Hello Friends of Truckee Trails,
When I first introduced myself a few weeks ago, I talked about something we all share — that trail feeling. It’s the sense of calm, connection, and belonging that comes from being out on the trail, where the world slows down and everything just feels right.
These days, with so much uncertainty in the world, that feeling matters more than ever. Trails remind us to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with what’s real — the sound of dirt underfoot, the scent of pine in the air, and the shared joy of being outdoors together.
At the Truckee Trails Foundation, everything we do is about preserving that feeling — not just for today’s trail users, but for future generations.
Current Projects & Momentum — Fall 2025
We’re building on 23 years of legacy with boots on the ground and shovels in the dirt. Here’s what’s happening right now:
🌲 Pines to Mines Trail
After more than a decade of planning, we’ve officially broken ground on the 80-mile connection between Truckee and Nevada City. Our crew is on track to complete the first section before the snow flies — a monumental milestone that connects communities, counties, and generations.
🚲 Thelin Connector
Next season, we’ll break ground on a new trail linking the Sawtooth trailhead to the Legacy Trail along the Truckee River — creating a continuous, rideable, and walkable corridor from forest to town.
💧Trout Creek and Legacy Dirt Alternate
Partnering with the Town of Truckee, we’re developing a dirt alternate for the Legacy and Trout Creek Trails, reducing traffic on paved surfaces and offering trail users a more scenic, natural path through the forest and along the creek corridors.eas
🏞 Legacy Trail & Beyond
From Waddle Ranch to Donner Summit, our advocacy has helped shape Truckee’s trail and bikeway network since the very beginning — back when there weren’t even bike lanes around Donner Lake!
Did You Know?
- Over 180 miles of trail built and maintained across the Truckee region
- More than 35 miles of new trail built in the last seven years
- $24 million invested in local trails and bikeways since our founding
- Two bridges constructed in Alder Creek to improve connectivity and access
- Measure R & U projects fueling new trail development
- PCTA Support & Rebuilds on Castle Peak and beyond
- Waddle Ranch, Granite Chief, A1 Trail, Sawtooth Trail, and countless others — built, maintained, and loved by our community
No Forest Service Funding Next Year.
Will there be any Forest Service funding next year? NO!
That’s why your support matters more than ever. Without this critical funding, local stewardship organizations like ours are what keep these trails alive, safe, and accessible.
Voices from the Trail
“Truckee’s trails are part of what make this community so special. Every time I ride, I’m reminded that these moments of connection don’t just happen — they’re built and cared for by people who love this land.”
— Paco Lindsay, Vice President, Truckee Trails Foundation
Trailwork Never Sleeps
This season alone, our crew — Fil Grgic, Larry Lehman, Levi Bittler, and Allison Briney — has logged hundreds of hours maintaining and improving our trails:
- Routine maintenance on Big Chief, Sawtooth, Gentle Jeffrey, Stump Shot, and Dutchman
- Brushing and corridor clearing across the Sawtooth Zone
- 5 Lakes Trail drainage and staircase restoration with Donner Party Mountain Runners and NNormal Shoes
- Extensive brushing and tree removal across Granite Chief, Mt. Judah Loop, Western States, and Hole in the Ground
These are the invisible hours that keep your favorite trails open, safe, and beautiful.
Your Role in Year 24
Your donations fund the crew, tools, and materials that make this work possible. Every dollar goes toward preserving that trail feeling — for hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians, families, and people with mobility challenges.
Thank you for being part of this community that digs in, shows up, and keeps Truckee connected — one trail at a time.
See you out there,
Cory Caldwell
Executive Director
Truckee Trails Foundation