August 22, 2023 – Staff and volunteers with Friends of Nevada Wilderness have wrapped up a multi-day project to improve White’s Creek Trail, making the highly-popular trail in the Mount Rose Wilderness much safer for hikers and equestrians.
Storms and heavy snowmelt had caused serious erosion, making use of three creek crossings difficult and dangerous. Using hand tools, crews removed boulders and tree roots and regraded approaches to the creek crossings. They built a new switchback and retaining wall, and also created new check steps and placed stepping stones to make the crossings much safer.
One crossing had become so precarious to use that, after consulting with rangers with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the crews realigned the trail, tying back to the main trail about 500 feet from the creek.
In between creek crossings, crews widened narrow and uneven trail, decommissioned old eroded trail, built a new route, and improved drainage dips. The work started July 28 and wrapped up on August 6.
“Frequent users of White’s Creek Trail should see significant improvements in the conditions,” noted Friends Executive Director Shaaron Netherton. “We’re very fortunate to have such a beautiful place so close to the urban area. Mount Rose Wilderness is a favorite get-away for many people and we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to make it a little safer for us all.”
The project was funded by the National Forest Foundation. Work was completed by one of Friends’ seasonal trail crews, stewardship staff and 27 volunteers who donated nearly 200 hours of time to give back to their public lands.
“We simply could not do this sort of valuable work without our loyal volunteers,” Netherton added. “On this project, they gathered dirt and rock crush to stabilize trails, and swung pick mattocks to create new tread. That’s hard work and we are grateful that so many people who appreciate our public lands are willing to volunteer their time to do it.”
Several more stewardship projects are planned in Northern Nevada for late summer and fall. More information and volunteer signups can be found at nevadawilderness.org.
