This project was completed in 2018. Using approximately 40 tons of granite 50 volunteers donated more than 800 hours to transform the Fairway Drive trailhead in Tahoe City (Tahoe City North). The trailhead serves as the symbolic (and often physical) beginning to the trail as it is located at mile marker zero. Unfortunately, heavy winter storms and high use had resulted in a trail and trailhead that were unsafe and unpleasant for hikers, bikers and equestrians as they were forced to navigate rocky, loose trail, tripping hazards, and eroding terrain.
This project was completed in 2018. Using approximately 40 tons of granite 50 volunteers donated more than 800 hours to transform the Fairway Drive trailhead in Tahoe City (Tahoe City North). The trailhead serves as the symbolic (and often physical) beginning to the trail as it is located at mile marker zero. Unfortunately, heavy winter storms and high use had resulted in a trail and trailhead that were unsafe and unpleasant for hikers, bikers and equestrians as they were forced to navigate rocky, loose trail, tripping hazards, and eroding terrain.
The project addressed several serious issues with the trailhead. These issues diminished the desired outcome of a safe and enjoyable recreation experience for all trail users. First, the trailhead was not aesthetically pleasing. There was no well-defined entrance/exit to the trailhead and nothing to serve as the symbolic beginning of the trail. The trail tread ascended steeply from the road across a dusty, eroding surface devoid of vegetative growth for over a hundred square feet. In addition, the trailhead was unsafe. Past restoration efforts included the addition of railroad ties secured with rebar in an attempt to check erosion. However, the ties were not natural materials and were visually obtrusive. Second, the trailhead was unsafe. The rebar used to secure the ties protruded several inches from the ground, causing a significant safety risk. In addition, the lack of a clear entrance/exit resulted in users entering the roadway from the trail at both a high speed (particularly bikers) and in any number of places along the road. Given the blind curve above the trailhead, this created a serious potential for conflict between trail users and motorists. Finally, the soil in the trailhead was eroding and sending sediment into the nearby Upper Truckee River. After rain and snow events there was persistent erosion of debris, silt, and dirt.
The project also addressed issues on the trail above the trailhead. The TRTA strives to maintain trail that doesn’t exceed an 8% grade, yet the first 1.5 miles of this section included pitches that reached 20%. Existing erosion issues were exacerbated by the heavy snowfall and fast spring melt in 2016-2017. Such issues could only be mitigated through rerouting portions of the trail and/or installing erosion preventing structures such as armoring and checks. These changes not only improve the user experience but also reduce environmental damage from erosion.
Project Sponsor
Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
