SBTS Projects

Connected Communities DRAFT Trails Master Plan version 3.5.

The Connected Communities Project is a visionary effort led in partnership by federal land managers, SBTS, and community partners to connect 15 mountain towns for economic prosperity through outdoor recreation—an $887 billion industry. It will create a vision for a recreation-focused lifestyle through community investment, shared stewardship, economic opportunity, and important new local jobs, all benefiting economically disadvantaged communities in California’s Plumas, Sierra, Butte, Lassen, and Nevada Counties, as well as Washoe County, Nevada. Our work will include planning, environmental review, trail creation, and maintenance of trails. The project’s intent is to diversify recreation throughout the region and provide economic stability, as well as support fire recovery and prevention efforts. This project will create a learning landscape for outdoor and environmental education programs that include youth employment and volunteer participation. Our visionary goal is to establish a  multi-use signature route highlighting these communities, which we are calling the Lost Sierra Route.

Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is collaborating with land manager and supporting project partners on environmental review for several recreation projects across the region. Click on the project below to navigate the map to that area.

This project is being led by SBTS, funding has been provided by California OHV green sticker funds. The trail system was ground-truthed and flagged in 2022 resulting in a total of 63.5 proposed miles of trail. The trails are proposed as motorized multi-use single track. Environmental surveys and documentation will continue to take place in 2023, which will hopefully lead to a shovel-ready project in 2024.

The Sierra Valley Recreation Project is a key component of the Connected Communities Trails Master Plan and was funded by Sierra Nevada Conservancy's Vibrant Recreation & Tourism Grant Program. The Project will provide a replicable model for the planning, design, and NEPA/CEQA documentation for the Connected Communities Identified Routes. The project includes funding for approximately 63 miles of the proposed trail connecting Loyalton, Sierraville and the East Zone Connectivity Project. The project will start in 2023 with the goal of draft NEPA/CEQA documents being completed by December 2025. This will hopefully lead to a shovel-ready project in 2026.

Funding has been secured for the Peavine Maze Connectivity and Restoration Project by the Nevada Off-Highway Vehicles Program! The project provides the Reno linkage to the Connected Communities Project by developing 23 miles of new singletrack and the adoption of up to 25 miles of existing social trail. Project work is expected to start in 2024.

SBTS was awarded a Stewardship Council grant to conduct an environmental review and seek approval to construct and maintain a non-motorized trail system on the southeast shore of Bucks Lake in Plumas County, California. The proposed Bucks Lake Trail System (Project) is located on PG&E-owned parcels. The parcels total 682.68 acres and 1.5 of those acres are proposed to be developed into a single lane, standard/terra, non-motorized trail system resulting in approximately five miles of new trail for recreation in the Bucks Lake Recreation Area. Environmental surveys and CEQA drafting will continue to take place in 2023, which will hopefully lead to a shovel-ready project in 2024.

Colby Mountain Trail project is led by Butte County Resource Conservation District in collaboration with Chico Velo, Northern Californa Land Trust and SBTS. The project includes 40 miles of proposed non-motorized single-track trails designed for mountain bike use. The trails are also being scoped for Ebike use. The project also includes trailhead infrastructure development and upgrades. Anticipated completion of the NEPA/CEQA documents is 2023 this will hopefully lead to a shovel-ready project in 2024.

The Fredonyer Butte Trail Project will develop approximately 24.5 miles of multi-use, non-motorized loop trails & two trailheads, for hiking/walking, bicycling & equestrian use. Trailheads near Fredonyer Crest & Goumaz Campground would include parking, informational kiosks & restrooms.

The SBTS trail crews are always busy. Here is a list of our current construction efforts. Click on a project to navigate to it on the map.

Mount Hough Phase II construction is underway! Construction of the additional trail mileage began in 2021 and will continue into 2023. In 2022 our hardworking crew built 18.8 miles on Mount Hough! These trails are designated for motorized multi-use and is funded by California OHV green sticker funds, funds designated from the Federal Highway Administration for recreational trails, and the Negley Flinn Charitable Foundation. This project includes a Quincy to Taylorsville connection which is a critical component of the Connected Communities Project.

Beckwourth Peak Trail construction is underway! Construction of the Beckwourth Peak trail began in 2021, to date 9.3 miles of trail have been completed and the project is expected to be completed by 2024. The trail begins in Portola City Park and includes a loop around Beckwourth Peak and a connection to Carman Saddle. The trail is designated for non-motorized multiple-use and has various funding streams including Sierra Nevada Conservancy, City of Portola, Plumas County OGALs Grant, REI Grant, SBTS match and private donations.

Tahoe National Forest is the lead on the East Zone Connectivity Project which includes trails critical to the Connected Communities Project routes north of Truckee.  The trails are designated for motorized multi-use and funding has been secured through Califonia OHV for 20-miles of trail construction to kick off in 2023. SBTS expects to be contracted for a 10-mile segment of this trail construction. Additional funding will be sought for the remaining approved milage of the trail by both TNF and SBTS. 

The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship provides trail maintenance across Lassen, Plumas, and Tahoe National Forests using year round Professional Trail Crews, seasonal Youth Trail Crews, and an amazing volunteer base!