Trail association gears up for busy season

As spring sunshine continues to penetrate the pall of winter, more and more residents of Carson Valley will be heading into the great outdoors. Whether it's hiking or horseback riding up Faye-Luther Trail, or fishing for trout in the Carson River, one local organization is making sure there is access to public land.

"It's not just the Foothill trails," said Kerstin Wolle, President of the Carson Valley Trail Association. "We want to be a facilitator of connecting the whole Valley to public lands."

CVTA was started as a nonprofit organization in 1994. Since then they've spearheaded the development of a 5-mile trail up Faye-Luther Canyon off Foothill Road and a 1.5-mile trail through the south end of Jobs Peak Ranch.

"Our goal is to eventually connect those trails," said Wolle. "We are also trying to install educational signs along Faye-Luther."

Those signs would include explanations of flora and fauna, local and environmental history.

"It would be very healthy and educational for our kids," she said. "One of our goals is to get kids involved in the outdoors. We like to say, 'No child left inside.'"

On Monday, 9-year-old Christian Eckert was out hiking on the Faye-Luther trail with his mother, Jenny Eckert.

"I love being out in nature," said the Minden Elementary School fourth-grader, enjoying his spring break.

Wolle said the Faye-Luther and Jobs Peak trails are just the first step. CVTA is currently working on two trail easements in Genoa, one along the Carson River at the River Forks Ranch and one near the Eagle Ridge development that will provide access to Adams and Sierra canyons.

"We would like the Adams Canyon trail to connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail," said Wolle.

CVTA's long-term vision is to have a trail that parallels the entire length of Foothill Road, with separate trails branching off into areas that are hard to access otherwise, such as federal land in and around Jacks Valley, Genoa and Kingsbury Grade. CVTA also envisions working with Douglas County to establish a network of trails along the Carson River, connecting communities like the Ranchos with the town of Gardnerville.

"We want to get people on board," said Wolle. "We want the public to be part of the trail plans."

CVTA currently has 150 members who volunteer their time and money to the maintenance of existing trails and the creation of new trails. They will be hosting a public workshop for their 10-year strategic plan 6 to 9 p.m. April 17 at Gardnerville Elementary School. Their annual fundraiser, "Hike for Health," will be 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 22 in the Genoa Town Hall. The event will feature silent and live auctions, refreshments and a no-host bar.

For more information about CVTA, call 782-6859 or visit www.CarsonValleyTrails.org.