ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2025
GCTC volunteer hours report to the Tahoe National Forest: 
2025 Total: 2,117.7 hours
GCTC organization
Reviewed previous strategic plan and updated for 2025
Developed 2025 budget with enhanced monthly treasurers report
 
Outreach and Education
Formed a new Activities/Education committee which organized the first Horseshoes and Handlebars clinic bringing bicyclists and equestrians together.
Set up an education table at a NorCal Mtn Bike Race educating contestants on multi-use trail safety and how to approach horses safely on shared trails.
Worked with Nevada County Superintendent of Schools and BONC, to create a Multi-use Trail Safety Course for all students grades 5-12 in Western Nevada County.  
 
Public Awareness and Education
Provided educational booths at the Nevada Country Recreation Fair, Loomis Basin Equine Health Fair, and BYLT Celebration of Trails.
Showed the general public that GCTC members work hard and have fun with participation in the Mardi Gras,  Penn Valley Rodeo, July Fourth, and Constitution Day parades.
 
Tahoe National Forest
Continued working with TNF through Forest Service Liaison/ Forest Service Reports.
GCTC President and Vice President communication with District Ranger and Forest Supervisor.
Shared incident reports from members on trail conditions and user interactions.
 
Workdays and Camping events
Cleared and maintained trails in the Lone Grave system, the Skillman area and Burlington Ridge.
Enjoyed camping fun and shared work at Little Lasier Meadows and Loney Meadows.
GCTC members participated in BONC Grouse fest clearing trails.
Joined TNF, BONC and NCWR for a successful and fun United Trials Day working on the Pioneer and Deer Creek trails.
Tools and supplies were stored and transported to sites with the very useful equipment trailer.
 
GCTC Support of Trails
Continued trail clearing as well as trail sign maintenance.
Provided portable toilet at Loney Meadow camp/work and BBQ ride with an extension of one month at the GCETH.
Monitored Pioneer Trail reconstruction with communication with Tahoe National Forest trail managers as well as actual trail work by GCTC volunteers.
Continued involvement with Pines to Mines Route with trail work, sign committee, meetings & field trips to ensure horse-friendly staging areas and campgrounds.
GCTC representative presence for the Bear River/Centennial Dam Planning to advocate for equestrian use.
 Trail Patrol Ambassadors
Held an education workshop and several Confidence Course workshops that certified many new trail patrol ambassadors on horseback and on foot.
Many trail patrol members and general members participated in CPR/first aid classes arranged by GCTC.
 
Member Education/Communication
Held two staging area field trips to educate members on parking friendly locations to access the Hwy 20 corridor trails. 
Provided Map App instructional sessions before general meetings and a map ap challenge at the fall appreciation ride.
Recruited interesting and educational speakers at general meetings.
Kept members informed about events and related topics through the GCTC email communications and face book page.
Produced an outstanding newsletter for the reading enjoyment of all members.
 
Poker ride fund raiser and support of Skillman
Held the popular annual Poker Ride fundraiser and awareness of local trails event at Skillman campground.
Supported horse camping by providing a dumpster for manure at Skillman campground.

​Guided rides/Horse presence on trails
Led guided rides at Spenceville, Round Mountain, Skillman, Lone Grave, and Grouse Ridge to introduce trails to members and encourage a horse presence on the trails.
Provided docent led rides at Hidden falls expansion/Big Hills Preserve.
Created a Share the Hoot campaign and weekly rides to create awareness to bicyclists that equestrians will be on the Hoot trail, primarily on odd numbered calendar days, including a spirited Halloween on the Hoot Costume Ride.
 
Appreciation of GCTC volunteers
Provided lunch on workdays including UTD.
Held a relaxed Officer retreat and ride in the Grouse Ridge area to thank all the hard-working GCTC officers and committee leads.
Recognized the many GCTC members who volunteer many hours of time with the annual Volunteer Appreciation Trail Ride and BBQ lunch.
Nominated five awesome candidates for the annual Top Hand award which was bestowed upon Jeff and Michelle Harter.
 
Volunteer hours
An outstanding total of 2117.7 volunteer hours recorded for the forest service in 2025
ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2024
GCTC volunteer hours report to the Tahoe National Forest:
912 Trail Patrol hours  - 617.75 TrailWork hours. 
2024 Total: 1,529.75 hours
  • Constructed the interior of the tool trailer including compartments and shelves for GCTC inventory for its initial use this year.
  • Organized and led day rides at Spenceville, three at Royal Gorge, Ananda tulip ride, Round Mountain.
  • Coordinated monthly workdays for clearing and maintaining area trails, Lone Grave, Hallelujah, Pioneer, and others
  • Continued annual maintenance at Skillman Campground with three workdays cleaning the camp in a joint workday with NCWR, and two GCTC days, clearing surrounding trails and corral repair. Continued sponsorship of 2-yard manure dumpster.
  • Provided a GCTC information booth at Loomis Basin Equine Health Fair and BYLT Celebration of Trails.
  • Participated in the BONC organized Grouse Fest working on the Pioneer Trail and the Spaulding Lake trail.
  • Helped to organize and participate in United Trails Day with NCWR, BONC and GCTC member volunteers, with trail bed work and signs on the Pioneer trail, and brush clearing on Towle Mill and Hallelujah trails
  • Continued meetings and negotiations regarding safe shared use of the Hoot trail.
  • Remained working with the Pines to Mines committees to ensure an equestrian presence.
  • Arranged successful general meetings showcasing interesting speakers.
  • Coordinated with PCTC (Pacific Crest Trails Association) to work on a section of the PCT trail near Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp/Jackson Meadows Reservoir.
  • Enjoyed fun and rewarding working camp outs at Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp and Loney Meadows.
  • Organized popular Membership Appreciation Ride and ​BBQ
  • Sponsored portable toilets at Loney Meadow campout and the Appreciation Ride.
  • Continued work with the TNF Yuba River Ranger District regarding the reconstruction of the Pioneer trail that was obliterated by the Hwy 20 construction.
  • Organized an important disaster preparedness trailer loading clinic with Nevada County Horsemen and Sheriff Dept H.E.A.R.T.
  • Led a field trip to familiarize members with staging areas along the Hwy 20 corridor.
  • Reached out to improve communication and cooperation with bicyclists through BONC, including a GCTC member liaison.
  • Participated in the Penn Valley Rodeo Parade and the Nevada City Constitution Day Parade with a great group of riders and walkers to improve public awareness.
  • Submitted photos and wrote an article that was published in the Union Newspaper.
  • Planned and produced a fun and successful Poker Ride fundraiser.
  • Supported the Hidden Falls/Big Hill Preserves expansion with GCTC volunteers.
  • Participated in a bicycle and horse education clinic with a local school bicycle club.
  • Completed two Trail Patrol Ambassador education workshops and welcomed several new trail ambassador volunteers.
  • Awarded Top Hand for 2024 to Jamie Canon, a tireless volunteer!
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2023
  • GCTC members attended Nevada County Woods Riders annual meeting. Miners Foundry, Nevada City. Emphasis on all forest user groups working together. Presentation by/about Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship.
  • GCTC members planned and volunteered at many successful trail workdays throughout the year:
    Clearing Lone Grave area trails.
    Two workdays at Skillman Campground. One joint workday with the Nevada County Woods Riders cleaning camp, and a second one with GCTC members clearing the Pioneer, Hallelujah, and Dogwood trails.
    Little Lasier Meadow camp and workday, cleaning camp, repairing corrals, clearing surrounding trails.
  • Continued successful communication and cooperation with Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts regarding GCTC involvement with Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp.
  • Loney Meadows camp and workday, well attended with lots of clearing done and a short reroute on the Bull Pen Lake Trail avoiding a very rocky area.
  • Three-person GCTC volunteer crew repaired a section and cut out two large trees on the Pioneer Trail above Lang Crossing.
    “Pop up” workday rerouting a short section of the tie trail between the Dascombe and Harmony trails.
  • GCTC members participated in Grouse Fest with Bicyclists of Nevada County and Tahoe National Forest, clearing along a portion of the Grouse Ridge Trail, and scouting additional sections of trail for needed work.
  • Communicated with Ken Taylor of the Pacific Crest Trail Association about possible improvement work on a narrow section of the PCT near Jackson Meadows Reservoir.
  • Very successful fund raiser Poker Ride with many GCTC volunteers and participants enjoying a beautiful weekend in the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Participated in two parades, Penn Valley Rodeo and Fourth of July, with many riders and walkers representing and promoting GCTC.
  • Enjoyed trail rides at Spenceville, Ananda, to the town of Washington, and a pre-ride at Royal Gorge. Trail rides were hampered by highway work on Highway 20 and I-80.
  • GCTC information booths at the Loomis Basin Equine Health Fair, featuring a test your knowledge wheel for kids, and at the Bear Yuba Land Trust’s Celebration of Trails in Nevada City with pony rides for youngsters.
  • GCTC Volunteer Appreciation Ride staged from the Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head, with marked trails and a delicious lunch following the ride.
    ​​
  • At a lovely site along the Dascombe Trail, a picnic table was placed for trail users. The table was provided by GCTC and BONC with a plaque: In honor of Sue and Willie Brusin, life members of GCTC, for their unwavering dedication in support of trails for all users to enjoy.
  • Provided a portable toilet at the Loney Meadows camp/workday and the GCTC Volunteer Appreciation Ride at the Gold Country Equestrian Trail
    Head.
  • The GCTC Online Merchandise Store was launched on the GCTC web site with a variety of logo items for GCTC members to purchase.
  • General Meetings were held every other month, including updates on GCTC activities, social time, refreshments, and informative speakers. Board meetings were held on alternate months, where the board members discussed and planned pertinent aspects in keeping with the GCTC mission.
    Non-board members were welcomed with several attending and providing valuable input.
  • Many members participated and enjoyed the November dinner meeting.
  • GCTC members were involved with the Hidden Falls Regional Trails Expansion Project, providing comments and suggestions in support of the new trail head staging area. 
  • GCTC purchased and helped install equestrian-friendly gate latches along the trail routes and some GCTC members
    volunteered as land stewards, and hike/ride docents. The equestrian docent program grew to 40 rides with over 200 riders participating.
  • GCTC members met with the new Non-motorized Trail Manager of the Yuba River Ranger District, John Kenny, fostering continued cooperation in the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Donated to The Nevada County Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team (H.E.A.R.T.), a non-profit organization associated with the Nevada County Sheriff/Animal Control for their purchase of a specialized life like horse training mannequin.
  • Purchased the much-anticipated cargo trailer for storing and transporting GCTC tools and equipment.
  • Continued to stay active with the proposed Pines to Mines trail route, emphasizing concerns about approval of e-bike usage on the trail through the comment period and meeting with Tahoe National Forest Service staff for discussion.
  • Trail Patrol continued their rides and hikes as ambassadors on the trails of Tahoe National Forest, logging in 436 volunteer hours.
  • In addition, GCTC trail workers logged in 796 hours for a total of 1,259 volunteer hours, which were reported to the Yuba River Ranger District.
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2022
After almost two yeas of limited work because of Covid, GCTC members
​completed many hours of trail work, trail head and campground maintenance in 2022
  • Cleared trees and brush from the Lone Grave area trails, the Hallelujah and Pioneer Trails.
  • Finished a short re-route on the Dascombe trail.
  •  Performed annual maintenance and cleaning of Skillman Campground and cleared surrounding trails.  
  • Continued sponsorship of a 2-yard dumpster for manure waste at Skillman Campground.
  • Held our campout and annual maintenance of Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp and surrounding trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Held our campout and trail maintenance at Loney Meadow including re-establishing the Lundeen Camp trail, and extensive repair work to the switchbacks on the Bull Pen Lake Trail.
  • Cut brush and cleared numerous trees on the Pioneer Trail along Bowman Road. Replaced and improved trail signs.
  • Replaced a gate and repaired the corrals at Packsaddle Campground.
  • Participated with members of NCWR, BONC and the TNF on the annual United Trails Day event, working on a section of motorized trail near Last Chance Mine Road. GCTC members prepared and served the lunch this year. ​
  • Continued cooperation with Nevada County Woods Riders on trail work, especially clearing of fallen trees on the motorized trails as well as the non-motorized trails.
  • Participated, representing GCTC in two parades: Penn Valley Rodeo and July 4 Independence Day parades.
  • Held a very successful GCTC Poker Ride Fundraiser at Skillman Horse Camp.  ​​

  • Coordinated day rides at Spenceville Wildlife Area and Royal Gorge.
  • Hosted the annual ride and BBQ at the Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head. 
  • Continued support and participation for the Pines to Mines Trail, advocating for non-inclusion of electric bicycles.General Meetings were held every other month, including updates on GCTC activities, social time, refreshments, and informative speakers. 
  • GCTC members were involved with the Hidden Falls Regional Trails Expansion Project, providing comments and suggestions in support of the new trail head staging area. 
  • GCTC purchased and helped install equestrian-friendly gate latches along the trail routes and some GCTC members
    volunteered as land stewards, and hike/ride docents. The equestrian docent program grew to 40 rides with over 200 riders participating.​
  • GCTC members met with the new Non-motorized Trail Manager of the Yuba River Ranger District, John Kenny, fostering continued cooperation in the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Started a GPX trail track program using phone trail apps. The tracks to be available on the GCTC web site to download onto a phone app. GCTC members provided instruction on the use of trail apps. ​​​
ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2017
  • Completed development and adoption of the Gold Country Trails Council Five Year Strategic Plan.
  • Continued to promote ongoing cooperative efforts with Tahoe National Forest staff of the United States Forest Service for future projects.
  • Conducted a complete financial audit.
  •  Participated in Bear Yuba Land Trust Celebration of Trails Day.
  • Held the most successful ever GCTC Poker Ride Fundraiser at Skillman Horse Camp.
  • Participated in three local parades, the Nevada County 4th of July Parade, the Penn Valley Parade, the Nevada City Constitution Parade 
  • Completed the five year project of the Cable/Hoot trail, working with Tahoe National Forest.
  • Worked on grooming the trail pad on the Dascombe trail reroute.
  • Established the Adopt -a-Trail segment program.
  • Created and filled a  Trail Workday Coordinator position.
  • Held the first annual Tack Sale in cooperation with Nevada County Horsemen
  • In spite of the most rain in over 100 years, GCTC volunteers put in hundreds of work hours on the trails in the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Participated with 24 member volunteers in United Trails Day at Packsaddle campground.
  • Became a co-sponsor of Pines to Mines trail and fundraising activities.
  • Coordinated day rides at Spenceville Wildlife Area, Cronan Ranch, and Royal Gorge.
  • Hosted the Annual Ride and Member Appreciation BBQ at the Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head.​
  • Established a Hoot Trail Liaison position with Tahoe National Forest.
  • Little Lasier Horse Camp work completed: Connector Trail lopped and pruned, one rough spot reconstructed, Blue Trail cleared of leaning trees, Pass Trail (section 1) was remarked, fence and gate portion constructed on the new permanent corral next to camp site 3. A large crew worked on main 4-plex corrals.
  • Loney Meadow camp and trail work completed: brush and branches cut back on the entrance road between Bowman Road and Black’s Cabin, and cut back White Thorn the road between the Dairy and Bowman Mountain.
  • Awarded the Top Hand award to Jeff Foltz..
ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2015
  • Promoted ongoing cooperative efforts with Tahoe National Forest staff of the United States Forest Service for future projects.​

  • Brushed and trimmed trails in the Lone Grave and Upper Pioneer trail systems, maintained signs and posted maps at Lone Grave.

  • Stump grinding at Skillman Horse Camp, cleared brush on trails around Skillman, leveled and filled corral floors with DG.

  • Replaced trail signs at White Cloud.

  • Collaborated with Bear Yuba Land Trust to plan equestrian parking and trail work at Rice’s Crossing.

  • Cleared trees and brush from trails in the Lone Grave system, Pioneer Trail, Skillman/Burlington Road area, Little Lasier Meadow connector trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Loney Meadow area trails.

  • Coordinated day rides at Spenceville Wildlife Area, Cronan Ranch, and Royal Gorge.
​
  • Provided United Trails Day with highest number ever of GCTC volunteers.

  • Camped/rode/worked at Little Lasier Meadow Horse Camp, cleaning and raking campsites and brush clearing up to Pacific Crest Trail, a joint effort with Tahoe National Forest, California Land Management and Gold Country Trails Council to maintain this beautiful camp with the primary focus on horse use.

  • Camped/rode/worked at Loney Meadow, clearing brush and trees and re-routing dangerous trail, a great joint effort with Tahoe National Forest.

  • Sponsored 2015 Poker Ride fundraiser.

  • Sponsored the Annual Ride and Bar-B-Q at Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head.

  • Brought our new website on-line.
​
  • Sponsored a trail obstacle clinic at Running I Ranch.
​
  • Sponsored Porta-potty at Lone Grave Trailhead through the summer.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS  |  2014
  • Completed the re-route of Pioneer Trail.

  • Brushed and trimmed trails in the Lone Grave and Upper Pioneer trail systems, maintained signs and posted maps at Lone Grave.

  • Sponsored Porta-potty at Lone Grave available through the summer.

  • Filled potholes with gravel in the access road to Skillman Horse Camp, cleared brush on trails around Skillman, leveled and filled corral floors.

  • Camped/rode/worked at Loney Meadow, clearing brush and trees.

  • Cleared trees from trails in the Lone Grave system, Pioneer Trail, Skillman Horse Camp/Burlington Road area, Little Lasier Meadow connector trail and Pacific Crest Trail, Loney Meadow area trails.

  • Worked with the Tahoe National Forest for future projects, including a connector trail from Rock Creek to Harmony Trail and a phone line into Skillman Horse Camp.

  • Participated in United Trails Day with highest number ever of GCTC volunteers.

  • Joined Action Coalition for Equestrians, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving and expanding the availability of Northern California public trails for equestrian use.

  • Awarded the TOP HAND award to Willie Brusin.