About Towns to Trails
A vision for a connected High Sierra.
Towns to Trails grew from a simple idea: what if the existing soft-surface roads, trails, public lands, and communities across the Sierra’s Eastern and Central regions could be understood as part of a larger connected landscape?
Using existing soft surface and trail data, Towns to Trails conducted analyses in both the Eastern and Central Sierra regions to identify their respective “optimal paths” and then generated Eastside and Westside alignments based on a number of variables in their respective landscapes.
Towns to Trails looks at what already exists – extraction economies have left legacies on the public landscape – and what could be possible through thoughtful planning and the values of conservation, collaboration, and stewardship.
The work considers the High Sierra landscape as a whole, including its existing soft-surface roads and trails, public lands, communities, environmental needs, land managers, and the people and organizations that care for them all.
Planning
Towns to Trails has been made possible by three planning efforts generously funded by the state of California.
2019 – 2022
SRTI Towns to Trails Plan
FUNDED BY: Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Funding for this project was provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, under the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) and in support of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.
2022 – 2024
Eastern Sierra Towns to Trails Plan
FUNDED BY: Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Funding for this project was provided by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, under the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) and in support of the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.
2025 – 2026
Western Sierra Towns to Trails Plan
FUNDED BY: Sierra Jobs First
This project was funded by Sierra Jobs First and created to support the initiative’s mission of creating a community-led, climate-neutral, inclusive future for our industry in the Sierra region. Through our partnership with Sierra Business Council, regional conveners and fiscal administrators for California Jobs First in the Sierra region, we provided industry-specific assistance that supported job growth, inclusive workforce development, and economic resilience, while protecting our region’s natural lands and vibrant communities.
What Comes Next
A connected network takes more than lines on a map.
Future work includes addressing alignment gaps, enhancing engagement with communities, agencies, and tribes, optimizing and blazing segments, addressing maintenance needs, and integrating wildfire resilience efforts into alignments across both regions.
Towns to Trails is an evolving vision — shaped by the people who live here, the public landscapes, and the organizations that steward them.
Thank You
Towns to Trails has been made possible through the generous contributions of communities, land managers, agencies, tribes, organizations, and individuals who have shaped the project and its vision for the future.
Stay Connected
Shape the Future of Towns to Trails
We’re working to better understand interest in exploring connections across High Sierra regions. Share your information to help us measure interest and inform future experiences, including conservation, planning, and funding efforts.
Your information will inform future grant and advocacy efforts and help us understand interest in Towns to Trails. We won’t use your information for unrelated purposes without your permission.
