A volunteer vacation with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance offers more than trail work—it’s a transformative journey through Northern California’s wilderness. Participants gain hands-on skills, forge lasting friendships, and discover a deep connection to nature. It’s an adventure that blends purpose, beauty, and community in some of the state’s most remote backcountry.
Breaking Barriers & Blazing Trails: Mary Kwart’s Journey
Explore the inspiring journey of Mary Kwart, a trailblazer in wildland firefighting and long-distance hiking.
2024 Volunteers of the Year
Hear how Sylas Kauffmann and Oliver Bullwinkle became the 2024 Volunteers of the Year for the Bigfoot Trail Alliance thanks to their outstanding trail work on the Bigfoot Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
2024 Annual Report
Discover the highlights of our 2024 Annual Report, including our Youth Stewardship Project, National Forest Trail Work, and Volunteers of the Year.
Teen Science Trip
Learn about the Teen Science Trip that engaged local youth with real world science in the backcountry of the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
The CCC Collaborative needs your support
The CCC needs to raise an additional $3,000 within three weeks to support a group of 12 corpsmembers who will work on restoring the Bigfoot Trail in the Siskiyou Wilderness. Donations will cover their travel, meals, stipends, and supplies. Contributions over $150 will receive a Bigfoot Trail hat.
2024 Regional Trails Summit
In January 2024, a successful Regional Trails Summit was held, marking a significant collaboration among agencies and partner groups in northwest California forests. The summit focused on trail system improvement, with plans for future work and collaboration. Key objectives included community building, trail maintenance, and funding discussions. Notably, the summit saw participation from 35 in-person and 5 virtual attendees, signaling a major milestone for the region’s trail development.
2023 Volunteers of the Year
Michael Kauffmann, founder of the Bigfoot Trail Alliance, acknowledges the significant contributions of Karen and Les, professional trail work volunteers, who since 2018, have dedicated 160 hours to maintaining the Bigfoot Trail. Karen and Les recount their experiences and provides advice for potential new volunteers, encouraging newcomers to take a plunge into volunteering with backcountry trails.