Groups like the Carson Valley Trails Association are making trail access a reality in Douglas County. Volunteers contributed more than 4,000 hours building trails and installing signs and kiosks, mostly on the Genoa Trails Project, which now boasts 16 miles of new trail almost ready to open in the spring. When complete, the Discovery Trail will stretch about seven miles along the base of the Carson Range above Genoa.

The Sierra Canyon Trail will climb the range with 3,500 feet of elevation gain in less than 10 miles of tight switchbacks to connect Genoa with the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Besides locals enjoying the trails, coordinated systems can help boost the economy. A 2009 study for the University of Minnesota found that trail users in the northeast region of that state spent $628 million, and that spending supported thousands of jobs. Nearly three-quarters of that money was spent by visitors from outside the area.