Nonprofit grants $45,000 to local organizations for trail maintenance

With higher trail usage in the Tahoe Region, many of the existing trails are being loved to death. The Tahoe Fund is hoping to help solve this issue through its Tahoe Trails Endowment. The nonprofit recently awarded $45,000 in grants from the endowment to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) to support trailwork on popular trails in the Tahoe Basin.

“The Tahoe Trails Endowment was created because our board and our donors recognize the importance of taking care of the trails we already have,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “These grants are great examples of the power of the endowment to generate annual funding support for much needed trailwork across the region.”

The TRTA’s Trail Segment Improvement Program was launched this summer to provide preventative maintenance on the 200-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Every year, the program will include work to repair trail tread, clear downed trees and drainages, fix erosion damage, and decommission braided trails on three segments. This summer, nearly 70 miles of trail along the busiest TRT segments in the Tahoe region will be improved: Big Meadow to Echo Lakes (18.3 miles), Barker Pass to Tahoe City (16.4 miles), and Echo Lakes to Barker Pass (32.5 miles). The work will be completed by volunteer and conservation corp crews.

“This iconic trail gains in popularity every year, and as more people use it, it requires more continuous care,” said Morgan Steele, Executive Director, TRTA. “We are grateful for the Tahoe Fund’s Tahoe Trails Endowment to help us stay on top of the maintenance needs of the Tahoe Rim Trail.” 

TAMBA, the first recipient of a Tahoe Trails Endowment grant in 2021, will continue its trail crew maintenance program this year with support from the Tahoe Fund. A five person paid trail crew will work on a variety of trails around the lake throughout the summer and fall seasons, managing unforeseen needs like removing downed trees, clearing rock fall and addressing erosion issues as they arise around the Basin. TAMBA is on track to perform maintenance on over 100 miles of trail in 2022.  

“The funding the Tahoe Fund provided last year for maintenance needs was instrumental to us quickly repairing trails after the Caldor Fire that people use often,” said Patrick Parsel, Trails Director, TAMBA. “Unforeseen challenges like downed trees and erosion issues created by storms can often pose the greatest threats to user safety and the environment, so they’re important to resolve quickly. This funding will allow us to do that.”

Established as a way to address the long-term needs of Tahoe’s growing trail network, the Tahoe Fund hopes to grow the Tahoe Trails Endowment to $3 million to fund annual trail maintenance throughout the region. Currently, the endowment is at just over $1 million.

While building the endowment, the Tahoe Fund also continues its work with partners at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Truckee Trails Foundation and public land managers to develop a Trails Master Plan that outlines priority ranking for trail work and allows everyone to think and plan long-term.

The endowment was launched in late 2020 with a generous $100,000 donation from Chris and Viktoria McNamara. You can contribute to the Tahoe Trails Endowment by clicking the button below.

Donation came from a portion of boat sales and the Bill and Kristin Fenech Foundation

Superior Boat Repair and Sales presented a check for $17,069 to local nonprofit organization the Tahoe Fund during its annual “Surf Across Lake Tahoe” customer appreciation event. The funds, which came from a portion of boat sales and the Bill and Kristen Fenech Foundation, will support environmental improvement projects throughout the Tahoe Basin. 

“We are fortunate to operate on this beautiful lake and are grateful for the opportunity to give back to it,” said Bob Bense of Superior Boats. “We value the work the Tahoe Fund is doing to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.”

Superior Boat presented the check to the Tahoe Fund in front of more than 50 customers at its annual “Surf the Lake” event that featured a fleet of Natique boats surfing down to Emerald Bay. Pro wakesurfer John Akerman joined the festivities.  

Superior Boats, which operates out of the Homewood High & Dry Marina on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe during the summer season and full-time in Rancho Cordova, CA, is also Tahoe’s local Barletta dealership. This partnership with the Tahoe Fund is part of a larger commitment by Barletta Boat’s Bill & Kristin Fenech Foundation to donate 1% of all wholesale shipments to charities that support outdoor recreation, health and human services, and community vibrancy. 

“We were thrilled to be included in the Surf Across Lake Tahoe event to accept this wonderful donation in front of Bob’s customers,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Local businesses like Superior Boat who contribute a portion of their sales help us accomplish so much for Tahoe.” 

The Tahoe Fund is currently focused on building support for the new Meeks Ridge Trail on the West Shore, the new Ski Run Community Park in South Lake Tahoe and its Smartest Forest Fund to help prevent catastrophic wildfire in the Tahoe Basin.

Have you ever gone for a beach day in Lake Tahoe and had to park (what feels like) a mile away from the beach? Well, you can avoid this by taking free shuttle services around the lake this summer! 

Free shuttle services allow you to avoid driving, steer clear of parking, and save on gas money. Not only does this improve traffic congestion, but these transportation options also reduce air pollution and the impact on Lake Tahoe’s waters and forests. Here are two great options to help you get around this summer:

TART Connect in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee

Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) offers TART Connect, a free, on-demand, curb-to-curb ride service–much like an Uber or Lyft. It’s easy to use, just download the TART Connect app and request a ride to the destination of your choice. TART Connect, which is funded in part by the Tahoe Fund, is available in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee this summer. 

The extended summer services on the North Shore begin June 30, and operate 8am to 12am within Lakeside zones, and 6pm-11pm on Friday and Saturday evenings within Resort zones (Olympic Valley & Northstar). Truckee TART Connect service began summer operations June 25 and is operating 10am -10pm. Learn more: https://tahoetruckeetransit.com/tart-connect-2/ 

New Lake Link Service in South Lake Tahoe

Lake Link is a new, free microtransit service coming to South Lake Tahoe this summer. This new service, operated by South Shore Transportation Management Association, will initially run three miles through the casino corridor from Stateline, Nevada, to the Lake Tahoe Community College/Al Tahoe neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe along both US 50 and Pioneer Trail. Just like TART Connect, Lake Link will have an accessible app available for riders. To learn more about Lake Link, visit http://ss-tma.org/lake-link/ or call 530-494-0153 to book a ride.

By taking these free shuttle services instead of driving, you are helping to improve road congestion, reduce environmental impacts, and make it easier for everyone to get around in Tahoe this summer! 

Lauren Novotney is an intern for the Tahoe Fund

TART Connect Photos by Ryan Salm Photography

New trail will create brand-new 10+ mile mountain biking and hiking loop on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore

The Tahoe Fund and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) today announced a $50,000 matching campaign to build the Meeks Ridge Trail. This new 4.5 mile multi-use trail will provide a brand-new 10+ mile loop option for hikers and mountain bikers on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

“Right now, people on the West Shore have to drive to trailheads to get in a longer hike or bike ride,” said Verdi DiSesa, vice chair of the Tahoe Fund Board. “This new trail will create access to a world-class loop with unbelievable views, all without requiring anyone to get in their cars. And now donations will be doubled to help make it happen.” 

The new trail, which will begin just north of Meeks Bay Resort, starts near lake level and then climbs to the top of Meeks Ridge where it will connect with the Lost Lake Trail. From there, users will be able to pick up the General Creek Trail as part of the 10-12 mile loop. The loop will end by the Highway 89 bike path that connects directly to Sugar Pine Point and Meeks Bay Campground. 

While volunteers are working diligently to clear and build the lower half of the trail, a paid crew will be key to completing the final 2-3 miles of the trail at higher elevations. The upper section is more rugged and requires a professional team to tackle the difficult terrain. The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund’s $50,000 matching campaign will help cover the cost of the paid crew, allowing them to be camped in the higher elevations for eight days at a time to work on the trail more efficiently.

“Our team is excited to bring this dynamic new option to the West Shore,” said Patrick Parsel, trails director at TAMBA. “The funds raised through the Tahoe Fund matching campaign will make it possible for us to get this work done and create an incredible new trail outside of Desolation Wilderness for hikers and bikers to enjoy.”

With panoramic views of Meeks Bay, Meeks Meadow and Desolation Wilderness, naming rights at four vista points along the trail are available for a $10,000 donation each. The vista points, identified on the map below, will feature a bench and custom plaque with the name of the donor.

To contribute to the matching campaign or secure a vista point, please visit www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/meeks-ridge-trail/ or email info@tahoefund.org.