Frequently Asked Questions

• A backcountry trail is characterized by its relatively remote, undeveloped nature, far from road access, civilization, and not guaranteed cell service.

• Backcountry trails are constructed using only natural features, such as rock or soil to guide users.They are constructed in a way to minimize the amount of landscape modification in order to retain the natural setting characteristics.

• No visitor services and management controls: Staff are not present to provide assistance and emergency services are sparse. There will be signage clearly informing visitors of authorized uses, restrictions, and reasonable standards of etiquette. 

• There are no, or very limited, amenities like toilets, running water, or trash cans present. Pack it in, pack it out, and follow the Leave No Trace principles. 

• Section 3 was completed by Truckee Trails Foundation during the 2025 season. Sections 1 & 2 are set to start in Spring of the 2026 season. There are 8 sections slated for trail construction in total.

• The goal of the Pines to Mines Alliance is to complete all eight sections of the “Summit Link” by the end of 2028. The timing of completion is of course dependent on weather and snowpack conditions along the trail route, as well as funding available to continue the work.

• Yes. Even though the “Summit Link” section is not complete, you can access other segments of the Pines to Mines Trail from either Donner Lake Rim Trail in Truckee (east) or Pioneer Trail in Nevada City (west). 

• The Pines to Mines Alliance is dedicated to completing a rugged, backcountry trail designed for non-motorized (with the exception of Class 1 e-bikes), multiuse, bi-directional travel. Nearly all of the trails in the Pines to Mines System will be added to the Tahoe National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps as a new authorized use designation:  “Trails Open to Class 1 E-Bikes Only.”  The exception will be the trail portion that is within Grouse Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized Management Area, which will remain non-motorized.

•  The route will offer an immersive experience for hikers, runners, mountain and e-mountain bikers, and equestrians. It is important to prepare for the likely conditions of a backcountry trail before pursuing your form of recreation on the Pines to Mines Trail. Please refer to “What defines a “backcountry” trail?” above and plan ahead.

• The Pines to Mines (P2M) Trail "Summit Link" project budget will cost an estimated $2.2M. The P2M Alliance Partners have raised over $550K in private funding and are pursuing approximately $1M in public grant funding. Your generous support will help raise the remaining $715K needed to build the 22-mile "Summit Link" and complete the 85 miles of Sierra adventures that Pines to Mines will bring!

• You can make a gift through the project website here: https://pinestomines.com/donate

• Or mail a check written out to: “Truckee Trails Foundation”. Please specify in the notes section that this donation is for the Pines to Mines Trail: 

• Truckee Trails Foundation
• PO Box 1751
• Truckee, CA 96160

• You can also make a tax-wise gift through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or via a stock transfer. 

• All gifts will be processed through a P2M fund managed by the Truckee Trails Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization with Tax ID 01-0601303.

Environmental & Recreational Benefits

• Supports human-powered recreation
• Supports equine-powered recreation
• Encourages exploration of public lands while protecting sensitive areas
• Provides a sustainable alternative to unofficial user-created routes
• Opens long-distance options for multi-day hiking, biking, and equestrian travel

Economic Benefits

• Draws visitors to Truckee, Nevada City, and surrounding communities
• Increases tourism and outdoor-related business revenue
• Enhances quality-of-life assets that attract residents and professionals

Community Benefits

• Connects multiple recreation communities
• Offers educational, volunteer, and stewardship opportunities
• Strengthens local pride around a shared outdoor legacy

• We will have multiple volunteer trail building days on the “Summit Link” segment of Pines to Mines. If you’d like to help with trail work, follow us on Instagram or Facebook for date announcements and more information - @pinestomines 

• Sign up on our website, once the dates are available, or email karly@truckeetrails.org to be added to the list. 

CASTLE VALLEY TO EAST END OF SECTION 1

• This utilizes a little less than a mile of the motorized multi-use Castle Valley Rd. to reach the multi-use Hole In The Ground Tr. The entire route is 6 miles with 994' elevation gain. Plenty of parking and new trailhead development planned.

SHERITT LANE TO EAST END OF SECTION 1

• This utilizes Lower Lola Montez Tr. and Rd. (alternately singletrack and gravel road) to Hole In The Ground Tr. 5 miles with 1143' elevation gain. The gravel road is private and lightly traveled. Some parking on Sheritt. Hopefully access via HITG will in future not involve the road sections if the planned reroutes ever get approved and built.

DRIVE TO EAST END SECTION 1

• From Cisco Grove up Rattlesnake Rd. Requires high clearance 4 or AWD. 11 miles with 2366' elevation gain. Road is closed for the foreseeable for PGE construction project. Minimal and primitive parking close to trail with a few more spots within roughly half a mile. 

DRIVE TO SECTION 1/2 JUNCTION

• From Cisco Grove up Rattlesnake Rd. as above. 9 miles with 2143' elevation gain. Some primitive parking.

DRIVE TO SECTION 2/3 JUNCTION

• From Cisco Grove up Rattlesnake Rd. as above. 7 miles with 1894' elevation gain. Primitive parking for an estimated 10-12 vehicles.

DRIVE TO SECTION 3/4 JUNCTION

• From Cisco Grove up Rattlesnake Rd. as above with addition of short spur road towards Lake Sterling. Minimal primitive parking. Parking in this area would be the best way to access SECTION 5 from the east as well (utilizing Section 4) as the road deteriorates in its direction. There are primitive spots for parking along the road to Signal Peak. Map access would be strongly recommended.

OHV ROAD TO SECTION 5/6 JUNCTION

• From Fordyce Trailhead parking (somewhat developed for numerous vehicles, frightening vault toilet facility) 2.1 miles with 1511' elevation gain on FS 13E58, a steep and badly eroded OHV road.

OHV ROAD TO SECTION 6/7 JUNCTION

• From Fordyce Trailhead parking (somewhat developed for numerous vehicles, frightening vault toilet facility) 1.4 miles with 1154' elevation gain on FS 13E58, a steep and badly eroded OHV road.

OHV ROAD TO SECTION 7/8 JUNCTION

• From Fordyce Trailhead parking out FS 13E10, a badly eroded OHV road (though unlike 13E58, passable by rock crawling 4WDs) 2 miles up and down by less than 150' each way.

TRAIL TO WEST END OF SECTION 8

• From the Spaulding Lake Tr. Trailhead on Bowman Lake Rd. 6 miles with 752' elevation gain on Spaulding Lake and Grouse Ridge Trails. The trailhead is not developed but there is room for numerous vehicles to park along the road.

• Gold Country Equestrian Trailhead just east of Nevada City
• Overlook Equestrian Staging Area
• Skillman Horse Campground
• Zeibright Road at Bear Valley on Highway 20
• Spaudling Lake TH on Bowman Lake Road
• Eagle Lakes Trailhead  off of Highway 80
• Rattlesnake Road/Woodchuck Flat
• Lower Lola Montez TH limited parking but good shuttle location
• Donner Pass PCT Trailhead at Boreal Exit and future access at proposed Castle Valley parking area on the north side of I-80
• Johnson Canyon TH at Exit 180 on I-80
• Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center

Going westward in the Truckee area the best starting places are Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center, Johnson Canyon, Donner Summit.  For horses the best starting place going east is at Skillman Horse Campground. 

• Section 1 - Lower Lola Montez Trailhead on Sherrit Lane, approximately 9 miles and 1200 feet lower, is the best starting spot for accessing the eastern portion of the new Summit Link at the Soda Springs exit. Sherrit Lane has limited parking.  From there, it is a gradual climb of approximately 1,200 feet over nine miles to reach Section 1.  Natural watering sources for stock are available along this section. (Equestrian trailer parking may be available on the south side of Interstate 80 by the gas station.)  

• Section 2 - Just south of dirt Rattlesnake Road FS-85-8, travels across a north-facing slope which may provide opportunities for watering stock. Equestrian trailer access to this section is unlikely.

• Section 3 - Is fairly level, and possibly will offer equestrian trailer access on FS 85-2 close to the western entrance of this section.  Natural water sources for stock along this section are unknown.

• Section 4 - Will possibly offer equestrian trailer access on FS 85-2 close to the eastern entrance of this section.  This section crosses rugged south-facing slopes and the dirt Forest Service Road 13 that leads to Signal Peak.  The trail has six turns on the western end. Natural watering sources for stock are unknown on the eastern end of this section.

• Section 5  – Natural water sources for stock on the west end.

• Section 6 – Natural water sources available. Potential for dispersed camping with stock.

• Section 7 – Natural water sources available. Potential for dispersed camping with stock along this section. Trailer rig parking at the Eagle Lakes OHV Trailhead and potentially at the Indian Springs Campground. Overnight pack-in dispersed camping available nearby.

• Section 8 – Rocky Section 8 connects with the southern end of the existing Grouse Ridge Trail 13E28 in the Grouse Lakes area and the bridge that crosses Fordyce Creek. Plenty of stock water available. Trailer rig parking at the Eagle Lakes OHV Trailhead and potentially camping with your rig at the Indian Springs Campground. Overnight pack-in dispersed camping available nearby in Pierce Creek Meadows.

In general, horses and mules traveling the new Summit Link sections should be well-conditioned to covering long trail miles with significant changes in elevation, some across steep cross slopes with southern or western exposure. For the most part, the trail grade itself will typically be around 5 percent or less, with short stretches of steeper trail. Streams and small lakes provide stock water along or near many of the 8 sections to be built. It is important to plan your route carefully to include periodic access to stock water, even for day trips, and resting/camping areas for overnight/multi-day trips. There are opportunities for equestrians to shuttle portions of PinesToMines Summit Link with proper planning.

• Skillman Campground
• Indian Springs Campground
• Woodchuck Flat
• Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center boarding available then get a free ride from TART into Truckee for dinner and lodging.
• Dispersed camping along the trail at your pleasure.  Water availability for stock to be updated later.