Carson Valley Trails Association hosts Hike for Health Trails Challenge

Staff Reports

The Carson Valley Trails Association offers weekly guided hikes, walks and trail adventures as part of the Hike for Health Trails Challenge, Saturdays, April 24 through May 22. These weekend trail activities will be guided by experienced hikers and other experts. The Trails Challenge will give participants the opportunity to engage in healthy outdoor activities and learn more about trails in the Carson Valley area. The Trails Challenge is also a fundraiser for CVTA's Genoa Foothill Trail System project.

The weekly guided activities are open to anyone who registers for the Hike for Health Trails Challenge. Registration is $25 for adults, $35 for families and free for age 17 and under. Cash or check only will be accepted. Each participant must fill out a registration form and participants age 17 and under must have a parent or guardian signature.

Registrations will be accepted at any time during the Trails Challenge, by mail or at the meeting location for any of the weekly guided activities. Obtain registration packets through Chic and Sue Moxley, 265-0766, or at the CVTA Web site, www.carsonvalleytrails.org

Three hikes are planned for April 24: a 3.4 mile Jobs Peak Ranch to Fay-Luther Trailhead hike, a 3.3 mile Fay-Luther Grand View Loop hike and a leisurely 60 to 90 minute history walk in Minden. The Jobs Peak Ranch to Fay-Luther Trailhead hike begins at 9 a.m. at the Fay-Luther Trailhead. Participants will shuttle to Jobs Peak Ranch Trailhead and be guided on a hike back to the Fay-Luther Trailhead by Bob Ballou, retired director of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The hike focuses on trail familiarization, Jobs Peak Ranch history, valley views and riparian areas.

The Fay-Luther -Grand View Loop hike begin 9 a.m. at the Fay-Luther Trailhead and will be guided by Phil Brisack, CVTA's Trail Operations Vice President and Tahoe Rim Trail Association master trail builder. The focus of this hike will be trail design and construction information, with creek and valley views.

The Minden history walk starts at 10 a.m. at Minden Park on the corner of Esmeralda and Sixth Street in Minden. The walk will be guided by Charlotte Bass, a descendant of Carson Valley's Settelmeyer ranching family. She will talk about Minden history and show participants some of Minden's historic homes.

The weekly guided activities include an equestrian trail ride May 2, and a trail run on May 22. Details on these events, and other weekly guided hikes and activities available www.carsonvalleytrails.org

The Genoa Foothills Trail System project is funded by a Question 1 grant from the Nevada Division of State Lands. The 22-mile Genoa Foothill Trail will be located in the foothills of the Carson Range west of the Town of Genoa and to the north and south from Adams Canyon to the Kingsbury Grade. Environmental studies for the project are in progress and trail construction is expected to begin in 2011.

The Carson Valley Trails Association is a nonprofit, volunteer based organization working with partners to provide access to public lands through a recreational trail system for present and future generations to enjoy.

Attached photo by Dick Morissete

Suggested caption: Carson Valley Trails Association Trail Operations Vice-Presdent, Phil Brisack (back left), guides a group of hikers on the Fay-Luther Trail.

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