Emergency Forest Closure:

September 1, 2021 Update:

The Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest has issued a nuanced closure order for areas in California south of Highway 50. Full text and map are spread across two links here and here. In brief, no dispersed camping on the eastern slopes of the Sierras in California and no hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail or Tahoe Rim Trail. Most vendor operated camp sites are still open for use (see second link above for specific list). Day use of the forest areas in the second link is still ok. The forest areas in the first link are still entirely closed.

August 31, 2021 Update:

All Pacific Southwest Region national forest districts are closed through September 17, 2021. This impacts all national forests in the California EXCEPT the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest which covers small portions of the eastern slope of the Sierras North of Mono Lake. HTNF does have closures in effect listed below and may expand their closure orders as need arises. Most recent news release regarding closures is linked here.

August 22, 2021 original post:

due to fire risk, the forest service has closed much of the national forest west of the Truckee Meadows including most of Northern California. Like CLOSED CLOSED. No driving, hiking, biking, etc. Don’t go there. For now, this does not include Peavine or the east facing slopes of the Carson range (Galena and Carson City Area Trails), but does extend throughout the Tahoe basin up to the eastern ridgeline. Here is the map of current closures and the statement. I will update this post if additional areas are added to the list. This order is in place until at least through Labor Day (Sept 6).

The Carson Ranger district has closed all portions of the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest west of the California/Nevada state line plus areas surrounding the Tamarack Fire that extend into Nevada. Closure order linked here. Twitter post with map here.

Something you can do for the outdoors while staying indoors is take a survey about trails and your perspectives on what it means to be part of trail communities. The survey is being conducted by the University of Maryland and you can click through to their information and to participate here. It took me about ten minutes to complete.

Ongoing Fall Trail Karma Opportunity:

• If you have ever been interested in getting involved with trail stewardship beyond just volunteering for work days, Nevada State Parks has partnered with American Trails and created an opportunity for just that. Via the Regional Trails Training Program, anyone can learn how to up their trail stewardship skills through workshops that are currently being offered both online and in person over the coming weeks. Topics of the workshops include all aspects of trail planning, construction and maintenance, vary by date, and are offered both online and in-person. Content is appropriate for all skill levels and interest, individual workshop topics can complement each other but anyone can take any workshop of interest. For more information check out the detailed course descriptions booklet here, register directly here through American Trails, or send questions to Kim Frederick or call him at 303-718-0829.

This Week’s Events

• Monday, August 30:

  • 1:00pm-5:30pm:

    • Trail Karma Opportunity: Biggest Little Trail Stewards are installing trailhead kiosks and need some help. To volunteer contact Curtis. His phone number and additional details are listed on the FB events page here.

• Tuesday, August 31:

  • 9:00am-1:30pm:

    • Trail Karma Opportunity: Biggest Little Trail Stewards are finishing installing trailhead kiosks and need some help. To volunteer contact Curtis. His phone number and additional details are listed on the FB events page here.

  • 5:00pm:

    • Reno Wheelmen’s Twilight Road Race series features the Aircenter Criterium. Due to the air quality, this event is tenuous and so the most current status will be posted to the Wheelmen’s FB page.

  • 5:30pm:

    • Tuesday Night Ride Group, as their name suggests, will have their weekly mountain bike ride. The ride changes location each week so check their Facebook group or join their google email group to get direct updates. This week (8/31) they are riding from the Callahan trailhead and rolling out around 5:30pm. If this is your first TNRG ride, know they don’t have a mass start or group guides so it’s on new riders to either bring their own friends or make some by introducing yourself. If you ordered one of their 2021 ride t-shirts, they are available for pickup now.

    • Muscle Powered’s Tuesday Ladies Ride in Carson. Meet up at Foothill Dr. just off of N. Winnie Ln. (aka Pooh Corner). Rides are open to all skill levels. Contact bike coordinator Beth Harrison with questions.

  • 6pm:

    • Silver State Striders have decided not to organize group runs this week due to air quality issues.

• Wednesday, September 1:

  • 5pm

    • Reno Wheelmen’s casual Verdi road ride rolls as a group from the CVS parking lot at Booth and California Ave at 5pm. ~25 miles paved with the option to add loops in verdi and multiple regroup points on the way out for those less familiar with the route. Open to members and non-members alike. Details on their website.

  • 5:15pm

    • Reno Del Fuegos are having a casual gravel ride on the Steamboat Ditch Trail. Starting at Horseman’s Park, the route to the west can be as long as 45 miles total out and back. They are requesting that riders bring something to eat and a light incase the ride extends after sunset. Let them know you are coming via their FB Group page.

• Thursday, September 2:

  • 6pm

    • Silver State Striders have decided not to organize group runs this week due to air quality issues.

• Saturday, September 4:

  • Silver State Striders have decided not to organize group runs this week due to air quality issues.

• Monday, September 6:

  • Labor Day!

That’s what’s on my radar at the moment. If you know of something I missed or is coming soon, send me an email and it might get listed. See you outside!