A Community-Driven Vision To Strengthen The Communities Of The Lost Sierra Region
Connected Communities, led by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, is a community driven vision to link 15 mountain towns across the Lost Sierra region of Northern California and Western Nevada with a world class trail network that strengthens local economies, improves outdoor access and cares for the land. Developed with tribes, residents, public agencies and local partners, the vision balances recreation with conservation and integrates Fire Hardened Trails to support wildfire resilience.
How to Connect Communities
Bikepacking
Backpacking
Motopacking
Horsepacking
Activating Connected Communities: Bikepacking
One way to use the Connected Communities routes is through bikepacking. Sierra Crest views and solitude, with a resupply and refueling of the belly at the connecting towns. Here are a couple of spectacular routes:
The Lost Sierra Loop
Sagebrush to Snowbanks
Rail Yards to Ghost Towns Loop
Big rides in the beautiful Lost Sierra.
Big rewards at the Connected Communities towns.
Community Input
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship conducted a multiyear public input tour and campaign in the Connected Communities footprint. Public comments in Appendix 9.
Since then, there have been 161 community meetings with 2,465 attendees, and online outreach reached about 742,515 people. The project has 73 letters of support from elected leaders and local governments.
Land Manager Input
Spanning four National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, and six counties in two states, the plan sets shared standards for sustainable design, NEPA and CEQA compliance, and Optimum Location Reviews. At its heart is the Lost Sierra Route, a signature journey that connects landscapes, culture and communities while creating lasting economic, environmental and social benefits.
Connected Communities Project Maps, Appendix 1
The Recipe Book
Through the planning process, SBTS has also developed a set of Best Management Practices- essentially a “Recipe Book” that can be shared with communities and land managers across the globe to streamline project planning. These practices are rooted in the lessons, case studies and strategies detailed throughout the Connected Communities vision, and include:
Graphic of Fire Hardened Trails Best Practice. In Appendix 7.
- Public Outreach
Surveys, community meetings and digital platforms engaged thousands of people, ensuring the plan reflects the values and priorities of both residents and visitors. - Tribal Engagement
Partnerships with Indigenous tribes provided cultural resource surveys, traditional ecological knowledge and guidance on stewardship of ancestral lands. - Public-Private Partnerships
Leveraging investments from agencies, nonprofits and the outdoor industry created new funding pathways and expanded project capacity. - Optimum Location Reviews
Desktop review, GIS analysis and field assessments identified trail alignments that balance user experience with environmental sensitivity and long-term sustainability.
Detailed Reports
- Environmental Planning
Full compliance with NEPA and CEQA processes set the stage for durable, legally defensible projects that protect natural and cultural resources. - Conservation and Restoration Practices
Trail design incorporates habitat restoration, stream protection and erosion control to enhance ecosystem health alongside recreation. - Fire Hardened Trails
Trails are built within shaded fuel breaks to reduce fire intensity, protect communities and improve access for firefighting and forest management. - Maintenance and Construction Standards
Professional and volunteer crews apply proven methods in drainage, rock work and tread stabilization to ensure trails remain safe, resilient and enjoyable for generations.
Appendix 1: Connected Communities Maps
Master Map
Alternative A
Alternative B
The Inspiration and Vision of Connected Communities
“Connected Communities stems from a desire to use trails as a tool to ensure economic stability in the Lost Sierra, a region whose communities have historically been subject to the boom and bust nature of resource extraction industries, causing locals to leave to seek employment in other areas. But the ultimate goal is for the Trails Master Plan to transcend this region, and become a model for communities around the country, and even globally, to develop their own economic empowerment and sustainable development.”
— Greg Williams
This is Our Moment
Let’s shape the future of our region by building trails that connect communities and keep our rural towns thriving.
Every dollar helps plan, build and maintain the trails that will define the next generation of adventure in Northern California and Western Nevada.
Donate. Volunteer. Join Us.