WOW! What a great way to celebrate a years worth of time and effort at Evans Canyon.  Because of a grant written by PATTI BAKKER of the TRUCKEE MEADOWS TRAILS ASSOCIATION and PUBLIC RESOURCE ASSOCIATES, approximately one and half miles of new trail was constructed and another half mile of old trail was rerouted out of the bottom of Evans Creek during the past year.

There to celebrate were Councilpersons David Aiazzi and Toni Harsh, Brad Eckert, our State Recreation Trails Manager, City and County dignitaries, Truckee Meadows Trails Association President DICK BENOIT, long time dam opponent, MARY WINSTON, LYNDA NELSON from Rancho San Rafael, local residents, trail work volunteers, local members of IMBA, Reno Wheelmen club members, Western Trail Builder Association conference participants, the two IMBA Trail Care Crews of Mark and Lora, their new recruits Nat & Rachel, Trail Specialists Joey Klein, Rich Edwards and their coordinator Scott.  Following a number of great speeches, all were treated by some hot apple cider and pack of trail mix! Perfect for a cold February evening in the Truckee Meadows.

Evans Canyon Background

A year ago, following the 2003 Western Trail Builders Conference, the TMTA contracted out to hire JOEY KLEIN, one of IMBA's trails specialist. He was to start planning the trail building efforts, canyon reclamation and scheduled to return in November 2003 with a Sweco trail building machine.  Also key to the project, was to complete a new reroute section around an expanding town home development at the top of the canyon.

Before his return, local volunteers worked summer evenings to hand build a section on the eastside of the canyon, from the small bridge crossing to the stand of cotton wood trees at approximately the mid canyon point. This would help lessen the planned work load and make sure there was enough time to complete all canyon plans.

Then in November 2003, Joey returned with a Sweco 450 and with DAVE DESSELL of ARROWHEAD TRAILS, a professional trail builder from Colorado.  They spent three weeks on the new trail, on the west side of the canyon, just above the Cottonwood trees, to Parr Blvd, then up to the USFS property above and a trail connection there.

Now trail users can use the new trail relocated out the canyons sensitive riparian zone, while enjoying the open and flowing rolling contour trail design to get them to USFS lands above.

Check out the local press reports at right.