sitting along the banks. There is a delicate balance that is required to keep the Truckee and the lakes healthy. We can all do our part. “Be a part of the solution, not the pollution. “

If you would like to learn more about the Truckee River quality and how you can help, check out One Truckee River website:

About Us — One Truckee River

TMRPA One Region Event

TPT will have a table at the annual TMRPA (Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency) at the Peavine Picnic Pavillion at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

The event runs from 11am - 2pm on Saturday, August 17th. Come by and see what our upcoming plans are for the TPT, then visit with local partners to learn about future plans for the Truckee Meadows!

For more information, go to: TMRPA’s Annual One Region Event

Thanking one of our community supporters!

The TPT appreciates the continued support from Reno Running Company for their generous donations and recognition of the TPT during the Reno Tahoe Odyssey (formerly produced by Race178) every year since the first one in 2005!

One of our TPT Advisors Jim Kidder has organized a lengthy exchange point along the route for many years, and we appreciate his efforts along with his many returning volunteers who are also supporters of the TPT.

Our community certainly shares its mutual appreciation of the outdoors with all of us!

Learn About the Ways You Can Donate to TPT >

Learn About Volunteering For TPT >

Learn More About the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail >

Please Report Trail Problems Here >

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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.