Lost trails, ghost trails, historic trails—whatever you call them, these relics of the golden age of trail building are an intriguing treasu
“First, Lose No Trail.”
The deeper I dive into trails, the clearer it becomes: as crucial as new trail construction is, my top priority is saving the old ones. Here’s the truth: permitting, studying, and building a brand-new trail can be up to 1,000 times more costly and time-consuming than simply finding an overgrown path and saving it from fading into obscurity.
In medicine, there’s a saying: “First, do no harm.” Maybe we need something similar in trail building—“First, lose no trail.” With that spirit, I’ve been working with Gabriel Amadeus, Executive Director of the Orogenesis Collective Trail, on a series that dives into the why and how of saving trails that are slipping away.
Our first chapter is live: Finding Lost Trails: The Basics.
Share it with anyone who loves old trails—or anyone ready to see their “trail-building power” multiplied a thousand times over by saving paths we’re already lucky to have. New chapters are coming, and I’d love your input on drafts! If you’re interested, DM me, and let’s connect on this mission. My main focus is finding a route for the Sierra Camino from Susanville to Lone Pine, but I'm happy to brainstorm how to inventory and save trails anywhere!
