Lassen Land & Trails Trust, a member of the Lassen/Plumas Trails Coalition of public agencies and nonprofits that are leading the charge to expand a network of trails across northeastern California, has announced that 2022 was a very good year for trails.
“LLTT is happy to report 12 trail projects just got a big boost in funding to plan and then construct another 130 miles of interconnected trails by 2030,” reports LL&TT Trails Committee Chair Elizabeth Norton.
Two plans are guiding the Coalition’s efforts to build an interconnected trail system in our region: the 2020 Lassen/Lake Almanor Basin Regional Trails System Concept Plan, and the 2022 Lassen County Active Transportation Plan.
Grant awards for the twelve funded trail projects total over $7.3 million. Most of these projects will be implemented over the next two years. Several are for planning activities to complete designs and environmental studies. Once pre-construction studies are completed, the partners are cleared to apply for trail construction grants.
“We are grateful to all our grantors who share our vision and support our trails network,” said Norton, “It takes committed partners to make this much progress in just one year. We are fortunate to live in a diverse region at the crossroads of the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and Great Basin. With its biodiversity and scenic landscapes, this region offers an array of outdoor recreation pursuits to all who live and visit here. We already have great events on our trails each year, which draw thousands of visitors to our area. We believe continued investments in trails will always have a positive return in healthy communities, healthy economies, and healthy people.”
The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is also developing a trail system that will connect fifteen mountain towns in Sierra, Butte, Nevada, Lassen and Plumas Counties with their grant funded “Connected Communities” project.
SBTS’s motto “A Trail for Everyone” includes trail linkages to Susanville and Chester. In nearby Siskiyou County, the Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance was also awarded a grant to complete the planning for expanded outdoor recreation opportunities in south Siskiyou County.
“So, stay tuned, more trails are coming,” said Norton. “The Coalition always appreciates your feedback as we prepare the designs and environmental studies for these new trails.”
Lassen Land and Trails Trust, a non-profit membership-based organization, actively works to conserve significant natural areas and working landscapes, and to promote and enhance a system of public trails in northeastern California—where the Sierra Nevada, Cascade, Modoc Plateau and the Great Basin converge, a unique region rich in agricultural heritage, wildlife and scenic vistas. For more information about the Trust’s work or to support their trails program, please visit www.lassenlandandtrailstrust.org
2022 Funded Trail Projects:
| Project | Project Leader and Partners | Grantor | Award |
| Rehabilitation of the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot campus. | LLTT | Forest Service, Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee | $56,191 |
| Planning for renovation and expansion of the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot campus. | LLTT and BLM-Eagle Lake Field Office | Sierra Nevada Conservancy | $137,000 |
| Maintenance of three sections of the 86-mile Modoc Line Rail Trail (40 miles). | LLTT and BLM-Eagle Lake Field Office | CA Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Off-highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division | $73,993 |
| Modoc Line Rail Trail planning to open the last two sections of the 86-mile rail trail (46 miles). | LLTT | Sierra Nevada Conservancy | $202,400 |
| Planning for the 1.4-mile Chester Trail connector at Lake Almanor. | Forest Service and Almanor Recreation and Parks District | Forest Service, Plumas County Resource Advisory Committee | $66,000 |
| Planning for the 12-mile Almanor Rail Trail between Chester and Clear Creek. | Almanor Recreation and Park District and Collins Pine Company | Sierra Nevada Conservancy – pending award June 1, 2023 | $252,405 |
| 3.3-mile extension of the Lake Almanor Recreation Trail (part of the 2026 State Route 89 rehabilitation project). | Caltrans, District 2, Redding, CA and Forest Service | Caltrans, District 2, Redding, CA | $3,000,000 |
| Paved trail from Riverside Park to the Susan River Path. Includes a new pedestrian bridge. | City of Susanville | Caltrans, District 2, Redding, CA | $2,800,000 |
| Planning for the 4-mile Bizz Johnson extension from Mason Station into Westwood. | Lassen County Public Works Dept. and Forest Service | Forest Service, Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee | $70,000 |
| Planning for the 24-mile Fredonyer trail system with 2 connectors to the Bizz Johnson Trail. | Lassen County Public Works Dept. and Forest Service | Forest Service, Lassen County Resource Advisory Committee | Part 1 plan – $80,000 Part 2 construction – $100,000 |
| Olsen Barn Meadow Preserve for trails and barn restoration. | Feather River Land Trust | U.S. Economic Development Administration | $347,274 |
| Indian Ole Dam Trailhead enhancements at Mountain Meadows Reservoir. | Mountain Meadows Conservancy and Pacific Gas and Electric | Stewardship Council | $130,000 |
