homepage - outings - national - brochure - 12337a

The Trip

The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) circles high above beautiful Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Construction of a new trail system -- the Rim-to-Reno Trail, which includes loop trails along with a connector trail from the TRT to Reno -- began in 2010. The system will include more than 20 miles of new trail and will eliminate user-created routes. It is designed to disperse increasing numbers of trail users which will, in turn, reduce resource damage. We will work on a segment of the Rim-to-Reno Trail near Mt. Rose.

We will camp in an undeveloped, forested area near Mt. Rose, with the opportunity to enjoy the both solitude of a backcountry trip and the convenience of car-camping. Our location is anticipated to be less than 30 minutes outside of Incline Village, Nevada (on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe), up the Mt. Rose Highway. We will have ample occasion to enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and Lake Tahoe from locations near our camp.

We will work four days and have one free day. Possible free-day activities include a variety of hiking options (from exploring the area near camp to summiting Mt. Rose at 11,776 feet), a visit to Lake Tahoe, or simply relaxing at camp.

The Project

We will work in the vicinity of the Tahoe Rim Trail and Mt. Rose Summit Trail junction, at nearly the highest points on the trail. Staff from the U.S. Forest Service and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) will direct and supervise our work as well as provide all tools and instruction for their use. Our project is slated to include rerouting and destructing existing trail and construction of new trail. The work may include removing boulders, roots and vegetation, moving downed trees, constructing new trail bed, and installing water bars.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Reno, Nevada, about one hour from our camp site. Trip members are responsible for transportation to and from the campsite. The last 2-3 miles of the drive in will be on a rough dirt road. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended unless the driver has experience driving over rugged terrain. The leader will provide a trip roster to facilitate ride-sharing.

Accommodations and Food

Again, we will be camping in an unimproved area: there will be no bathrooms, showers, running water, or picnic tables. The agency will provide us with potable water, and the Sierra Club will bring in kitchen equipment and food. We can set up a sun shower and we will dig our own latrine. If there are no fire restrictions in place, we will eat around our campfire. Because we are driving to the site, trip members can bring comfort items from home, such as solar showers, camp chairs, camp tables, etc. Feel free to contact the leader with questions prior to signing up for this trip.

Sierra Club staff will provide meals beginning with dinner on day one, and ending with breakfast on the last day. Meal planning considerations include lack of refrigeration and protecting food from animals. We provide well-balanced, nutritious, and tasty vegetarian meals with an occasional meat option. We have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in food preparation and after-meal cleanup. Before applying for the trip, people with food allergies and/or strong food preferences must contact the cook to see if accommodations are possible.

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderately strenuous trip. Trail work can be challenging and strenuous, particularly at high elevations. We may also hike to work sites carrying tools and day packs. It is important that participants be in good physical condition. Because we will be at elevations around 8,000-9,000 feet, "flat-landers" are encouraged to arrive in the area a couple of days prior to the trip to acclimate.

Temperatures in the area could range from the 60s to 80s during the day, and 30s to 40s at night. Weather conditions in the Sierra can change quickly -- snow, hail, and thunderstorms are always possible -- and temperatures are unpredictable. Best to be prepared for anything!

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed equipment list will be sent to registered participants. Essential items include: warm sleeping bag, tent, sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, two pairs of leather work gloves, and rainproof (not just rain-resistant) jacket and pants.

References

Books:

• Hauserman, Tim, The Tahoe Rim Trail Guidebook: A Complete Guide For Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians.
• Schafer, Jeffrey, The Tahoe Sierra.
• Strong, Douglas H., Tahoe: From Timber Barons to Ecologists.
• Landauer, Lyndall B., The Mountain Sea: A History of Lake Tahoe.

Maps:

• U.S.G.S. 7.5" Mt. Rose topographic map. This map is available from U.S.G.S., Distribution Branch, Box 25266, Denver Federal Center, Denver CO 80225 for $2.50. Allow 10 to 12 weeks for arrival.

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy and participation in the goals of the Club.

Discussions during the trip may include water quality issues impacting Lake Tahoe along with the issues of forest management, fire management, and invasive species. We will follow Leave No Trace minimum-impact practices. We may also have a participatory environmental-conservation session during our trip, when each of us can share an environmental issue (challenge and/or success) in our hometown area.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Cathy Chattler loves the outdoors and discovered Sierra Club service trips in 2005. At home in the San Francisco Bay Area she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. She is a volunteer at the Morgan Horse Ranch in Point Reyes National Seashore.

E-mail: cchattler@sbcglobal.net

Cook:

Mollie Dean enjoys cooking for the interesting people who come to service trips and likes making meals a fun part of the trip. At home in Minneapolis, she gardens, coordinates vegetable-growing classes, bikes, and reads. If you have any concerns about the food on the trip, please contact her at molliedean@msn.com.

Email: molliedean@msn.com

---

General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners