Hello Friends of Truckee Trails,
I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Truckee Trails Foundation. My name is Cory Caldwell, and stepping into this role feels like both a privilege and a homecoming.
For me, trails have always been more than dirt and switchbacks—they are places of connection, reflection, and freedom. I grew up exploring the Sawtooth trails near my grandmother’s home here in Truckee, which I now call my own. Those miles of trail instilled in me a love for quiet moments outdoors and a belief that trails aren’t just pathways through the forest—they’re pathways to community, health, and inspiration.
Over the past 23 years, Truckee Trails Foundation has built a remarkable legacy: from the Emigrant Trail and Sawtooth Trail network, to the Truckee River Legacy Trail, to ambitious projects like Pines to Mines. These accomplishments, created with the dedication of staff, board members, volunteers, and partners, have shaped our town and inspired me to join this organization.
I often describe the “trail feeling” as that simple but powerful moment when you’re out in nature and everything feels right—whether it’s the crunch of your shoes on dirt, the view after a tough climb, or the calm of a quiet stretch of forest. It’s a feeling that grounds us, connects us to the land, and reminds us why protecting and building trails matters. That “trail feeling” is what drives me every day, and why I am committed to carrying forward the important work of this foundation.
As we look to the future, I’m eager to listen, learn, and collaborate with all of you—the hikers, bikers, runners, dog walkers, and families who love and care for these trails. If you’d like to share your ideas, stories, or simply connect, you can always reach me directly at cory@truckeetrails.org. Together, we’ll build on the strong foundation already in place, ensuring that Truckee remains a place where trails connect us not just to nature, but to each other.
Thank you for your continued support of the Truckee Trails Foundation. I look forward to meeting you—whether in town or out on the trail.
See you out there,
Cory Caldwell
Executive Director
Truckee Trails Foundation
