Kingsbury Stinger Trail Reconstruction Project to Offer New Experience

New Kingsbury Stinger Trail to offer improved user experience

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – High above the Lake Tahoe Basin rim, a six-member U.S. Forest Service trail crew has been busy reconstructing the Kingsbury Stinger Trail, located on lower Kingsbury Grade.  The upgraded trail will remain open to Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) 50-inches wide (or less) including all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles and non-motorized recreation use such as mountain bikes, hikers and equestrians.  When completed, the new trail will offer a thrill-seeking OHV experience, while reducing erosion and impacts to forest resources.  “The Kingsbury Stinger Trail reconstruction project will improve the sustainability of the trail, reduce the potential for erosion and runoff during storm events, and will dramatically improve the trail,” said Forest Service Trail Project Manager, Jacob Quinn.
The existing route is located in a sensitive drainage area that has many steep, eroded trails, which affects water quality and degrades the natural habitat.  Nearly three miles long, the trail descends 1,300 feet and is very difficult for OHV and mountain bike users due to the exceptionally steep grades and deeply rutted surface.  The realigned trail runs approximately 4.5 miles with the same 1,300-foot elevation change, will twist through stands of large trees and boulders and provide stunning views of Lake Tahoe.  “The old trail was a powdery mess, with lots of ruts,” said Forest Service Trail Crew Leader, Nick Bauer.  “The new trail has amazing lake views and is going to be a much better trail.”
The upgraded trail is expected to be completed by the summer of 2016.
The proposed action and a map of the project area are available on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/KingsburyStinger.