The Tuolumne River is one of Yosemite’s two main watersheds and a focal point for summertime visitors. Its area includes streams, meadows, granite domes, canyons and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Trails in this watershed offer access to spectacular hiking, and are the only way to access some of the park’s best fishing and backcountry camping spots.
This year, we will fund California Conservation Corps (a program for young adults in their late teens and early 20s) crews, to carry-out repairs on 60 miles of trails in the Tuolumne watershed. These youth crews will be in the backcountry from June or July until September. They’ll participate in a comprehensive program that includes learning about ecology, resource management and sustainability in addition to the trail work.
Without this work many trails would become unsafe for hikers. Through this process youth are able help preserve Yosemite and participate in a once-in-a-life-time opportunity in the park.