The Hoover Wilderness — Snowlands Appeals a Forest Service Decision for 7000 Recreation Acres

Home , Emigrant Wilderness, Hoover Wilderness, Mount Rose (Nevada), Mount Rose Wilderness

We are human power in action We promote muscle-powered winter recreation We preserve and protect California and Nevada winter wildlands

IMPORTANT DATES Explorer and historian FOR 2005/2006 Andy Selters presents: • Lassen volunteer trail days, HIGH SIERRA: October 15 & 29 (page 12) HIGH ON SKIS! • Bear Valley Telemark Festival, Abundant food. Silent auction. February 10-12 Bring your friends! (page 7) • Snowlands presents: Berkeley, November 10 The Banff Film Festival, Palo Alto, November 11 Sunnyvale, February 23 Reno, November 18

CA: THE HOOVER WILDERNESS — SNOWLANDS APPEALS A FOREST SERVICE DECISION FOR 7000 RECREATION ACRES

Forest issued a Decision opening 7,000 acres of the Proposed Hoover Wilderness Addition to snowmobiles. We believe that a bad precedent was set when they did not follow required administrative procedures. Most important, in our view, the FS did not do their best to consider users’ inputs and create alternatives that would benefit everybody. As a result, on September 6, 2005 Snowlands Network filed an appeal of the Decision to open 7,000 acres of the Proposed Hoover Wilderness Addition to snowmobile use. Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Wilder- ness Society and the Range of Light Group of the Hoover offers wide open spaces for great Spring skiing Sierra Club are just three of the other recreation and environmental organizations who oppose the HISTORY: In 1984, the Proposed Hoover Wil- Decision to open these Hoover Addition lands to derness Addition, a glorious 47,000 acres of snowmobile use. Winter Wildlands Alliance is a mountains, bowls and meadows east of the Sier- co-appellant on the Snowlands appeal while the ra crest (south of Highway 108 below Sonora other organizations have filed their own appeals. Pass and next to Yosemite NP) was listed in a Snowlands has been working on this issue major Senate Wilderness bill. The Hoover Ad- for two years and is disappointed with the pro- dition was pulled at the last minute. Since then cess and the outcome. Snowlands recognizes that local recreationists and legislators have been decisions should not be based entirely on public working to get the Hoover Addition designated voting. However, in this case, the public’s opinion wilderness. The Forest Service has recommended was clear — 90 percent of the more than 10,000 wilderness status for the area. comments received by the FS opposed opening the In July 2005, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Continued on page 4

Fall 2005 • ©2005 Snowlands Network President’s Perspective Chairman’s Overlook By Ellen Lapham By Marcus Libkind Poised and steady on my With this issue of the cramponed feet I stood on Snowlands Bulletin I am very a knife-edge looking down proud to announce that we on a steep, deep blue ice have fulfilled another of the slope of 80 degrees plus. I goals set when we formed grinned at the view despite Snowlands Network four my exhaustion and the years ago – we have hired incessant, blasting winds. our first professional staff Another ice face climbed, member, Ellen Lapham. another difficult pitch - yet Getting to this point re- we were just a few days up quired taking on significant on the mountain in an expedition that took many new work as well as continuing our ongoing rep- weeks to reach 28,000 feet. That climb was my resentation of your interests. This Bulletin presents 1986 attempt on Mount Everest’s North North- our work since the last issue of Winter 2004/2005. East route. Ellen came on-board full-time on July 1 and Now, 19 years later, my expedition is closer is coming up-to-speed on the many facets of our to home. Joining Snowlands brings me toward organization. She comes to us with excellent busi- my goal of preserving and enjoying our spectacu- ness and public service credentials and a passion lar wilderness. I trust that my experience on big for our work. After receiving her MBA from Stan- mountains and in remote parts of the Far North ford she spent 20 years as an executive in Silicon will help us persevere despite avalanches, ice, Valley. In parallel she chaired Continued next page winds … appeals, injunctions, writs. Over the years I found inspiration in know- ing where we are going (the top of a mountain is a clear goal, readily seen) and how we are going to In this Issue: get there (slog upward under loads). So, I started Snowlands at Work this job by writing my first draft ‘elevator speech’ Hoover Wilderness Addition ...... 1 and proposing a vision: President’s Perspective ...... 2 Chairman’s Overlook ...... 2 Snowlands Network is the only California and California Winter Recreation Plan ...... 3 Nevada advocacy organization for winter recreation Pathway2007 Forum ...... 3 that is powered by muscle (skiing, snowshoeing, Forestdale Lawsuit ...... 5 Yellowstone Study ...... 5 snow-playing, hiking, climbing, birdwatching, Iron Mountain ...... 5 photography, etc). Brockway Summit ...... 6 Today, millions of recreationists — from Benefit: High Sierra: High On Skis! ...... 7 young families with ‘tubes’ to retirees on snowshoes, Tahoe Meadows ...... 8 from Nordic racers on skate skis to backpackers on Bear Valley ...... 8 randonee skis — want open winter landscapes free of Ski Tour: Shealor & Silver Fork Ridge ...... 9 urban ills — noise, pollution, crowding. Nevada Off-Road Vehicle Registration ...... 10 Snowlands has a vision we strive to REI Grant ...... 10 ensure: Future generations will enjoy plentiful Letter to Bureau of Land Management ...... 10 Reno SledFest Cancelled ...... 10 winter recreation acres. They will inherit serene Incline Lake ...... 11 meadows and forests, and quiet mountains Hope Valley ...... 11 with unpolluted watersheds – even when they Lassen Trail Marking Trip ...... 12 are close to high growth urban centers. Winter Wildlands Alliance ...... 12 Volunteers ...... 13 How do we achieve that vision? That is for the Supporing Snowlands ...... 13 next draft. Hooked on the Outdoors ...... 14 Ellen Business Sponsors ...... 14 Affiliate Members ...... 14

2 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org Fall 2005 Chairman (continued from previous page) The WRP covers five areas: (1) access, (2) the board of environmental education center Hid- planning and interagency cooperation, (3) conflict den Villa, volunteered on regional and national between uses, (4) safety and (5) funding. The draft boards, and has spent weeks on skis in the wilder- currently includes separate areas for motorized ness. Ellen has one son, an emerging filmmaker in and non-motorized uses as a key component Los Angeles. I truly believe that with her expertise in the reduction in conflict between uses. This and guidance Snowlands is embarking on signifi- strategy maintains the concept of multiple-use of cant changes that will increase our effectiveness in public lands, but eliminates shared use. representing you. The draft plan also calls out high dollar The entire Board of Directors and numer- amount penalties for trespass into non-motorized ous volunteers have done a fantastic job keeping areas and rear mounted registration numbers or a things going over the difficult past year as we license plate on all over-the-snow vehicles in order increased our fundraising efforts and searched to facilitate enforcement. for the right person to manage the organization. Snowlands believes that inclusion of these We are especially indebted to five major donors, and other parts of the draft winter recreation plan The Morgan Family Foundation, the Fairweather will benefit the human-powered community when Foundation, REI, The Resources Legacy Founda- it lobbies the OHMVR Division and Forest Service tion, and Patagonia. Their trust in the Board of for protection of human-powered winter recre- Directors and support for our work has permitted ation opportunities. us to take this giant step forward. The articles in this Bulletin give you a glimpse of the many things that have been go- CA/NV: The 20 year plan for ing on over the past nine months that affect you. Through it all Snowlands has been there represent- Lake Tahoe Basin ing all non-motorized winter recreationists. It is Snowlands is a core member difficult to say one issue is any more important of the public interest advisory than another, but for me the current negotiations group for Pathway 2007, a coor- with the snowmobile community and agencies dinated joint-effort of state and regarding establishment of non-motorized areas federal government agencies in the Iron Mountain area is very near and dear to to plan the future of the Lake me. Why? Directors Jim Gibson, Janet Hoffmann Tahoe Basin. This 3-year process and I have worked on this for 19 years. began in December 2004 and will Today I am hopeful. I see the potential for continue through 2006. It will a collaborative agreement between parties that provide concrete recommenda- will lead to the designation of non-motorized tions for management of the Basin. winter areas along the Highway 88 corridor on The Pathway 2007 Forum, a 40-member the Amador Ranger District, Eldorado National panel that represents the diverse constituencies Forest. of the Lake Tahoe Basin, meets monthly. As a Marcus Forum member, Snowlands Network President Ellen Lapham represents “national, non-motorized” users. This includes summer and winter recreationists. Ellen has taken over from Director Gail Ferrell in this role. CA: Progress on a Please contact Ellen at Snowlands Network Statewide Winter if you know of any group that would like to have input into the uses and concerns of non-motor- Recreation Plan ized recreation at or around Lake Tahoe (contact As a member of the California Winter Recreation information is on page 15). Committee, Marcus Libkind has been working If you would like more information about on a winter recreation plan (WRP) for the State of the Pathway 2007 process, they have their own California. The committee, whose main focus is website: the Sno-Park program, volunteered to draft the winter section of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle www.pathway2007.org Recreation Division’s strategic plan – the WRP.

Fall 2005 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org 3 Hoover (continued from 1) Hoover Addition to motorized uses. Issue: Enforcement The Forest Service’s Decision claims that the remaining 40,000 acres of the Proposed Hoover Wilderness Addition, Emigrant Wilderness and Yosemite National Park will be “protected from snowmobile trespass through on-going enforcement activities…” Snowlands’ appeal asks “what on-going enforcement?” For the past 18 years the Forest Service did not enforce the existing snowmobile closure of the entire 47,000 acres. During the 2004- 2005 winter our volunteer monitors documented extensive trespass. The Forest Service acknowledged the trespass. Not one citation was issued although the FS had committed to enforce the area closure and had California state money in hand for enforcement! Under the 2005 Decision the new snowmobile boundaries are more remote and harder to monitor. In the past, only the Leavitt Lake Road Corridor was open to snowmobile use. Even the Forest Service agrees that it will be more difficult to patrol the new boundary that is along the Sierra the closed area. We do not believe this is an “un- Crest, the border of Emigrant Wilderness. hampered” wilderness experience. Issue: Environmental Assessment Alternatives The Appeal Snowlands’ appeal challenges the adequacy of the Snowlands Network’s appeal is strong. We claim environmental assessment (EA). The Forest Ser- that the Forest Service failed to follow procedures vice defined the project narrowly and foreclosed set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act reasonable alternatives thus dictating a singular and the Administrative Procedure Act when they outcome. Specifically, the EA failed to explore and failed to give the public adequate environmental evaluate reasonable alternatives that could have information prior to the comment period on the eliminated the need for opening the Hoover Addi- project. A June 30, 2005 court ruling addresses this tion area or at least mitigate the negative impacts exact issue and clearly supports the appeal claim. of opening the area while still providing addition- Next Steps al snowmobile opportunities. If the appeal is denied, Snowlands can seek an Issue: Resource Protection injunction to halt the implementation of the Deci- The “resource protection measures” that the Forest sion. This would require the Forest Service to con- Service claim in the decision will protect the envi- tinue to manage the 7,000 acres as non-motorized ronment and other Forest users fail to meet their until the court rules on our legal challenge to the intended goal – they merely rehash the status quo Decision. and are dependent upon funding and resources In July, the Mono County Board of Supervi- that do not exist. sors, in a non-binding but important vote, sup- Issue: Wilderness Experience ported adding 40,000 acres of the Hoover Addition The one concession in the Decision to non-mo- to the Wilderness while leaving the remaining torized recreationists is that the area “would be 7,000 open to snowmobile use. available for unhampered backcountry skiing and When will the Hoover Addition come up snowshoeing after April 15.” However, the Leavitt again in Washington for Wilderness designation? Lake Road Corridor, which bisects the 7,000 acres, Snowlands can only hope that local and regional will remain open to snowmobiles after April 15. politicians will follow through with their support. Skiers and snowshoers will be forced to share Snowlands Network Continued on next page miles of terrain with snowmobiles before reaching

4 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org Fall 2005 Hoover (continued from previous page) conclusion so long as the study continues to be will continue to monitor the Hoover area and based on science. When it comes to providing ac- document trespass and failure of the Forest Service cess to the park, snowcoaches are equalizing in to enforce motor vehicle boundaries regardless of that they give all individuals the same opportu- where they are located. You can see Forest Service nity to see Yellowstone in winter. This includes documents at: children, the elderly and the disabled. The use of www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/ snowmobiles benefits one group of park visitors at the detriment of other park visitors who must live • We are particularly indebted to volunteer Jeff with the noise and odor of the machines, or just Erdoes who, over the past two years, spent many not visit the park. days monitoring the area and provided important The good news is that while the Administra- input to the appeal. tion continues with its single-minded approach, • A hearty thanks goes to the east-side Sierra data show that visitors and local business owners are already shifting to other modes of winter trans- activists that made the Mono County vote a portation. The Director of the West Yellowstone reality. Chamber of Commerce acknowledged earlier this year that a transition is definitely underway, thus shifting the local economy. Business owners are CA: Forestdale Lawsuit investing in snowcoaches and visitors are riding Ruling Split, We Appealed them in larger and larger numbers while the demand for snowmobile rentals is down. Friends of Hope Valley and individuals - including three of Snowlands’ directors - have appealed Judge David Levi’s ruling on their lawsuit chal- CA: Iron Mountain — lenging the Forestdale Creek Winter Travel Plan that did not sufficiently address the conflict be- We Negotiate for Non- tween motorized and non-motorized uses. Levi Motorized Areas Along ruled that the Travel Plan violated the National Environmental Policy Act, but he ruled against Highway 88 the plaintiff’s on their claim that the Forest Service Almost 20 years ago Directors Janet Hoffmann, illegally gave jurisdiction of Forestdale Road to Jim Gibson and Marcus Libkind met with the then Alpine County based on what is referred to as RS Amador District Ranger, Eldorado National For- 2477. With County jurisdiction, management of est to discuss meeting the needs for non-motor- the road would not be part of the greater Hope ized winter recreation in the Iron Mountain area. Valley Winter Recreation Plan. Today, due to the hard work of several Snowlands Winning on NEPA ensures that there will be volunteers, there is finally light at the end of the a new environmental assessment. It will be in the proverbial tunnel. Meetings between Snowlands form of a greater Hope Valley Winter Recreation volunteers and representatives of the snowmobile Plan. The RS 2477 claim, which is the subject of community, the Forest Service and the state Off- the appeal, is important because winning on it Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division have will give the Forest Service the ability to close been very productive. Forestdale Road to snowmobile use as part of the Site-specific discussions are taking place new plan. aimed at creating possibly two non-motorized areas along Highway 88 in the Iron Mountain to Silver Lake area. In a compromise that is being dis- NATIONAL: A Fourth cussed, the snowmobile community would receive improved snowmobile access in areas too far for Yellowstone Winter Study one-day access by skiers and snowshoers. After three studies have conclusively shown that But the devil’s in the details. Last winter’s the best way to protect Yellowstone National Park on-the-ground meeting attended by all the stake- in winter is to replace snowmobile access with holders was followed by a late summer on-the- snowcoaches, the Bush Administration has begun ground meeting between our chairman, Marcus a fourth study. Snowlands hopes that you sent in your Libkind, and the vice-president of the California comments in response to our Alert this summer. Nevada Snowmobile Association, Jay Dobler. The Clearly a new study will not generate a new negotiations continue. Fall 2005 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org 5 CA: Support a Non-Motorized Area at Brockway Summit above Lake Tahoe – Write!

Snowlands Network has an action plan to estab- These numbers include 2,400 to 3,000 public, lish a winter non-motorized area at Brockway non-commercial user days. On a fair-weather Summit, located between Truckee and Lake Tahoe weekend half-day trip, this translates into a skier on Highway 267. A key part of this plan is for hun- or snowshoer being passed by 150 or more snow- dreds of skiers and snowshoers to write letters. mobiles! The key point: there are sufﬁcient lands in the To balance the equation and provide winter area to provide for both motorized and non-mo- recreation for the many non-motorized visitors, torized winter recreation. Snowlands proposes that a four-mile road on the The obvious division is for snowmobilers east side of Highway 267 be set aside as non-mo- (both commercial and private) to continue us- torized. This road ascends gently from Brockway ing the extensive Mt. Watson Road area on the Summit to the top of Martis Peak, and its’ unbeat- highway’s west side. The extensive snowmobile able views of Lake Tahoe. As you can imagine, the resources there include 23 miles of groomed trails, Martis Peak area has long been a destination for two designated snowmobile play areas, and three backcountry skiers and snowshoers. commercial snowmobile concessionaires. There are also other snow-covered roads in The Forest Service estimates that on Mt. the Martis Peak area that would make excellent ski Watson’s groomed trails there are between 8,000 tours if designated, marked and signed. The adja- and 10,000 snowmobile user days per season. cent Mount Rose Wilderness also has wonderful

YOUR LETTER COULD ADD SOME GREAT TRAILS TO THE TAHOE AREA. Visit the Snowlands website (www.snowlands.org) to learn more about this issue and where to write.

John Muir’s Range of Light just might be the best place in the world for backcountry skiing! Join Snowlands Network for the world premiere of a show by noted adventurer Andy Selters that celebrates a century and a half of exploring, working and playing in California’s highest terrain.

With images and stories from the earliest pioneers to the early long tours of Orland Bar- tholomew, from the classic schussers to the hippies and telemarkers, and to the extreme skiers and powder hounds of today, this presentation brings together the generations of people who have soared over the Sierra snowpacks. Andy Selters has found passion in an eclectic range of mountain adventures for almost 30 years. Climber, guide, backcountry skier, writer, pho- tographer, naturalist, … Andy has climbed peaks from Pakistan and Nepal to Alaska, Canada and Bolivia; he has worked in appropriate technology and led charitable treks in northern India; he has bicycled across Tibet – and of all that he’s done he thinks the most fun of all might be skiing the Si- erra backcountry. His recent, award-winning book, Ways to the Sky, is the deﬁnitive history of mountaineering across North America. Andy has been based in the Eastern Sierra for over 15 years, and he brings to this show a vast amount of experience and enthu- siasm for cruising and saving the snowy lands of the Sierra Nevada. Funds raised beneﬁt Snowlands’ activities and advocacy on behalf of California and Ne- vada’s snowy wildlands and winter recreation that is serene, green, and fun. ©Andy Selters Thursday, November 10, Hillside Club, Berkeley Friday, November 11, Palo Alto Women’s Club Friday, November 18, Patagonia Outlet, Reno NV

Time: 6:30 PM – 9:45 PM Tickets Admission: $20 in advance, $25 at the door Online: www.snowlands.org By mail: see the ticket order form, page 15 Show begins at 7:15 PM. Admission includes silent auction, beer, wine, appetizers and dessert, show, and 1 rafﬂe ticket.

Tahoe Meadows is a beautiful 4 square mile area bile trespass continues unabated, Snowlands will just west of the summit on the Mt. Rose Highway press hard to close all of Tahoe Meadows to mo- between Reno and Lake Tahoe. It is by far the most torized winter use. Note, this area is already com- popular area for skiing, snowshoeing and family pletely closed to motorized use in summer. sledding anywhere within 100 miles from this des- Now is the time to ensure those special plac- tination. es are preserved to for all to experience the silent Snowlands and the Humboldt-Toiyabe Na- wonder of winter. Gail Ferrell is Snowlands’ lead tional Forest agree on the numbers: at least 40,000 on this project. people go there for non-motorized snow fun each winter. The Reno area alone will swell to over half a million people within the next 15 years. The demand for public lands to ski, hike and bike will be even greater than now. On a beautiful sunny winter day, 1500 snow-players visit. This has long been an area of human-powered winter sports and continues to be so, with 93% of the users there for skiing, snowshoeing and family snow-play. We have this valuable data because director Gail Ferrell spent days in the ﬁeld counting and photograph- ing users. Snowlands monitored Steep slopes and dramatic ridges lure skiers and snowsho- winter 2004-2005 use at Tahoe Meadows and the ers to explore Tahoe Meadows and Mount Rose Wilderness. surrounding Mt. Rose Wilderness and Galena Drainage. Sadly, snowmobile trespass into non- motorized areas was constant, with 25 violations noted by Snowlands volunteers alone. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Carson CA: Bear Valley Winter Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, have also Recreation Plan to Begin documented snowmobile violations into the these Stanislaus National Forest has once again said that special areas set aside to be enjoyed in their natu- they desire to complete a winter recreation plan ral state. for the Highway 4 corridor. Snowlands Network In 2005-2006, for the third and last winter views this as both an opportunity and a challenge. in a row, the Carson Ranger District of the Hum- The demand for both motorized and non-motor- boldt-Toiyabe National Forest will receive $40,000 ized winter recreation in the area exceeds the from Nevada State Parks to patrol and enforce the lands available. non-motorized boundaries of areas in and around The Forest Service has a very difﬁcult task. Tahoe Meadows. Last year the District had prom- With Snowlands Network’s backing, the Off-High- ised to increase patrols at Tahoe Meadows by 20% way Motor Vehicle Recreation Division allocated — instead they decreased patrols by 40%. $8000 to fund a facilitator for this process. A facili- Sadly, with over 130 documented snowmo- tator was instrumental in reaching an agreement bile violations into restricted areas over the last 3 on Sawtooth NF for the Wood River Valley where winters, the Carson Ranger District has not been a similar situation existed. Snowlands will work to effective. If, as in previous winters, the snowmo- encourage additional funding for facilitation.

You’ll sail along the ridge, with spectacular views east and west, on this easy 6-mile ski tour.

DESCRIPTION

Difﬁculty: Advanced beginner and beginning intermediate Length: 6 miles round trip Starting 7900 feet Elevation: Cumulative +900, -900 feet round trip Elevation Change: Navigation: Map Time: Most of a day Season: Early December through mid- April Snowmobiles: Low use USGS Topo: 7.5’ series, Tragedy Spring Start: Highway 88, 2.9 miles southwest of the Silver Lake dam, where the highway makes a right angle turn.

This north-south ridgeline tour above North Tragedy Creek drainage. There is also Shealor Lakes to the west and the Silver Fork the opportunity for a one-way tour along the of the American River to the east is a little ridge with a return to the highway at the dam known gem along Highway 88 at Tragedy at Silver Lake. The really hearty can end the Spring. A short ski from the highway puts you day by climbing from Silver Lake to Tragedy on the ridge; beyond it is easy to follow the Spring. ridge as you absorb the outrageous views The tour begins on the north side of surrounding you including the red cliffs of Highway 88 at Tragedy Spring. You will find Thunder Mountain that form a stark contrast parking on both sides of the highway. Ski with the snow and border of Kirkwood Ski slightly east of north for approximately 0.4 Resort. Equally impressive is the view down mile until you find yourself at the south end of to frozen North Tragedy Creek and Shealor a ridge that runs north. In this first stretch you Lakes. will climb slightly, descend slightly and finally Although the tour described here ends at climb slightly to the ridge. The route finding Peak 7620, more advanced skiers can create for the remaining 2.7 miles is straightforward a loop by combining this tour with one in the – just follow the ridge north to Peak 7620.

Fall 2005 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org 9 NV: Snowlands works for REGIONAL: Snowlands’ ORV Registration Bill Western Advocacy Actions Snowlands represented skiers and snowshoers Snowlands recently sent a letter to Interior Secre- during the last Nevada legislative session dur- tary Gale Norton regarding ORV’s on BLM lands ing the discussion of a bill that was intended to urging that there be designated routes. This let- register ORVs, including snowmobiles in Nevada. ter was in support of a Western states-wide effort This bill, SB400, unfortunately fell short of really focused on Washington DC. The Southern Utah putting some substantial legislation forward that Wilderness Alliance led the campaign to protect would require all ORVs to be registered with a vis- recreation and natural resources. We wrote Secre- ible and unique registration plate. tary Norton: The efforts of Snowlands focused on the “Many of our (California and Nevada) importance of visible license plates on snowmo- hikers, campers, skiers, snowshoers, climbers biles and other ORVs to allow law enforcement and snow-play families use our BLM lands officials to properly patrol and ticket drivers that for their winter as well as summer activities. use their machines unlawfully. Currently Nevada Being active people, we also travel extensively, has no such requirement to register and tag ORVs. enjoying BLM lands across the Western United Snowlands will continue to work to achieve a States. ruling that, within the definition of SB400, snow- “We value our BLM backcountry and want mobiles are fully identifiable when used on public to ensure that it remains a peaceful place that is enjoyed and preserved for future generations. The BLM should be working towards this goal by establishing transportation plans with specific routes that recognize the range of Snowlands Receives recreational opportunities on public lands and REI Grant adequately protects our wild lands. “A coherent and specific system of Employees of the REI store routes for motorized users will benefit all in Saratoga, CA, nominated users and the environment. Snowlands Snowlands Network for a cov- Network cares about this because we and our eted REI Conservation and Rec- constituents have increasing interaction with reation Grant. In September we off road vehicles during the summer months, learned we were awarded $4000 and year-round unfortunate encounters for winter 2005-2006 projects. with snowmobiles and ORV’s in sensitive A major part of this Grant will help our environments. Our enjoyment of our lands volunteers mark trails along California Highway as well as our safety is greatly affected by the 88 and create the first ever trail map for the area. pollution, noise, and crowding we experience. These trails will be We and our families who travel light are within easy reach of dismayed by the destruction done by those who the Central Valley and travel heavily on motorized vehicles.” the San Francisco Bay Area for day and over- night backcountry ski and snowshoe adven- NV: Reno SledFest tures. We emphasized to REI that many peo- Cancelled ple need the security The Reno-Sparks Convention Center is abandon- provided by marked ing the annual SledFest after two years in which backcountry winter $280,000 in promotion failed to attract many trails just as they need snowmobilers. Snowlands Network had opposed marked hiking trails the four-day snowmobile festival and tradeshow REI’s Jerry McKeon pres- in the summer. REI because it only made worse the local conflicts be- ents check to Snowlands’ agreed! tween motorized and non-motorized winter recre- chairman Marcus Libkind. ation uses.

10 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org Fall 2005 NV: Incline Lakes Property Where Is Snowlands Can Expand Tahoe’s Great Active? Outdoors The federal government has an opportunity to purchase an incredible piece of private land in Nevada adjacent to popular Tahoe Meadows, on the north side of Mount Rose Highway. The “Incline Lake Property”, 777 acres, has been in a single family’s hands since 1939. This entire region is very convenient to Reno and has great views of Lake Tahoe below. The parcel is mostly in the For- est Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. If purchased, we fully expect that cross-country skiing in the Tahoe Meadow area would be ex- panded to include the Incline Lake property. Right now, nearly 2000 acres on the highway’s south side are dedicated for non-motorized winter use. Snowlands will be representing the interest of skiers, snowshoers, snowboarders and families who enjoy snow-play as the purchase and planning processes carry on. We will work to ensure the Incline Lake Property and the adjacent lands are set aside for non-motorized winter recreation.

CA: Hope Valley – A Uniﬁed Voice, A Creative Winter Recreation Plan Snowlands Network has developed, in conjunc- tion with Friends of Hope Valley, Sorensen’s Resort, and Husky Express Dog Sled Tours, an “Equal Opportunity Winter Recreation Plan” for the greater Hope Valley area. This includes Hope, Faith, and Charity valleys, Forestdale Creek, Mon- Snowlands’ Board and volunteers are itor Pass, and part of Highway 4. The team has actively building trails, monitoring uses, submitted the Plan to the Carson Ranger District, assisting planning, and ensuring that Humboldt-Toiyabe NF in response to the Forest muscle-powered winter recreation Service’s intention to begin comprehensive winter planning in the Hope Valley area. stays exceptional in All those involved believe that a uniﬁed California and Nevada voice representing the skiers, snowshoers, snow- players and others who seek solitude when visit- ing Hope Valley is the best way to effect a compromise that balances our needs with that of the snowmobile community.

Fall 2005 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org 11 CA: Volunteer Project: Free! Membership in Lassen Trail Building & Winter Wildlands Alliance Maintenance Winter Wildlands Alliance, Snowlands Network’s national afﬁliate, is offering our members a free October 15 & 29 one-year membership. Join Snowlands Network on one of two In addition to supporting groups like winter trail building and maintenance trips Snowlands Network on local, state and regional and receive a issues, WWA serves as our national watchdog and represents the 19 million backcountry skiers, FREE copy of Ski snowshoers and snowboarders on national issues, Tours in Lassen many of which directly affect our local access. Volcanic National To take advantage of this offer, ﬁll in the Park. form below and return it to Winter Wildlands Alli- Snowlands is ance. By doing so, you’ll be better informed about sponsoring two national issues that impact quiet winter recreation. October events And, by increasing the membership ranks of inspired and led WWA, you’ll add clout to our national voice and by member Larry efforts to promote and preserve winter wildlands Crisman. Larry is and a quality human-powered snow-sports experi- dedicated to building ence on public lands. and maintaining backcountry ski and snowshoe trails on Lassen National Forest. Yes, as a member of Snowlands Network I want to support our national efforts and Snowlands works to provide high-quality trails receive a FREE 1 Year Membership to for backcountry skiers and snowshoers. These Winter Wildlands Alliance trail days also show the Forest Service that our community values these places enough to Please add my email address to the WWA volunteer our time. action alert list Saturday, October 15 Lassen NF Work on two new trails in the McGowen cross- Name ______country ski area on Lassen NF near Mineral. We will try to reschedule if it rains or snows. Address ______

Saturday, October 29 Lassen NF City______State _____ Zip______Maintenance work on existing trails at Colby Meadows on Lassen NF. Rain or snow cancels. Phone ______Meeting Place Chico: Both days we will meet at the Chico Park Email ______and Ride at Highways 99 and 32 at 8:00 AM from which we will carpool. Plan to share gas expenses. Mail to: Bay Area: Anyone interested in carpooling on Friday night, Oct 14, from the greater San Winter Wildlands Alliance Francisco Bay Area should contact Marcus Libkind 910 Main Street, Suite 235 ([email protected] or 925-455-5816). Boise, ID 83702 Equipment Bring boots, work gloves, lunch, water and appropriate clothing. We will supply tools. More Information Contact Larry Crisman at 530-342-7998.

12 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org Fall 2005 islation, participated in a planning meeting for a Our Volunteers, Kudos! Hope Valley winter recreation plan, and reviewed The Board of Directors of Snowlands Network is and wrote analyses of various agency documents, pleased to recognize our extraordinary volun- meetings and proposals. teers. We are able to make great progress towards our winter recreation goals because of their time, What is a Great Way For expertise, strength and inspiration. Thank you! Patagonia’s internship program allowed You to Spend Money and employee Chad Brown to be a full-time volunteer. During winter 2004, Chad monitored snowmobile Support Snowlands… use in the Lake Tahoe area, and gave us much …without a single extra dollar coming out of your needed data. pocket? Check out these three ways – all are sim- This past winter, because of the initiative of ple and environmentally friendly. Cliff Leihe and Bob Wieting, Snowlands Network hosted presentations at a Snownet meeting and a Ski Mountaineers of the Angeles Chapter of the Year-round 7x24 shopping at Sierra Club meeting. www.snowlands.org Mike Dooley, who has been instrumental in nurturing Snowlands’ relationship with REI, joined Marcus Libkind and representatives of the snowmobile community, Forest Service and Off- Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division in a 60-mile snowmobile tour of the Iron Mountain area. This event was part of the on-going negotiations regarding winter recreation in the area. Doug Frazier has become our leader on win- Every time you shop at Amazon.com and ter recreation issues in the Bear Valley area. He has Backcountry.com be sure to enter their website by attended numerous meetings, written countless clicking on their logos on the Snowlands website letters and made unending phone calls to agency (www.snowlands.org). officials. They will send Snowlands a cash payment Aaron and Kimi Johnson, owners of Moun- based on any purchase you make. Tell your tain Adventure Seminars and Base Camp Lodge in friends too! Bear Valley, have continue to actively work toward protecting and enhancing human-powered winter recreation in the Bear Valley area of Stanislaus Na- Company matching donations tional Forest. Snowlands is also indebted to them Many companies offer matching contribution for promoting Snowlands Network in their 2004- plans to their employees. Take advantage of 2005 brochures. this when you make your annual membership Jeff Erdoes continues to be at the top of donation to Snowlands. Contact your company our list of hard working volunteers. This past benefits office for details. Snowlands members year he has spent countless “days” monitoring working for Sun Microsystems and Adobe backcountry areas Systems have taken advantage of this type of where snowmobile giving. trespass persists. He also met with the Forest Service on Donations in lieu of gifts several occasions, Join our members who donated to Snowlands in attended a Mono the name of another person in lieu of a birthday Country Board of or holiday gift. This is a very special way to tell Supervisors meeting, a person you care about them and a great answer worked with envi- to the age-old question, “What do you want for ronmentalists to help your birthday?” You make the donation and shape Nevada Off- Snowlands will provide you with a gift card to Snowlands volunteer Jeff Erdoes Road Vehicle leg- send your friend. Fall 2005 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org 13 He Is Hooked — And Snowlands Network Honored — On The Business Sponsors Outdoors! These supporters are essential to our success. Snowlands Network asks that you support our business sponsors. Bicycle Bananas Patagonia Outlet Reno, NV Reno, NV www.bicyclebananas.com www.patagonia.com

Bicycle Warehouse REI Reno, NV www.rei.com

Bittersweet Publishing Rock Creek Lodge Company Mammoth Lakes, CA Livermore, CA www.rockcreeklodge.com

Erik Holland, Artist Sorensen’s Resort Represented by River Hope Valley, CA Gallery and Addi Gallery www.sorensensresort.com Reno, NV Snowlands Network is proud to announce that our The Sporting Rage founder and chairman Marcus Libkind was voted KPS|3 Advertising Carson City, NV Reno, NV www.sportingrage.com second place in Hooked on the Outdoors’ quest for www.kps3.com their Second Annual Outdoor Person of the Year. Wells Fargo Home In February 2005 the magazine announced Lost Trail Lodge Mortgage the Top 10 national leaders. They all shared the Truckee, CA San Jose, CA common characteristic of giving back while re- www.losttraillodge.com maining selfless – one of the criteria in the judging Western Mountaineering Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe www.western – along with being an inspiration to outdoor en- www.mtrose.com mountaineering.com thusiasts. The many nominees were initially narrowed Mountain Adventure Wilderness Exchange by Hooked to a list of 25. Then Hooked contributors Seminars Berkeley, CA and friends voted on the slate. Marcus came in Bear Valley, CA www.wildernessexchange. second, being aced out by none other than Gary www.mtadventure.com citysearch.com Erickson, owner of Cliff Bar Inc. Hooked had it right when they wrote: “If you happen to be skiing in the California backcountry Our Affiliate Members of the Sierra Nevada and you experience the soli- Snowlands Network is very proud to have the tude of wildlands, take a moment to whisper a following organizations as our affiliates. Through word of thanks to Marcus Libkind.” this communication and collaboration we are You can read the entire Hooked on the Out- better informed and more effective. doors story on the internet at: Backcountry Snow-sports Alliance, CO Bluewater Network www.ruhooked.com/artman/article_903.shtml Carson Valley Trails Association Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation It is an excellent history of Marcus’ 20 years of ac- Friends of Hope Valley tivism in representing your interests. Friends of Kirkwood High Sierra Hikers Association Natural Trails and Waters Coalition Planning and Conservation League Sierra Nevada Alliance Wildlands CPR Winter Wildlands Alliance

14 ©2005 Snowlands Network • www.snowlands.org Fall 2005 HIGH SIERRA: HIGH ON SKIS A beneﬁt to support quiet, pristine and fun winter recreation and protection of winter wildlands November 10, Thursday Berkeley # November 11, Friday Palo Alto # November 18, Friday Reno # TOTAL x $20 Each $ Tickets will be held at the door ____ I cannot attend. Here is my donation of $______to support your work as my voice in California and Nevada.

BECOME A FRIEND OF SNOWLANDS! ______Yes, I want to receive Alerts, News and Events information by email. I want to support Snowlands Network with my membership: ______Supporter $25 ______Contributor $50 ______Patron $100 ______Benefactor $250 MISSION ______Lifetime $750 Other $______The mission of Snowlands Network is to promote opportunities for quality human- ______I would like to make a donation of $______powered winter recreation and to protect to help support Snowlands’ work as my voice in winter wildlands. We will educate the California and Nevada. public and government agencies about winter recreation and environmental ______Please send the Snowlands Bulletin by email. issues. Snowlands Network PO Box 2570 PAYMENT INFORMATION Nevada City CA 95959 530-265-6424 [email protected] Card no. ______BOARD OF DIRECTORS Expiration Date______Marcus Libkind, Chairman Ellen Lapham, President Signature ______Jim Gibson, Secretary Charley White, Treasurer Name______Gail Ferrell Bill Flower Email ______Janet Hoffmann Address______REGIONAL COORDINATOR Gail Ferrell, Lake Tahoe City______State______Zip______Snowlands Bulletin is published quarterly by volunteer-led Snowlands Network, a Mail to: Snowlands Network 501(c)(3) non-proﬁt California corporation. PO Box 2570, PHOTO CREDITS Nevada City CA 95959 Andy Selters Jeff Erdoes Marcus Libkind Jim Gibson Snowlands is a nonproﬁt 501(c)(3) organization. Ellen Lapham Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Details on page 7

Snowlands Network NONPROFIT ORG PO Box 230 U.S. POSTAGE Livermore CA 94551 PAID LIVERMORE, CA PERMIT NO. 89 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Looking for a new place to explore? Head to Shealor & Silver Fork Ridge on Highway 88

Tour description on page 9