2017 SEGMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT SEGMENT 3: MT ROSE / TAHOE MEADOWS TO SPOONER SUMMIT
REPORT SUMMARY This report is a compilation of information collected on the Tahoe Rim Trail during assessments performed throughout the 2017 field season. The purpose of this report is to disseminate and record information on existing conditions and to use that information to plan improvements and modifications to trail assets and facilities. In addition, this report can help guide planning for future volunteer trail work days to address deficiencies large and small. For more information please contact Chris Binder, Director of Trail Operations, Tahoe Rim Trail Association at 775.298.4494 or ChrisB@TahoeRimTrail.org. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW 1 ASSESSMENT PROCESS & GOALS 2017 FORMAL ASSESSMENT LOCATIONS 02 RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3 TRAIL DEFICIENCIES SIGN ISSUES CAMPNG IMPACTS 03 NEXT STEPS 13 ASSESSMENT PROJECTIONS 2018-2020 0
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT PROCESS & GOALS 01 Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) prescribed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) call for trail managers to conduct thorough trail assessments on all trails on a regular schedule. These assessments are meant to identify trail deficiencies and other concerns (including sign issues and campsite impacts) so that they can be corrected or otherwise addressed. The TMOs for the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and its official spurs and connecting trails (the TRT system) require such an assessment every five years. In addition, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has a desire to provide the public with accurate information regarding trail assets and features, such as the location of water sources and scenic vistas. To meet TMO requirements, and to collect and disseminate pertinent trail information to the public, the TRTA has instituted a trail assessment program. This program utilizes a high-accuracy Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device to record information in the field and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze, display and share that information. This report will focus only on those aspects of the assessment that can be improved or upgraded, namely trail deficiencies, signs, and camping impacts, and will not discuss the data collected for public information. Trail assessments are scheduled so that the entire TRT system can be assessed over a period of four years, with a fifth year available to re-survey sections and/or to provide time to cover any sections that were missed. This means that each year, approximately 50 miles of trail must be covered. Whenever possible, assessments are conducted collaboratively between Segment Coordinator(s) (volunteer trail maintainers) and TRTA s Director of Trail Operations. The Segment Coordinator(s) provide detailed background information on the trail section, as well as suggestions for improvements. The Director of Trail Operations records the information in the GPS unit, provides consistency between segments and, when appropriate, offers a second opinion. The information recorded in the field is transferred to a GIS maintained by the TRTA. From there the data is used to create this report, plan trail workdays, improve facilities, and update maps, webpages, and other sources of information for the public. 1 TRAIL ASSESSMENT GOALS Inventory Trail Deficiencies, Assets and Other Issues Build Digital Trail Information Database Improve the Trail System Provide Information to the Public
Please note that information specific to trailheads is not included in this report but can be found in a separate Trailhead Assessment Report. 2017 ASSESSMENT LOCATIONS For administrative purposes, the TRT is divided into nine segments separated by major trailheads. In 2017, formal assessment work took place on sections of five segments. Due to funding sources with geographical restrictions, assessment work in 2017 and 2018 is focusing mostly on the TRT in Nevada, though a large chunk of Segment 8 in Desolation Wilderness was also assessed this year. The complete list of assessment locations in 2017 is as follows: Segment 2: Brockway to Mt Rose / Tahoe Meadows Western Gray Lake intersection to Relay Ridge (4.9 miles) Relay Ridge to Frog Pond Spur, including Mt Houghton (2.9 miles) Segment 3: Mt Rose / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit Tunnel Creek Road to Christopher s Loop (3.6 miles) Hobart Road to North Canyon Trail intersection (4.5 miles) North Canyon Trail intersection to Spooner Summit (4 miles) Segment 4: Spooner Summit to Kingsbury North Spooner Summit to Genoa Road (3.5 miles) Genoa Road to Logan House Road (3.7 miles) Segment 5: Kingsbury North to Kingsbury South Kingsbury North to Kingsbury Grade, including Castle Rock (3.9 miles) Kingsbury South to Van Sickle (5 miles) Segment 8: Echo Lake to Barker Pass Bear Lake Road to Bayview/Eagle Lake Intersection (15 miles) A total of approximately 51 miles was formally assessed in 2017. Additional sections of trail were assessed for sign issues or other specific reasons and are included in the information on each segment. 2
RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SEGMENT 3: MT ROSE / TAHOE MEADOWS TO SPOONER SUMMIT 02 The trail formally assessed in Segment 3 is generally in excellent condition, though some sections need attention in the next few years to avoid evolving issues. A Backcountry Camp (or two) is planned for the summer of 2019 to address three minor realignments that will address deficiencies 31701, 31702 and 31703. TRAIL DEFICIENCIES Twelve low- and moderate-priority deficiencies were recorded in Segment 3, most of which concern locations where erosion is evident due to poor or missing drainage features or poor trail alignment. No deficiencies were noted between Tunnel Creek Road and Christopher s Loop, including the loop trail. Deficiency 31701 Description: Water funneling down 150 ft of trail Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 172 Notes: A reroute of approximately 700 ft has been designed Deficiency 31702 Description: Water funneling down 75 ft of trail Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 100 Notes: A reroute of approximately 330 feet has been designed 3
Deficiency 31703 Description: Water funneling down 300 ft of trail Priority: Moderate Special Equipment: Possibly a Griphoist Estimated Hours: 300 Notes: A reroute of approximately 860 ft has been designed. Deficiency 31704 Description: Water funneling down 75 ft of trail Priority: Low Estimated Hours: 0 Notes: Perform basic maintenance and monitor for changes. Deficiency 31705 Description: No Drainage Priority: Low Estimated Hours: 5 Notes: Re-establish drain above turn and deberm the turn drainage 4
Deficiency 31706 Description: Significant Berm Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 10 Notes: Major deberming needed for approximately 1500 ft south. Improve the drainage above the turn. Deficiency 31707 Description: Water Funnel Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 10 Notes: Install two rolling grade dips. Deficiency 31708 Type: Failing Structure Description: Busted Waterbar Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 5 Notes: Fix Waterbar 5
Deficiency 31709 Description: Tread Scouring Priority: Low Estimated Hours: 60 Notes: Replace Waterbar and install rolling dip Deficiency 31710 Type: Too Wide Description: Double Track Priority: Low Estimated Hours: 8 Notes: Deficiency 31711 Description: Tread Scoured Out Priority: Moderate Estimated Hours: 8 Notes: Monitor Deficiency 31712 Type: Too Narrow Description: Tread Falling Down Hill Priority: Low Estimated Hours: 20 Notes: Monitor, backslope is rock. 6
SIGN ISSUES Location: Tunnel Creek Road South Action: Replace illegible sign Location: South of Snapdragon Junction Action: Add confidence marker facing clockwise Location: Tunnel Creek South Vista Spur Action: Install 4x6 with vista marker and arrow Location: North of Christopher s Loop Junc. Action: Remove CM. Add NRT CM facing Counterclockwise. Location: South of Christopher s Loop Junc. Action: Add CM facing clockwise. 7
Location: Laxalt Junc. / Hobart Rd Crossing Action: Replace faded CM. Location: Laxalt Junc. / Hobart Rd Crossing Action: Add no motorized sign. Location: S. of Laxalt Junc. / Hobart Rd Crossing Action: Replace faded CM. Location: Spooner North TH Action: Remove no motorized sign. Location: Spooner North TH Action: Install no motorized sign 8
Location: Spooner N Equestrian TH Action: Add TRT Access marker at top. Location: Dirt Road Crossing on Spooner North TH Equestrian Access Trail Action: Remove broken carsonite. Install TRT Access marker 9
CAMPING IMPACTS Only two sites were discovered where obvious camping impacts had occurred. Though both sites are within the borders of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, where camping is prohibited, neither are recommended for restoration as one is on Tunnel Creek Road which is already heavily impacted and the other is so far off the trail that it does not appear to get much use as a nearby vista has become overgrown so the site is likely already in the process of recovery on its own. Campsite C1701 Location Type: Prohibited In Guthook App: No Approximate Area: 500+ sq ft Approximate Barren Core: 300+ sq ft Vegetative Ground Cover: 0% Vegetation Change: 76-100% Soil Exposure: 76-100% Soil Exposure Change: 76-100% Campsite Durability: Durable Cleanliness: Charcoal or Litter Trail Visibility: Easily Visible Social Trails: None Tree Damage: None Root Exposure: None Other Sites Visible: None Development: Moderate Fire Rings, Development Proximity to Water: 100+ ft Recovery Potential: Complete Restoration Impossible or Longer than 5-10 Years Recovery Recommended: No Condition Class: 3-Heavy Impact 10
Campsite C1702 Location Type: Prohibited In Guthook App: No Approximate Area: 200 sq ft Approximate Barren Core: Under 50 sq ft Vegetative Ground Cover: 6-25% Vegetation Change: 1-5% Soil Exposure: 51-75% Soil Exposure Change: 1-5% Campsite Durability: Not Durable, Not Fragile Cleanliness: Essentially Spotless Trail Visibility: Completely Screened Social Trails: One Tree Damage: None Root Exposure: One Tree Other Sites Visible: None Development: None Proximity to Water: 100+ ft Recovery Potential: Would Require Moderate Restoration Effort Recovery Recommended: No Condition Class: 1-Slight Impact 11
Trail Assessment Segment 3: Mt Rose/Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit C1701 31701 31702 31704 31703 31705 31707 31706 AREA OF DETAIL LEGEND Deficiency Campsite 31709 C1702 31708 Assessed Trail TRT Not Assessed 0 0.5 1 Miles 12 31710 31711 31712
NEXT STEPS 03 ASSESSMENT PROJECTIONS 2018-2020 Approximately 12.1 miles were formally assessed on Segment 3 in 2017, which is nearly half of the 26.3 mile segment. The schedule for future formal assessments is as follows: July 2018 Diamond Peak to Tunnel Creek Road (3.1 miles) Christopher s Loop to Hobart Road (3.4 miles) August 2018 Ophir Creek TH Spur to Diamond Peak (4.7 miles) September 2018 Mt Rose Summit TH to Ophir Creek TH Spur (3 miles) 13