by Megan Wargo, Director of Land Protection, Pacific Crest Trail Association
In June, a significant step forward was achieved in the goal to permanently protect the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) with the $15 million acquisition of the 10,300-acre Trinity Divide project in Northern California.
This major land protection accomplishment is the result of an extraordinary five-year combined effort that included the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the Trust for Public Land, the Michigan-California Timber Company, the U.S. Forest Service, and the surrounding local communities. Thanks to this partnership, a total of 17 once private miles of the PCT are now in public ownership.
The Trinity Divide lies in the tallest range of Northern California’s vast Klamath Mountains. It was named after the mountains that divide the headwaters of the Trinity and Sacramento rivers. The acquisition will create new public access for hikers, horseback riders, campers, hunters, and anglers along this scenic stretch of the PCT, including new legal access to 10 alpine lakes and many streams.
The effort to permanently protect this stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail was completed using private donations, a grant from The Wyss Foundation, and significant funding from The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
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Unless otherwise indicated, all material in Pathways Across America is public domain. All views expressed herein are perspectives of individuals working on behalf of the National Trails System and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the Federal agencies.