prep for the raffle at Fall Trails Day

FOTHL - Just a whole bunch of volunteers

Friends of The High Lakes is a 501(c)(3) grass-roots organization comprised of individuals, local businesses, recreational clubs, and user groups who love to recreate in The High Lakes Area in the Lassen National Forest. Friends is comprised of a growing number of outdoor recreationalists, who consider themselves to be environmentalists and conservationists rather than preservationists.
We believe that public lands should be FOR the people to use and enjoy. That includes the pursuit of whatever activities people choose, such as fishing, camping, hiking, exploring, picnicking, hunting, rock hounding, geocaching, etc. while using a motorized vehicle.
We need to get involved to assure that these lands remain open for our use.
This is the vehicle to bring together those who responsibly use the land and wish to improve recreational opportunities through support and volunteerism while caring for the environment.

What We Do

• coordinate with the land managers, the Almanor District of the Lassen National Forest
• coordinate the Spring Trail Day(s) where the clubs and individuals clear and prep their adopted trails for summer use
• coordinate the Fall Cleanup Day and Raffle where the clubs and individuals pick up summer's trash, clear fire rings, and kinda have a big fundraising party
• maintain the current large maps and (sometimes) educational brochures of the High Lakes area (next update coming after the current NEPA trails project is final)
• have an active, trained, and reliable club-modeled Adopt-A-Trail effort for the whole area
• publish the offline version of the main map in Avenza, geo-referenced version not requiring cell service
• provide yearly volunteer hours to support funding for a dedicated High Lakes OHV patrols and projects
• prepare for the upcoming “High Lakes Management Plan Update” process - out to bid again this summer
• have a plan to get the gravel back out of the Stair Steps, once the trail contractors are done needing to get equipment through there.

What We Have Accomplished​​

this rock is at least 2 feet deep

• handed out thousands of spill kits
• shepherded through a $200k NEPA project to protect the lakes
• ​moved hundreds of tons of rock to armor trails
• shepherded through a $750k Trails Maintenance project finishing this year
• got the 25N05 entrance road (Smokin' Duck Rd - look at the map) changed to a "Motorized Mixed-Use" status making it legal for OHV, not just street-legal vehicles
• shepherded through a replacement bridge across Jackass Creek on the Tobin switchbacks
• have had 3 “hazard tree removal” projects after fires to make trail maintenance easier
• built a well-maintained ham radio repeater system for emergencies
• commented and attended meetings for Over-The-Snow use in the LNF planning process
• had the alternative 611 entrance approved and built in case we lose our LLA privileges​
• provided yearly volunteer hours to support funding for a dedicated High Lakes OHV patrols
• have some money in the bank, enough to pay for several years operations