2023 Volunteers of the Year

Michael Kauffmann – Post Author

Board Member

Michael is the president and founder of the Bigfoot Trail Alliance.

In 2018 I met Karen and Les at the trailhead before our trek into the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness–the first Bigfoot Trail Alliance volunteer work outing. It was my rookie season and I was nervous about leading a group of volunteers into the depths of this vast wilderness along a trail that, literally, disappears around every turn.

Little did I know at the time, but Karen and Les were professional trail work volunteers. What they brought to this first trip, and have to many trips since, was a level of expertise that weaves together experiences with other trail work groups across the West and their own wonderful perspective on what it means to be a volunteer in the wilderness.

Cumulatively since 2018 Karen and Les have each volunteered over 200 hours along the Bigfoot Trail. Beyond that they have brought a love of the natural world, compelling stories of numerous wilderness trips, and a great perspective on what it means to spend time in wild places. For that, we are forever grateful. What follows is a Q&A with Karen and Les, exploring their world as volunteers.

How did you get into volunteer trail work?

Our first volunteer trail work started back in the 1990’s, helping to construct a section of the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail in western Calaveras County.  On Saturdays in the winter months we worked under the direction of East Bay Municipal Utility District employee Steve Diers.  Over the years Steve oversaw the construction of 32 miles of trail through the EBMUD watershed lands and established a very successful volunteer crew known as the “Mokelumne Trailbusters.”  In 2011 he won a well-deserved lifetime achievement award from the California Trails and Greenways Conference.  We were lucky to start out in trail work with someone as fun and dedicated as Steve Diers.  

How many trips per year do you generally attend for all trail organizations?

Most years we typically join 4 to 6 volunteer trail crews. We have come to prefer backcountry trips but occasionally attend projects where participants car-camp.  In 2023 we volunteered on 5 multi-day trail crews, 3 of which were with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance.

Do you have a favorite BFTA trip and why?

We have especially fond memories of BFTA’s 2021 Trinity Alps Wilderness trip based at Rush Creek Lake. Our basecamp was well off the beaten-track and very idyllic. We had the Lake to ourselves.  The trail work was challenging but the crew’s accomplishments felt hugely rewarding.  Plus there were perks, like summiting Packers Peak, enjoying its incredible views and picnicking by its grove of Foxtail Pines.  In no time at all Rush Creek Lake felt like home. The crew seemed like an extended family.  We didn’t want to leave.  

What do you recommend to folks interested in volunteering with the BFTA for the first time?

For those considering joining a BFTA trail crew we recommend that you take the plunge.  You can join solo or come with friend/family. Either way you will be welcomed as a valued member of the team.  If you are new to trail work you might want to start out with a car-camping based trip.  That way you can get a feel for the tools, the work and the demands of hiking to and from the worksite without the added complexity of backpacking. 

Join our volunteer list or support our work (or both!)

Ways to support our work:

• Donate to the campaign (tax deductible receipt will be emailed to you)
• Make a simple donation (receipt will be emailed)
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• Sign up to volunteer with us.
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