
William J. “Bill” Finch is a Lecturer of Leisure Studies Emeritus faculty who retired from the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Sacramento State University (CSUS) in 2004. He taught classes in Outdoor Recreation Education, Adventure Recreation Programming, Commercial Recreation, and Lifestyle Development.
After retirement, he continued to teach at the CSUS College of Continuing Education for two years. There his curriculum focused on enabling older adults to enjoy hiking the Sierra Nevada with an emphasis on Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe.
For the past sixteen summer seasons since retirement, he has been a Desolation Wilderness Volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service. As a volunteer, he is an ambassador for the Forest Service providing information to hikers along the trails in the wilderness backcountry and assistance as may be needed. He has participated in Wilderness Outreach presentations sponsored by the Forest Service and conducted research for wilderness related projects.
He also presented community service Power Point lectures on the wonders of Desolation Wilderness through the years. Prior to his career in teaching, Bill served in two branches of the armed forces. He was an Army paratrooper in the 82 nd Airborne Division for three years before attending college. After which, he served as a Naval Flight Officer in ASW Patrol Aviation with assignments in the Western Pacific from Viet Nam to the Arctic Circle.
Today his emphasis continues to be on enjoyably experiencing the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and helping others do the same through volunteering and writing.
Features Articles & Posts by Bill
Desolation Wilderness Lake Name Origins:
Reveal Meaning and Give Dimension to Each Desolation Lake. Lakes are almost everywhere in our lives. When I think of...
Read moreUnusual Wilderness Discoveries
A Cancerous Growth on a Pine Tree? There are stranger things in the wilderness than what the mind can imagine...
Read moreHave a Day of Mountain Clouds over Desolation Wilderness
Everybody I know who loves to hike in Desolation Wilderness comes to have an up-close personal relationship experience with the...
Read moreDiscover the Treasures of the Twin Lake Trail in Desolation Wilderness
A Favorite Westside Entry Point into Desolation Wilderness Desolation Wilderness - Trail reports - July 2022 - This one trailhead...
Read moreTales from the Trails: A Weekend to Remember
A Yosemite National Park Backpacking Trip Memory by Bill Finch Sometimes the Sierra Nevada plays tricks on you and sometimes...
Read moreA Perfect Untouched Gem in Desolation Wilderness
My Favorite Sierra Wilderness Lake -- By Bill Finch When I began hiking in the Sierras, primarily in Desolation Wilderness,...
Read moreMy Hidden Garden: A True Place, A True Wilderness Experience
Hidden Treasures of Twin Lakes Trail in Desolation Wilderness I have a story to warm the hearts of the most...
Read moreThe Gifts of a Desolation Wilderness Experience
One of the most popular adventures people look forward to when visiting the Lake Tahoe region is having a mountain...
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