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Details
Description
The Sugar Pine Foundation (SPF) is a local nonprofit dedicated to restoring native pine forests in the Tahoe Region and beyond. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) serves as the primary steward of the Tahoe Rim Trail System, ensuring its protection and accessibility. Together, our organizations collaborate to offer engaging educational experiences along the Tahoe Rim Trail and throughout the Basin.
Come meet the whitebark pine, a keystone species of high-elevation forests known for its resilience and distinctive, wind-shaped form called krummholz—crooked wood shaped by relentless alpine winds and snow. More than just a tree, the whitebark pine is a pillar of mountain ecosystems: its roots stabilize rocky soils, its canopies shade snowpack and prolong snowmelt, and its large nutritious seeds feed wildlife from Clark’s nutcrackers to grizzly bears.
Yet, this remarkable pine faces grave threats. An introduced fungus, white pine blister rust, along with bark beetles and the pressures of a warming climate, have decimated populations across much of its range, leading to its federal listing as a threatened species in 2022. The Tahoe region now stands as a vital stronghold for this majestic tree, where efforts are underway to identify and propagate individuals with natural resistance to disease.
Join naturalist Sarah Green to learn about the Sugar Pine Foundation’s work to protect and restore whitebark pine. She will guide us along the Tahoe Rim Trail, where you can see these iconic trees—some gnarled and wind-sculpted, others standing tall—while discovering how you can help ensure their survival for generations to come.
Come hike in the woods with us, enjoy beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and learn about forest ecology along the way!
What to Expect
For the weather forecast in this area, check out this link to the NOAA website.
TRTA/SPF treks are group treks, and we do our best to keep the group together. All TRTA guides and SPF staff dedicate a great deal of their time throughout the year sharing their passion for the outdoors. They are well-trained and experienced. Please respect the decisions made on the trail.
It is also critical that you sign up for a trek that is appropriate for you and your skill set. This request is for the safety of you, the group, and our leadership. Read the trek description carefully, and sign up for treks that you are capable of participating in and can enjoy.
