With the help of AERC, the Gold Country Trails Council trailhead has been successfully completed. The trailhead was constructed in order provide a safe horse staging area on the Pioneer Trail located in the Tahoe National Forest in Northern California. This trail is used by many endurance riders both for training rides and AERC-sanctioned rides.

The project included cooperation with the Forest Service, volunteer labor and equipment of members of the GCTC, and joint funding from private donations, local endurance riding clubs and an AERC trails grant. The project would likely not have been completed without financial assistance from the trails grant provided by the American Endurance Ride Conference.

After obtaining appropriate permits and environmental approvals from the Forest Service, the project involved cutting and clearing many large trees, brush chipping, leveling the area with heavy equipment and laying down gravel. A plaque will commemorate the generous donation by AERC.

The trailhead staging area is located central to many equestrian riding trails in the beautiful Tahoe National Forest and is an ideal location for staging endurance rides and also for day use training and conditioning for endurance riders. There is a picnic bench, a portable restroom, and room for approximately 30 rigs.

The trailhead will directly benefit the AERC membership through the rides that are held there each year and through the many members who will ride out of the trailhead on a daily basis with room for safe horse trailer parking. Projects such as this that are supported by AERC promote the organization as a leader and sustaining partner in the development, preservation and maintenance of trails.