Guiding Opportunities with the TRTA

Thr TRTA is always looking for enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides to help people enjoy the trail. If you love the Rim Trail and want to share your passion for hiking and backpacking with others, we encourage you to attend our Annual Regional Guide Training, as well as review the Guide Qualifications. TRTA Volunteer Guides are extraordinary people who love to spend time in the outdoors and show others how to have safe and fun hiking experiences. TRTA guides are dedicated to the mission of the organization, and promote wilderness ethics and stewardship on each and every hike.

After completing the TRTA's Guide Training and meeting the other necessary qualifications, you will begin to train on short public hikes led by experienced, Level 2 guides who will show you the ropes and allow you to practice guiding in the lead and sweep. Some new guides will quickly complete the Guide-In-Training checklist based on their prior experience and comfort level. It may be necessary for you to shadow 3 - 4 hikes before you feel comfortable, and a Level 2 guide feels that you are ready to begin officially guiding.

Public Hikes and Snowshoe Treks
The TRTA offers a wide range of day hikes for people of all levels and abilities. This is where you get to be creative! We need guided hikes of all types and lengths. Whether it’s a 12 mile day hike or a two mile, leisurely bird walk – there’s something for you. The TRTA will schedule most of these hikes, but you also have the opportunity as a TRTA volunteer guide to create your own hikes. You will be asked to complete a hike description form, which will not only help you to prepare for your hike and consider important details, but will also provide the TRTA with the necessary information to market your hike to the public. Public hikes are free, and are offered throughout the year with the exception of November, December, and March - May. In the winter months, these hikes become snowshoe treks that are offered at several locations around Lake Tahoe on the Tahoe Rim Trail. There is a winter guide training that is mandatory for guides to attend if they want to lead winter snowshoe treks.

Full Moon Hikes
These are incredibly popular hikes and fill up fast! We would love to expand the number of full moon hikes that we offer and provide additional full moon hikes around the lake. Currently, our full moon hikes all start at the Tahoe Meadows Trailhead, but we hope to begin offering them in other locations around the Basin. These hikes are take place from January – March and then from July – October and are for TRTA members only.

Segment Hiking Programs
Segment Hiking Programs offer people the opportunity to complete the Tahoe Rim Trail in a summer. The segment hikes take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Program participants sign-up to hike one segment a week for eight weeks to complete the 165-mile trail. Group size is limited to 12 people, and a shuttle service is included. Segment hikes begin in June and end in late August with the option to participate in a two-night backpacking trip through the Desolation Wilderness segment.  Segment Hike guides must be in excellent physical condition, able to complete a 23-mile segment comfortably and capable of finishing stronger than participants.

Annual Thru Hikes
The Annual Thru Hikes are an important event for the TRTA, as they involve guiding participants on a two-week thru hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail.  Three senior guides are given preference, as they have worked their way up and waited their turn to guide on the Thru Hike. Thru Hike guides must be skilled leaders of people, technically proficient backcountry travelers, and excellent team players who are patient and realize they are on duty around the clock for 14 days.  This is truly a remarkable way to donate your time to the TRTA, as you provide an incredible service to the particpants who are embarking on a life-changing journey.