MARKERS OF THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL T H E M A R K E R. Vol. V No. 3 THE NEWSLETTER OF TRAILS WEST, INC. BY BOB BLACK

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1 MARKERS OF THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL T H E M A R K E R Vol. V No. 3 THE NEWSLETTER OF TRAILS WEST, INC. Winter 2008 YREKA WORK PARTY BY BOB BLACK On September 12, 13 and 14, 2008, about 30 Trails West members and guests gathered on or adjacent to the Klamath National Forest in Northern California for 3 days of camaraderie and hard work. Thanks to all the hard research efforts of Richard and Orsola Silva of Yreka, Ca., this project was fairly easy to put together. Most of the gang camped at Shafter CG along Butte Creek, where the wine and the BS flowed freely, and the rest of the folks commuted from Yreka or Weed. Bob E., Bob F., Ralph T. & Dave H. digging one of the 20 holes. Cherie Evanhoe invited the gang up to their house for lunch and cold drinks. Thanks for your fine hospitality, Bob and Cherie! All in all, some significant work was accomplished, and a great time was had by all. Hope to see another great turnout on the projects scheduled for 2009! (Ed.'s note: The Gang : TW members: Don Enneking, Dick Hallford, Dee McKenzie, John Schwede, Bill & Leta Bishell, Mike & Lorena Aquilar, Jerry & Linda Michaels, Dick and Gerri Poole, John Winner, Jim Allison, Joyce Everett, Ralph and Sandy Theiss, Larry & Phyllis Schmidt, Dave Hollecker, Bob Fuller, Bob Evanhoe, Dick Brock, Rod Latimer, Alison Portello, Don Buck plus guests, Rich Farrington & Ed Matthews and Bob Black our fearless leader and primary planner for the Yreka Trail This hard working gang under the leadership of the three crew bosses, Don Enneking, Bill Bishell and Jim Allison, installed 20 new steel rail markers along about 70 miles of trail during the 3 day work party. Alison Portello took a bunch of photos which she will use in the future guidebook, Don Buck checked out all the historical details of the project, and Rod Latimer hauled the markers to the sites. Dick Brock and Bob Black attempted to keep all the crews from straying too far from the marker sites, the markers, the water, and the cement but at times this did get a bit crazy!! However, due to the cando attitude of everyone involved, nothing major slipped thru the cracks. After the last marker was installed early Sunday afternoon in Discovery Park in Yreka, Bob and Don E. & some of his crew Rich F., Dee M. & Ed M. at Y-20 in Discovery Park. Pictures by Dick Hallford.

2 Work Party.) RICHARD SILVA RECEIVES JEFFERSONIAN AWARD FOR 2008 Richard Silva was recently recognized for his outstanding work on emigrant trails. Ten archaeologists joined in honoring him at the 32 nd annual State of Jefferson Meeting. Richard has shared his knowledge with Trails West, helping in locating the Nobles, Yreka and Lassen Trails and giving permission to use his historical notes and materials in developing our guidebooks. The full article by Julie Cassidy, Heritage Resources, Shasta-Trinity NFS will be published in the next issue. Trails West, Inc. joins in the applause for this well-deserved honor of Richard Silva. PRESIDENT S MESSAGE BY JOYCE EVERETT 2008 was a busy and productive year for Trails West. Markers were constructed. The annual banquet and meeting at Boomtown provided the opportunity to gather together in anticipation of the year's activities. We celebrated accomplishments and honored some of the people who have made outstanding contributions to the heart of Trails West. As I write this, I wonder if it is possible to acknowledge all that our members do...the time researching trails, obtaining permissions for planting markers, selecting diary quotes, constructing markers, engraving plates, planning field trips, maintaining accounts and other business of Trails West, monitoring markers, arranging speakers and banquets, maintaining archives, the monumental tasks in creating guidebooks, and the many things I have not listed. Thank you for supporting Trails West, Inc. through membership and participation in activities. In June, marking of the Truckee Trail was completed with the exception of one marker on private property. Despite very hot weather, we ate well, as always, at the potluck enjoying camaraderie as well as live music. The Nobles Guidebook was published, replacing the interim version. New markers were planted as a new trail, Yreka, was marked. The potluck provided the opportunity for the many crews to gather, quench their thirst, swap tales from the day and dine under the pines. This work party ended in the welcoming home of Cherie and Bob Evanhoe when we sipped, snacked and talked as we looked at the view of Mt. Shasta hidden by the smoke of the summer fires. As I hang the 2009 Calendar, the trail activities no longer are so far in the future... next year is here. For Trails West, the '09 season begins with the election of officers, Board meeting, annual banquet and membership meeting on March 28 th. This year we will gather at the Holiday Inn in Sparks, NV. where I hope that you will join us for the Board meeting. You are welcome to drop in. If you are interested in helping with ballot counting, set up or registration, please contact Sandy or Joyce. Social hour will kick off the evening's activities and we'll wrap it up around 9:30 p.m. As always, donations for the Silent or Live Auction are gratefully accepted! Trails West, Inc. shirts and/or caps ordered now can be picked up at the banquet, so contact Don Enneking to place your order. See you in Sparks! Joyce WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Jerry Ellen Cannizzaro (Imlay, NV), Kenneth Johnston (Klamath Falls, OR), Tammy Mercer (Winnemucca, NV), Carole & Vern Osborne (St. George, KS), Kay Threlkeld (Torrington, WY) and Karen & Dave Vixie (Paradise, CA) have joined Trails West since the last issue. We look forward to getting acquainted with you at the banquet and on the trail. There are several enclosures with this issue of The Marker: the Bylaws, the current Membership Roster and the Directors-Officers-Staff list. Electronic versions are also available. 2

3 ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE NOVEMBER 1, 2008 MEETING Agenda Items Action Taken Call to Order and Agenda Meeting called to order at 11:25 a.m. A quorum of the Board was present. Motion adopted to approve draft agenda. Minutes Motion adopted to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2008 meeting. Treasurer s Report and Accepted as presented. Membership Report Guidebook Publishing Recommendation to separate the Applegate Guide, third edition, into Report two volumes was not adopted. Issue was discussed and motion to print as single volume at the July meeting. Motion adopted to reimburse Dick Brock for the $2, of expenses* without conditions (*software and training expenses for guidebook publication). Motion adopted to approve the Emigrant Trails West Series Guidebooks Distribution of Complimentary Copies. Nominating Committee Report September 2008 Field Trip (Yreka) Field Trips in 2009 Letter to BLM regarding marker maintenance in NCA in June. Applegate Trail Guide, Section 3 markers Banquet and General Membership Meeting March 28, 2009 Guidelines of location of Trails West Markers Motion adopted to approve the slate of candidates for the four Board positions up in March. Candidates: Mike Aguilar, Joyce Everett, Rod Latimer and Larry Schmidt. 20 new markers installed. Field trip successful. Motion approved (via on October 7, 2008) reimbursement of fuel expenses to Rod Latimer for $ for transporting markers. (Two trips made: Acampo to Susanville; Susanville to Yreka Trail marker sites. Motion approved the proposals for the three field trips: June 5-7 to re-plate A-2 A-16A; June to re-plate A-23A A-33; September to install eight new markers and tour trail along section 3 of Applegate Trail. Motion approved (by on August 26, 2008) the letter by Don Buck. Bob Black, as authorized by the Board, approached Boards of Historical Society & NW-OCTA regarding possible transfer of ownership. During informal discussion in September, general sense was to not pursue this matter. Motion approved the accommodations as arranged. (All will be held at Holiday Inn in Sparks, NV. Board meeting begins at 10 a.m. Banquet at 6 p.m. Speaker: Jeff Kintop.) Motion approved that the guides proposed by Don Buck be approved as written. Beckwourth Trail marker B-6 Adjournment Next meeting Marker was removed from its Bordertown location due to remodeling. Three possible sites were proposed by Dave Hollecker. Motion approved that the marker be located at proposed site B-6b and that subsequent to the re-location, a letter notifying Andy and Joanne Hammond of this action will be sent by Joyce Everett. Motion approved to adjourn meeting at 4:15 p.m. March 28, :00 a.m. Holiday Inn, Sparks NV 3

4 CANDIDATES FOR THE TRAILS WEST BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2009 Bob Black of the Nominating Committee has provided this glimpse of the slate of candidates for the next election. Ballots and the complete Candidates' Statements will be mailed by early February. MIKE AGUILAR--from Dayton, NV I am qualified for nothing! Sometimes I even have trouble holding a shovel. However, I was asked if I wanted to be a candidate for the Board so here I am. I served 20 years in the Navy and the Air Force and retired from military service. I then went to work for Fluor Engineers and worked for them for 17 years. I recently retired for good. My wife, Lorena, and I discovered Trails West about two years ago and decided to give this organization a try. We have been on several field trips, which we found to be very educational as well as adventuresome, and really believe in the work of protecting historical features of the past. JOYCE EVERETT from Loomis, CA Since joining Trails West about nine years ago, I have participated in nearly all of the activities. I have been the secretary, vice president and am now the president of the Board of Directors. In addition, in my spare time, I produce the club newsletter, The Marker. I am committed to the marking of the emigrant trails and really enjoy the camaraderie of working with all the members. I always enjoy learning more about the different trails. My top priority is in recruiting new members and in supporting an active membership. ROD LATIMER from Susanville, CA I am very interested in the history of the west. Since I have retired, I have pursued learning more about the great Western Emigration the people, the routes and the equipment used to reach California. I am deeply committed to actively contributing to the preservation of our heritage, and I do this by being a member of the Board of Directors and by getting actively involved in all of the field trips. I am particularly impressed with the commitment of all the members to the goals of the organization. I am interested in working to obtain grants to help finance the preservation/interpretation activities of Trails West. LARRY SCHMIDT from Minden, NV I believe that the members of Trails West provide an important service in researching, identifying and marking the historic emigrant trails and I am convinced that producing the trail guide books is a key part of this effort. The future holds some important challenges for our organization. I am presently serving on the Board of Directors and would like to help maintain Trails West as an effective and viable organization. I am particularly interested in maintaining and increasing the membership, educating new members in the skills necessary to identify and document trail segments, and creating opportunities for joint efforts with OCTA and the BLM/USFS. 4

5 Activity Next Board Meeting and Banquet and General Membership Meeting June Field Trip #1 BLM Cultural Survey June Field Trip #2 September Field Trip DATES TO REMEMBER Date and Location March 28, :00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Holiday Inn, McCarran and I-80, Sparks NV Ballot counters will be needed! All members welcome! Contact any board member for meeting information. Social Hour and Silent Auction: 5:00 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 6:00 p.m. followed by: Speaker: Jeff Kintop, State Archives Manager, Nevada State Archives, General Meeting and Live Auction. Details will be mailed by early February. Allow time on your calendar for travel time to meeting points. June 4-7, 2009 Leader: Don Buck Meet Thurs. morning to replate A-2 A-16A on the Applegate Trail. Friday afternoon join the BLM Cultural Survey at Double Hot Springs. June 5-7, 2009 Leader: Don Buck BLM Cultural Survey at Double Hot Springs June 19-20, 2009 Leader: Don Buck Replate A-23A A-33. Easy motel access and campground with showers available. Trip may include clearing brush from the hiking section of trail between A-29 and A-30. September 11-13, 2009 Leader: Bob Black Install 8 new markers on Applegate between Goose Lake and Southern Oregon, then tour. Motel and camping options each night. Check the Schedule of Activities at DIRECTORS: TRAILS WEST DIRECTORS/OFFICERS CONTACT INFO Bob Black (VP), Grants Pass OR (541) trailchaser@charter.net Don Enneking, Fairfield CA (707) DBEnneking@aol.com Joyce Everett (Pres.), Loomis CA (916) jimandjoyce@mac.com Rod Latimer, Susanville CA (530) susanhillsranch4@hotmail.com Alison Portello (Photographer), Winters CA (530) portello@dcn.davis.ca.us Larry Schmidt, Minden NV (775) LPSchmidt@gmail.com Ralph Theiss, Sparks NV (775) rsthappytrails@pyramid.net OFFICERS: Dick Brock, Sacramento CA (916) dicbee@sbcglobal.net (Guidebook Editor/Webmaster) Linda Black (Sec.), Grants Pass OR (541) linda2751@charter.net Don Buck (Trail Historian), Sunnyvale CA (408) trailbuck@telis.org Richard Hallford (Quartermaster), Martinez CA (925) RFhallford@comcast.net Kay Kelso (TW Archivist), Tucson AZ (520) kay_kelso@yahoo.com Sandy Theiss (Treas.) Sparks NV (775) rsthappytrails@pyramid.net 5

6 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Name(s) of applicant(s) Mailing address Phone (Home) (Other) Name of children (if Family Membership) Membership Category: Individual $25/yr Family $35/yr Sustaining $70/yr (Payment of Sustaining Membership dues permits choice of a guidebook.) Please describe any special skills or equipment you have that may be of use in carrying out any of the tasks Trails West performs (e.g., welding, engraving, or word processing skills; equipment such as computer, scanner, appropriate software; gas-powered generator; pickup truck): Send this application with your check to: Trails West, Inc., P. O. Box 12045, Reno NV We appreciate your willingness to become involved in our trail marking efforts. If you would like additional information about our activities, please check our website at send letter to PO Box, to dicbee@sbcglobal.net (webmaster) or call (916) J. Everett, Editor TRAILS WEST, INC. P. O. BOX RENO NV 89510