Singletrack Summits: Where Trail Communities Gather
Marin Trail Stewards at the Northern California Singletrack Summit in Redding, CA
In March, three representatives from Marin Trail Stewards traveled north to join fellow trail advocates, builders, and land managers at the Northern California Singletrack Summit—an annual regional gathering hosted by the California Mountain Biking Coalition and the Redding Trail Alliance.
Representing MTS were Gabby Huffman (Board Member), Taylor Millar (Trail Builder), and Stephen McDaniel (Board President). They returned not just with new ideas and skills, but with a renewed sense of energy and connection to the broader trail community.
Why Summits Like This Matter
At its core, the regional Singletrack Summits are about bringing together people who care deeply about trails. It’s a space where organizations (some long-established, others just getting started) can share their experiences, challenges, and successes.
The takeaway is simple but powerful: no matter where an organization is in its journey, there’s always something to learn…and something to offer. Whether it’s insights into navigating land manager relationships, creative approaches to volunteer engagement, or lessons from trail design and maintenance, the collective knowledge in the room is invaluable.
And just as important as the learning is the connection. These summits create space to meet new people, strengthen relationships, and build a network of like-minded stewards who are all working toward better trail access and experiences.
A Weekend of Learning, Riding, and Connecting
Friday the Singletrack Summit kicked off with a hands-on trail workshop. This year focused on a Dozer and Mini-Excavator demo. For many attendees, this was a rare opportunity to gain exposure to equipment that’s not always accessible, offering a deeper understanding of modern trail-building techniques.
After the workshop, participants joined a field tour alongside land managers (on bikes, of course) bringing conversations out onto the trails themselves. The day wrapped up the way most trail days do: with a well-earned happy hour. Because if there’s one universal truth, it’s that trail people love coming together over a good craft beer.
Saturday shifted into a full day of presentations and breakout discussions, covering everything from organizational growth to stewardship strategies. After sessions, there was time to ride, connect, and continue conversations out on the dirt. The evening closed with a community BBQ that brought everyone together out at camp.
Sunday was the grand finale: a group ride celebration hosted by Redding Trail Alliance. Attendees had the chance to ride two brand-new trails, Upper Ono and Doqos, marking a major milestone for the local trail community and a fitting way to wrap up the weekend.
Coming Back Recharged
One of the most meaningful aspects of the summit wasn’t just the knowledge gained, but it was the feeling of being part of something bigger. Spending time with passionate, driven people who care about trails as much as we do is energizing. It’s a reminder that while each organization operates in its own community, we’re all connected by a shared mission.
Interestingly, California Mountain Biking Coalition noted that some trail organization leaders couldn’t attend because they were too busy. But that’s exactly why gatherings like this matter. Taking the time to step away, ride bikes, connect with peers, and decompress isn’t a distraction from the work, it’s what helps sustain it!
The Marin Trail Stewards team returned home feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to bring new ideas back to our board, our builders, and our community.
