2026 Docent Hike Program

2026 Sign Up Form

• We are working on an orientation for new docents prior to beginning their docent services. We will attempt to schedule an orientation hike early in the season. In the first year, new docents will not lead hikes but provide assistance.

• All docents must read over the Orientation Refresher information to be aware of any changes in the program since they last lead/co-lead a hike.

• All docents commit to lead/co-lead a minimum of two hikes per year (and as many as you like) with dates of your choosing.

• All docents must respond promptly to communications from Land Trust via phone calls or e-mail. At the trailhead at the beginning of each hike, docents must sign a release of liability and a grant of permission to use your photograph in promoting the docent program and other Land Trust activities (this is the same document that the hikers sign).

• If you are unable to make a hike that you signed up for, please notify Bailey Sheridan (bailey@tdlandtrust.org) as soon as possible so that we can find someone to fill the spot.

Hike Leader:
Manages the check-in procedure and walks at the front of the group. The leader welcomes hikes as they arrive. Check-in consists of having each hiker and docent sign the waiver form. The leader gathers the hikers and docents together once everyone has arrived (late arrivals can be checked in during the hike and informed of any pertinent information). All hikers and docents introduce themselves. The leader then gives a pre-hike talk about the land trust (this can be delegated). A copy of the Sierra checkerboard can be used for illustration. The history of the area can be presented here or at a break during the hike or not at all!

An overview of the hike is given, the map of the hike can be passed around. Hikers are told to stay ahead of the sweep and behind the leader. The leader can distribute flower charts to interested hikers and any other literature. The leader makes any on-the-trail decisions about proceeding should difficulties arise.

Sweep:
Docent who is at the back of the group. This person waits while hikers go off trail to toilet. The sweep is ALWAYS the last person in the group. Extra docents distribute themselves among the hikers to be available for questions, etc.

Pick up/ Drop off Docent Supplies:
Docent who will pick up the materials from the land trust office, this is arranged once the names of the docents on a given hike are distributed. The drop off after the hike also needs to be coordinated.

Before the Hike
About ten days prior to your hike, you will receive the names and contact information for the other docents on the hike. You will be asked to confirm that you can attend the hike.

• Reach out to your fellow docents after receiving this info to coordinate

• Responsibilities during hike: Leader(s) and Sweep, any talking points decisions

• Picking up/dropping off materials from the Land Trust office. This also includes setting up and removing the signs.

• Directing parking (in the cases where it is not obvious)

• Discuss scheduling a pre-hike with the docents or a mentor

• Discuss the meeting time and location and possibilities of carpooling

• It is a good practice to download to your phone the trail details from All Trails or GAIA or any other trail app you use

• All docents should pre-hike the route to be confident about the trail condition and wayfinding. On the pre-hike, check the cell service for your phone along the way so you know where you can call from

Day of the Hike —Required Items for Docents

• Fully charged cell phones

• First Aid Kit (from Land Trust office)

• Bug spray and sunscreen (from Land Trust office)

• Clipboard (from Land Trust office address) with:

• Release of Liability forms with participants names

• Map of hike

• Info of hike (flower, bird charts, etc.)

• Field Emergency Response Plan

• Directional Signs (from Land Trust office)

Day of the Hike—Pre-Hike Overview Before starting the hike

• Welcome all hikers, introduce docents

• Have all hikers (and docents) sign in (which includes the waiver of liability) on the provided sign in sheet.

• Talk about the Truckee Donner Land Trust

• Provide an overview of the hike including (share map):

• Discuss clothing and equipment needed/suggested—e.g. bug spray, appropriate footwear, hats, sunscreen, food and water, hiking poles

• Encourage hikers to speak to the docent privately with any concerns. Use your judgement as to whether to adjust the hike (for example, breaking into groups) or suggest that a hiker not participate.

• Hikers must stay behind the lead docent and in front of the sweep.

• Hikers who go off the trail for toileting must leave a hat or backpack or jacket on the trail. The sweep docent will not pass the item left on the trail and wait for the hiker to return.

• If hikers cannot complete the hike (too tired, timing issues), or of hikers choose to continue hiking on their own, they must notify the lead docent.

• Because these are group hikes, we cannot accommodate all paces. If hikers want to go faster or slower than the group, they can elect to break off and do so, as long as they notify a docent. If there are enough docents (2 per group) the hike can be broken into 2 groups. It is always an option for hikers to stop along the trail and wait to be picked up by the group on the return.

• Hikers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

• No dogs are permitted on any docent led hike.

Day of the Hike —During the Hike

The leader must be prepared to readjust or terminate the hike as necessary during the hike:

• Hypothermia/over-heating in group

• Proper hydration/eating

• Thunderstorms

• Smoke

• Group dynamic is irreparably poor.

Day of the Hike —At the End of the Hike

• Thank people for coming and remind them of other hiking opportunities

• Collect flower charts, etc.

• One docent to return materials to the TDLT office

‍Smoke Policy
TDLT's approach to air quality is based on AirNow.gov; an objective, independent, official government agency that assesses and publishes air quality value.

https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Truckee&state=CA&country=USA

When theAQI (Air Quality Index) is 150 or over the day before, the hike is cancelled.

When theAQI is between 100 and 150, the docents for the will make a judgement call, based on the specific conditions in the hike zone and the composition of the hiking group.

A broadcast email will be sent if the hike has to be cancelled. A docent will be at the trailhead at the planned start of hike to inform hikers who may have missed the notification email. It is our highest priority to ensure a safe, happy and healthy hiking experience.

Rain Policy
If rain is predicted for a hike, an email will be sent to the hikers a few days in advance notifying them of the possibility and asking them to check their email the morning of the hike to confirm that is will go forward.

The evening before the hike, the docents will communicate and make a judgement call as to whether to cancel the hike or not.

A broadcast email will be sent if the hike has to be cancelled. A docent will be at the trailhead at the planned start of hike to inform hikers who may have missed the notification email.