Sweepstakes

When asked if we knew we could build the trail that was going to become sweepstakes, my answer has been that we were ignorantly optimistic. Once you ride or hike this 5 mile trail that calls the rugged and rocky terrain, carved out by East Weaver Creek flowing from high up on Weaver Bally, it’s home, you will understand why. Like all trails, Sweepstakes began with an idea and that idea came from our Executive Directors head. When asked to help plan the new trails lower down in the Weaver Basin forest, such as Blue and Black Lead, Nate said he would help, if they were able to include a shuttle accessible trail in the plan. So starting as high up as feasibly possible on Weaver Bally before encountering the wilderness area, the sweepstakes trail plan was born. We rushed to lay out the trail on the ground so that the appropriate environmental surveys could be done to include it in the NEPA along with the trails lower on the mountain.

Construction began late in 2021 and was funded by a local philanthropist, Craig Muir. Craig many investments in the town of Weaverville had included the restoration and reopening of the movie theater, funding the Trinity County Brewing Company, and now a shuttle accessible trail that hopefully will help put Weaverville on the map as a mountain bike destination. Construction was done primarily by Stu the Brown plow followed by our mini ex and a hand crew for finish work. Our crew was comprised of a mix of RTA, Watershed Center and Forest Service employees and volunteers.