Truckee Trails Foundation

Truckee Trails Foundation is creating a world-class network of inclusive trails and bikeways in and around Truckee for community health, sustainability, and prosperity. 

WE DIG TRAIL

At our core, we dig trail. Our roots are in trail development and bikeways advocacy — working towards critical, town-wide bicycling infrastructure that our community can embrace year-round. Over time, our connections to local agencies & community partners led us to also become the go-to dirt trail builders in the Truckee region. 

TTF maintains up to 180 miles of non-motorized trail in the Tahoe National Forest, Truckee Ranger District and we build NEW trails, too — trails designed for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, dog-walking, family-friendly nature walks, and even trails for the mobility-challenged. In the last 7 years, TTF’s crew has built over 30 miles of trail, including major mountain bike and hiking trails in Waddle Ranch and the Sawtooth area. 

We're here to keep our trail system sustainable and growing, ensuring there's a path for everyone. But key to our success each year is the charitable support from our community.

CURRENT PROJECTS

PINES TO MINES TRAIL

When completed, the Pines to Mines Trail will cover over 80 miles, utilizing the popular Trout Creek Canyon, Donner Lake Rim, Hole in the Ground, Spaulding Lake and Pioneer Trails, along with approximately 20 miles of new construction to create a single trail experience of sweeping valley vistas and the Sierra Crest.

SAWTOOTH SUSTAINABLE RECREATION PROJECT

TTF is partnering with the US Forest Service to create new trails in this zone, including connectors, extensions, and reroutes to help disperse trail users and offer new routing options in this popular recreation area.  

WAYFINDING AND TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENTS

Over the past three years, the TTF crew has successfully installed new trail wayfinding signs, trailhead kiosks and vault toilets.  

TRAIL MAINTENANCE

2023 has been an intense year for trail work. Our trail crew has taken on heavy maintenance, clearing of downed trees, rock removal, drainage work, and fixing of holes, features and bridges for:
• Gentle Jeffrey Trail
• Summit Lake Trail
• Big Chief Trail
• Western States Trail
• Granite Chief Trail
• 06 Fire Road
• Sawtooth Trail
• Ridgeline Nature Loop
• Happy Face Loop
• Five Lakes Trail
• Glacier Meadow Loop
• Mt. Lola
• Hole in the Ground Trail
• Warren Lake Trail
• Emigrant Trail
• Palisades Creek Trail 

PAST PROJECTS

COMPASS SKILLS LOOP  

In summer 2022, TTF built Truckee/Tahoe’s first adaptive mountain bike skills loop, the Compass Skills Loop. This one mile loop is suitable for beginner and intermediate riders 

WADDLE RANCH TRAIL 

TTF built a beautiful 5-mile trail in Martis Valley’s Waddle Ranch (ribbon cutting/name release to happen in spring 2023)

WOODSPLITTER JUMP TRAIL 

TTF also revamped the Woodsplitter Jump Trail, adding new jump and agility features while making it even more safe

NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTORS

Constructed a 1.6 mile connector trail from Happy Face to Schaffer’s Mill.

RIDGELINE NATURE LOOP

In 2021, our crew completed a flat, packed gravel, 1-mile trail that is well-suited for seniors, families with young children and those with mobility challenges. 

BIG CHIEF TRAIL 

In 2018, TTF worked with the USFS and Northstar California to build a 7-mile trail connecting the Sawtooth Trail's southern tip with Watson Lake and the Tahoe Rim Trail. 

EL BURRO TRAIL

TTF advocated for the legalization of the popular Jackass Trail and then constructed a 2-mile extension, providing a significantly enhanced trail experience.

EMIGRANT TRAIL RE-ROUTES AND BRIDGES

In cooperation with the USFS, TTF completed a major re-route and restoration effort on the Upper Emigrant Trail along Alder Creek. The resulting trail is more user-friendly and environmentally sustainable.

ELIZABETHTOWN TRAIL

TTF completed this trail that connects Northstar with the Waddle Ranch trail system. A project on land owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, TTF raised $50,000 to build the Middle Martis Creek Bridge. 

LOWER CARPENTER VALLEY TRAIL

TTF's team was hired by our partner, Truckee Donner Land Trust, to construct a 3-mile trail that winds around this stunning valley -- one of Truckee's best kept secrets! 

ADVOCACY 

• In 2014, TTF worked aggressively to get Measure R on the ballot, and our leaders piloted the massive, all-volunteer effort to a victory on June 3 and over $10,000,000 in trails, bikeways, and trail maintenance over the next 10 years. 100% of Measure R revenue goes to the Town of Truckee. 
• In 2022, TTF was instrumental in getting Measure U on the June ballot (a sales tax that will deliver an estimated $3 million/year for paved bike paths, dirt trails, and trail maintenance) and worked hard to ensure this critical measure passed. 
• in 2023, Truckee Trails successfully advocated with our partners, the Town of Truckee, CalTrans, and Placer & Nevada Counties for additional paved trail and bikeway amenities, and safety and connectivity initiatives.